Contrary to popular belief, senior living is more than just a home for older adults to play bingo and reminisce about “the good old days.” Modern senior living communities are more like resorts with something new to do every day, fun and festive events, and an emphasis on wellness and an active lifestyle. To best understand what 21st-century senior living is really like, here’s an inside look at how senior living residents spend their day.
How senior living residents spend a typical day
Rise and shine!
Just like at home, senior living residents rise when they want and get ready for another fun day. For residents of assisted living and memory care, staff arrive to lend a hand with dressing, personal care, and medication management, and may also help residents get to breakfast in the dining room.
At breakfast it’s time to refuel, enjoy the chef-inspired menu options and get together with friends to make plans for the day ahead. Since residents of The Timbers on Blackwell Creek are also members of nearby Big Canoe these plans could include an exercise or yoga class, a spa treatment, a game of golf, tennis, or pickleball, or an invigorating swim in the pool or beautiful Lake Disharoon.
The morning is also a great time to play games like chess in the game room, visit the library, or head to the craft room to work on an art or craft project. For those who want to kick back a little, they can meet up with friends at the Bistro for a snack and conversation.
Senior living residents in memory care enjoy some of the same options but with the added support and oversight of skilled staff. Since security is of the utmost importance staff are always close by to help residents get where they need to go safely and to participate in activities designed to engage them and help minimize symptoms of dementia like physical or occupational therapy. For a look at how important these and other therapies can be, check out the medicalnewstoday.com article, “What to know about dementia therapies.”
Mid-day and afternoon opportunities
As noon approaches, senior living residents may return to their apartments for medications or join friends in the dining room for a wonderful lunch and another opportunity to socialize and enjoy the camaraderie that’s part of life in a senior living community.
After lunch, senior living residents may retire to their apartments for a power nap, or to call or email friends and family. Early afternoon is also a great time to get outdoors and enjoy all the amenities of Big Canoe or just rest on the patio and take in the scenery.
In many senior living communities, afternoons are often the time for planned events like local entertainers and classes, club meetings, and excursions to local venues like shopping malls, museums, and festivals that are enriching and invigorating. As the day lengthens, another option is fishing in Big Canoe’s well-stocked Lake Petit or a leisurely boat ride with friends.
Whether in assisted living or memory care, senior living residents have many choices designed to help them stay active, involved, and healthy. As noted in the humangood.org article, “The Advantages of a Senior Living Community,” senior living residents not only have fun but also benefit from the peace of mind that comes with living in a safe, supportive, and welcoming environment.
When the day is done
Winding down from a busy day begins with dinner, another nutritious and delicious meal served in the formal dining room. Many senior living residents of The Timbers on Blackwell Creek also choose dinner time for a special family gathering in the private dining room to celebrate a birthday, anniversary, or other milestone. After dinner senior living residents may take in a movie in the theater, stroll along the groomed paths, or relax and watch the sun go down with friends on the patio.
The end of the day is especially important for residents of memory care because it can signal what is known as “sundown syndrome.” According to the clevelandclinic.org article “Sundown Syndrome,” at this time there can be an uptick in dementia symptoms that may include pacing or rocking, wandering, shadowing, behaviors like crying and yelling, and emotional changes including anger, sadness, anxiety, fear, and irritability. For these senior living residents, staff are always on hand to help so each resident can head to bed calm, soothed, and ready for a good night’s sleep.
To understand when senior living is the best choice, read our blog, “Spot the Signs: Is It Time for a Loved One to Move to Senior Living?”. For more information about The Timbers on Blackwell Creek, download your brochure and speak to an advisor.
