For many people over the age of 60, comfort is the name of the game. By the time you’ve reached these golden years, you might think most of your opportunities to try new things are behind you. You may not even want to try anything new anymore! After all, you know what you like and don’t like, right? Why try something new when it might feel uncomfortable, or even scary?
As it turns out, trying new things actually benefits seniors’ physical, mental, and psychological health! Many studies have shown that for older adults, novelty is nourishment. This means that trying new environments, new activities, and new social groups leads to healthier aging and tons of benefits. These benefits include better physical health and fitness, better memory, sharper thinking, and improved mood and happiness, to name just a few.
The idea of moving to senior living can cause some seniors anxiety and discomfort. Moving away from your home and neighborhood, making new friends, changing your routine, and having to try new things can feel daunting and even stressful. However, while these changes can be uncomfortable, they can also lead to huge improvements in your health and happiness. One study showed that older adults in senior living communities had significantly better health. This included fewer admissions to the emergency room, as well as fewer inpatient hospital stays due to illnesses and injuries (source).
But it’s not just your physical health that could benefit from senior living–there are enormous psychological and mental health benefits, too! One recent survey showed that 85% of residents made new friends after moving to a senior living community. They also had reduced feelings of loneliness, were more physically active, enjoyed more activities, and found more meaning and purpose in life (source).
Carolyn’s Story
It’s not easy to take the leap and make a major life change, but it might pay off in a big way. A resident of Broadway Proper, a 55+ community in Tucson, Arizona, Carolyn Short is a great example of a senior who was willing to try something new. Because she has epilepsy and the health issues associated with it, she continued to live at home with her parents throughout her adult life. In fact, Carolyn was 62 years old before her parents’ declining health prompted her to move to an assisted living community. She would be living on her own for the first time, a huge life change. Naturally, this transition was a little scary for Carolyn.
Even after moving into Broadway Proper, Carolyn continued to struggle with the anxiety and the discomfort of change. It wasn’t until Raymond Mensing (Guest Services Manager) and the rest of the team at Broadway Proper encouraged her to get out of her apartment and participate in group activities that things started to change. Gentle encouragement from the staff at Broadway Proper helped her find her footing in activities that she actually enjoyed, like Wii Bowling and Table Tennis. These group activities helped her form friends and relationships, and those connections allowed her to move past her fear and insecurity.
Eventually, Carolyn actually became an Ambassador for Broadway Proper, a resident who helps new community members find their way. She even helped a resident who is blind learn to play Wii Bowling! For years, Carolyn has continued to have a positive impact on the residents at Broadway Proper. She is open about her challenges and growth, and she strives to make sure no resident ever feels alone.
Take the Leap!
Take it from Carolyn: trying new things might be hard, but it’s also one of the best things you can do. Carolyn was able to go from someone who was afraid to even make eye contact with others, to someone positively impacting the lives of countless residents through her friendship. None of this would have been possible if she hadn’t been willing to take the leap and try something new, even when it was far out of her comfort zone.
Are you willing to take the leap and give that scary new thing a shot? If you’re considering senior living, don’t let fear of the unknown stop you from what you could do and become. Tour a Stellar Living Community near you and see what you’re missing today!
Source material for this post was originally published by Raymond Mensing in Liv Fun magazine, an archived Leisure Care publication.
