Free from the burden of working, senior citizens residing in retirement communities now have the opportunity to pursue a relaxing lifestyle. The facilities engage them by catering to their interests by offering a wide selection of fun activities such as outdoor exercise, orchestra concerts, and arts and crafts. The purpose of these events and functions is to encourage residents to get involved for the sake of building social connections and mental stimulation.
Why Is It Important for Seniors to Connect With Others?
Social capital, as researchers call it, is the ability for a person to trust, connect, and work with others. A high social capital is important for the elderly as it helps them stay active and engaged with life. Activities found in retirement communities that promote interaction with others increase one’s social capital. There are some days where residents will be escorted outdoors to enjoy a picnic, art museum, or theatre performance. Daily exercise routines that are meant to target balance, flexibility, and excitement through dance can also bring seniors closer together. Regardless of the activity, there is sure to be someone a person connects with either due to similar interests or mindsets.
Continuing Education Is Important for Mental Stimulation
Alongside aches, pains, and illness, the way an older person thinks also begins to change. It may seem normal to misplace items or lose a train of thought as a person ages. However, seniors do not have to settle for this way of life. Furthermore, frequent episodes of forgetfulness can point to a more serious problem such as dementia. The reason that seniors suffer from memory lapse is because the brain gradually loses volume throughout life. Nerve cells shrink, losing connection with other cells (causing memory lapse), and blood flow tends to slow down in the brain. It is highly encouraged for seniors to stimulate their minds constantly through learning or playing a challenging game to prevent or slow this process down.
Retirement communities offer solutions to combat these conditions through continuing education courses. These are created using affiliations with local colleges. Though returning to school does not have to be just about studying math or science. There are other fun classes that residents can take to learn about social issues, languages, and painting. For more leisurely activities, community centers may offer a library for quiet reading, or other rooms that host games like Bingo or a pool table.
Last, there are classes specifically focused on training the ability to recall memory for residents who may be having difficulty in that area.
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