When it comes to healthy aging, the checklist seems endless—you’re supposed to keep your body active, engage your mind, and maintain your social connections. While the benefits to your overall well-being make the effort worthwhile, senior living is often perceived as a time for fewer responsibilities. The good news is that in a retirement community, you can indeed have the best of both worlds. Moving to a retirement community gives older adults easy access to diverse, enriching activities tailored to their interests, abilities, personal care needs, and nutritious meals in a welcoming and social environment.
Here are 6 ways senior living can promote healthy aging:
- Connect socially with like-minded peers: People are social creatures by nature, and our levels of social interaction can affect how we age. Research shows that older adults who form new social ties and contacts report improved physical and psychological health. Other studies have linked social isolation and loneliness to high blood pressure, heart disease, a weakened immune system, anxiety, depression, and cognitive decline.
- Keep your mind fit with a variety of intellectual activities on offer: Seniors can help maintain their cognitive function and reduce the risk of dementia by engaging in brain-stimulating activities like reading, puzzles and games. Learning a new skill or taking a class can also be helpful, as it challenges the brain and promotes mental flexibility.
- Cross-train by participating in physical activity classes or utilizing amenities like pools and workout equipment: Regular exercise has been proven to actively combat the deteriorating effects of aging, improving strength, balance, and endurance. Choosing from a diverse menu of recreational activities such as dance, walking clubs, yoga, tai chi, stretch and relaxation, and gentle exercise classes makes age-appropriate cross-training easy.
- Enjoy tasty, nutritious meal options to improve your mood: One of the most important factors in healthy aging is what we eat. A nutritious, balanced diet can help seniors maintain a healthy weight, stave off chronic diseases, boost immunity, fortify bones and muscles, strengthen the cardiovascular system and generate the energy they need to stay active.
- Make a difference by helping others: Residents can take advantage of opportunities to volunteer in their local communities or in the world at large and gain a strong sense of meaning and purpose.
- Benefit from personal care and support services as needed: A retirement community can provide the level of personal care and support that a resident may want or need. Family caregivers can be assured of quality care and support for their loved one, while having the time and space to take care of their own health and wellness.
Chartwell’s Open House – January 19 & 20
What better way to understand senior living than to visit a Chartwell retirement residence to experience the lifestyle for yourself? On Jan. 19 and 20, Chartwell is hosting an Open House, where you can drop into any of their retirement residences across the country between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Plus, for a limited time, claim your exclusive MOVE-IN OFFER during the event! Conditions apply. For more information, click the button below.
The complete guide to aging well in a retirement community
Are you ready to embark on a transformative journey of healthy aging for yourself or your loved ones? Download our exclusive guide, “Aging Well: A Comprehensive Guide to Healthy Aging for Canadian Seniors,” and discover practical insights, expert advice, and lifestyle adjustments to enhance your quality of life.
