The holidays are all about family. It’s a time to come together and celebrate the festive season, taking part in old traditions and creating new ones.
So with that said, it might seem counterintuitive to think of this time of year as the right time to consider senior living, either for yourself or a loved one, but there’s no time like the present.
Below are five reasons why the holidays are the perfect time to consider senior living:
Fitness: During the winter months, it can be tough to go outside for a walk, or drive to the gym. But in a senior living community, fitness is right outside your front door even in the dead of winter. If you need to work off that Thanksgiving dinner, a senior living community will have the team and the programming to help you do it. And the fitness coaches are educated in the best practices for older adults, tailoring the workouts to your comfort and ability.
No More Housework: Speaking of that Thanksgiving dinner – what if you no longer had to be responsible for the cooking and cleaning? By moving to a senior living community, the team takes care of all preparation and clean up, leaving you able to just enjoy a delicious holiday meal with no stress. And for those in an independent living community, such as the one at Colonial Vista Senior Living, apartments have full kitchens so if you want to make a holiday favorite, you can.
Camaraderie: The holidays can exacerbate feeling of loneliness or isolation in older adults. A study by the AARP found that “28 percent of U.S. adults ages 50 and older report that they’ve felt lonely during a holiday season over the past five years, and nearly half (43%) have worried about a friend or family member who was lonely during the holidays.”
In senior living, you have a vibrant community right there ready to welcome you in and join the fun. Around the holidays, that might mean singing carols together, watching classic holiday movies or spoiling each other’s grandchildren.
Relaxation: Odds are that you or your loved one has spent years taking care of others. Now, it’s time for you to be taken care of. A senior living community has a team to help residents with all their needs. For some that might include bathing, dressing and other activities of daily living. For others, their needs might be at a lower level. But there’s a team there ready to help you make the most of life.
Having Backup: We’re approaching gift-giving season, and what better gift is there than peace of mind? With a care team right there in the community, they can be the first line of defense for any health issues or emergencies that arise. That team can also notice changes in health over time and help make appointments with physicians to address them before they get worse. Given that those interventions aren’t possible when someone is living at home alone, it’s peace of mind for the residents and their families.
Noticing Changes in a Loved One
The new year can be the busiest time of year at senior living communities – often families are gathering for the first time in months, or even a year, and suddenly they see the health changes in a loved one for the first time, and it can be jarring.
If your family is seeing a loved one’s health diminish, along with making an appointment with a physician, it might be time to consider senior living.
You can start by touring communities, where you’ll be able to learn more about the programming, the people, and the environment. You will likely also be able to have a meal during your tour to get a taste, literally, of life at that community.
Holiday Fun at Colonia Vista Senior Living
At Colonial Vista Senior Living the holidays are a time of joy, celebration and connection.
From delicious holiday meals to decorations and games, our team creates a welcoming, festive environment for residents.
To learn more, call us at (509) 436-1580 or schedule a visit here.
