Companionship for Seniors: How Community Life Eases Loneliness
Independent Living (IL) doesn't have to stop you from living a full and social life. With a supportive community, you'll have access to many activities, events, social gatherings, and common areas all intended to help foster companionship for seniors.
With 37% of seniors saying they feel a lack of companionship in their lives, finding a fulfilling senior community in Midland (28 minutes from Odessa) is vital. Participating in these kinds of things can offset issues like depression and loneliness.
To prove the positive role IL can have on your retirement, we're here to show you all of the ways we help provide companionship opportunities for our Polo Park Estates residents.
What Is Companionship for the Elderly?
Companionship can mean any number of things, depending on a person's view of the term. In general, it means socialization in all its forms. It's a way to feel closer through interaction with other people.
Whether you're interested in romantic or platonic relationships, socialization is vital for healthy aging. Regular companionship helps with:
- Preventing depression and loneliness
- Lower stress
- Increase confidence and happiness
- Improve cognitive function
- Improve memory
- Increase vocabulary and communication
Engaging Activities
At Polo Park Estates, we want to help seniors avoid loneliness in aging at all costs. That's why we fill our activities calendar with opportunities for our residents to interact in a variety of ways.
We achieve this by offering exciting activities like:
- Card games
- VR experiences
- Bingo
- Walking groups
- Crafting
- Yoga classes
- Billiards
With such a wide array of activities to choose from, seniors won't feel forced to do something they're not interested in.
Instead, they can pick the activities they love so they can interact with other seniors who love that activity too. This makes the entire experience better for everyone and leads to more fulfilling social interaction.
Social Events
When it comes to senior social life, it can often feel limiting. Where should you go to be social with other people? Will you feel comfortable or out of place?
We make sure to host social gatherings for seniors to have an easy way to interact without those worries. Some of our most popular social events include:
- Coctail hour
- Cardio and conversation exercises
- Weekly 42 tournaments
- Meditation and music groups
- Fandango senior socials
Religious Gatherings
Spirituality and religion can bring a positive impact to people of all ages. It's no surprise that religious gatherings are a meaningful way for seniors to socialize and interact.
Our senior community makes a point to provide the space for seniors to practice their religions. With weekly prayer circles and church services within easy reach, seniors don't have to go out of their way for their religious needs.
Welcoming Common Areas
If you're in an IL community that doesn't include common areas you feel comfortable using, then it's time to consider finding another community. Without the use of common areas, it can be difficult to continue building companionship with other residents.
Our lounge, for instance, is often used as a welcoming space for residents to meet with one another and chat. They don't feel as though they're intruding because we make certain everyone knows that the area is meant for them.
We encourage residents to use the common areas as much as they want, which helps our community feel more cohesive and family-like.
Dining Experiences
Eating healthy is only one part of senior wellness. Eating in silence can enhance feelings of loneliness and even diminish a senior's appetite.
Each dining experience should allow a senior to feel at ease and give them opportunities to chat with other residents. With food created by a team of experts, there shouldn't be anything stopping seniors from having a full dining experience every meal.
At Polo Park Estates, we work with seniors to create meals that make them excited to sit down while also presenting them with a social opportunity to keep mealtime feeling energetic and fun.
Compassionate Staff
Do you feel comfortable talking to your IL staff? Have you avoided asking for help at any time due to a sense of awkwardness or hostility?
A compassionate staff in IL is as important as making friends with other residents. They should represent a helpful option when necessary without taking away your agency.
Our staff offers support during your retirement, but they make a special effort not to intrude on your independence. They'll assist with housekeeping chores and maintenance, but you'll still keep to keep that sense of privacy inside your senior apartments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where Is the Best Place for Seniors to Make Friends?
Making friends can feel tricky at first, but the key is to go to different places and find people with similar interests and goals. Great places to start could be:
- Local restaurants and cafés
- Senior centers
- Libraries
- Classes and lectures
- Parks
- Clubs and social groups
Plus, by making friends in IL, it'll feel less overwhelming to make friends outside of your IL community. You could even mix the two friend groups to make something truly inclusive and unique.
What Is the 80/20 Rule in Friendships?
A good support network should consist of people who add positivity to your life. It's a common misconception that you need hundreds of friends to feel the "right" kind of companionship.
Instead, try to view your friendships through the lens of the 80/20 rule.
Around 80% of the needed companionship for a healthy life will often be provided by only around 20% of your social network. This means that the number of friends doesn't matter as much as the quality of those relationships.
Promoting Physical and Mental Wellness With Companionship for Seniors
Finding companionship for seniors doesn't have to be a difficult feat. With the right senior community, you'll find making friends is easier than ever before.
Polo Park Estates Senior Living is a Midland senior community that ensures easy socialization has an honored spot in every activity, exercise, amenity, and service we provide. We want our residents to find friendship and companionship during retirement without unnecessary stress. Our supportive services can aid you on your journey to better physical, mental, and emotional wellness.
Want to learn more about our thriving senior community? Contact Polo Park Estates today to start the transition process right away!