Social interaction is very important for our mental health. It can help prevent depression, which is widespread among seniors. In fact, some studies show that up to “20 percent of the population over 70 years of age suffer from depression. There are many causes, but it’s often made worse by the fact that people who were once active now spend much of their time alone.” The National Institute on aging says “Social relationships are consistently associated with biomarkers of health. For example, people who are lonely frequently have elevated systolic blood pressure.” Not only does social interaction help us stay happy and keep a good attitude. It keeps us healthy and boosts our quality of life. Most of us have many opportunities for social interaction. We go to work, school, church, maybe even lunch with a friend. In assisted living, there are fewer options when it comes to talking with people. Here at Bel Aire Senior Living, we want to offer each of our residents the highest quality of life possible, so we focus on planning exciting and meaningful events and activities.
A fun activity or outing is a good reason to get out and participate. Each month our Life Enrichment Coordinators Andrea and Kailia create a calendar with a variety of activities. We have musical programs, outings, crafts, exercise, brain stimulating games, and of course BINGO. These, along with many other activities, get our residents out and socializing. We try to engage as many residents as possible in our activities, but not everyone enjoys going out in large groups. To ensure we meet everyone’s needs we schedule time on our calendar for one-on-one visits. These visits are for residents that don’t enjoy the large group activities.
These visits are scheduled once or twice each week. They are perfect for residents that have a hard time getting to activities or enjoy more individual interaction. Andrea and Kailia make it a priority to personalize the time, and it varies with each resident. They visit, file nails, read, or help them with other activities. Kailia says “I love one-on-ones because it’s a chance to let each person in the building know that I am thinking of them. Besides making sure everyone has interaction, it’s clear that they appreciate to know that someone comes to visit because they are on our mind.” one-on-one visits allow each one of our residents to enjoy a personal connection inside their comfort zone, and give us a chance to show them how much we enjoy and care for them.
If you would like to learn more about our one-on-one visits and other activities stop by or give us a call!
Bel Aire Senior Living in American Fork
801.763.0622
1088 E 390 S
American Fork, UT 84003