In a June 2023 post, South Carolina Public Radio revealed that 37% of the state’s older population (65 or older) live alone. The post further stated how social isolation and being alone late in life can impact seniors’ physical and mental health.
So, if you or an elderly loved one lives alone, staying socially active by keeping in touch with friends or other family members and meeting new people is vital. Transitioning to a highly-rated senior living community in Rock Hill, SC, such as TerraBella Rock Hill, is also wise. Here, residents enjoy daily engaging and stimulating social activities for seniors.
But why exactly is socialization crucial, and how does it benefit senior health?
In this guide, we’ll explore the perks of senior engagement and socialization in more detail. Read on to discover what they are and the events and activities you can expect from TerraBella Rock Hill.
Combat Loneliness
Social isolation, characterized by a lack of contact with others and feeling emotionally disconnected, can give rise to loneliness. Loneliness is a highly distressing, unpleasant feeling of being alone. According to Verywell Mind, both, particularly if prolonged, can adversely affect a person’s mental and physical health.
Some of the potential effects of isolation and loneliness include:
- Increased stress levels
- Changes in the brain that could increase one risk for mental health conditions
- Higher risk for depression
- Heart disease
In our community, we strive to make retirement living in Rock Hill an everyday opportunity for social interactions. From the day you or your loved one arrives at TerraBella Rock Hill, our expert staff and caregivers will warmly welcome you. We’ll tour you around the community so that you can meet and get to know your neighbors and fellow residents.
TerraBella’s daily social and recreational community events in Rock Hill can also help keep you or your loved one from feeling lonely and isolated. Here are some examples of fun and engaging activities included in our calendars designed to foster connections:
- Card games
- Trivia
- Group word games
- Jeopardy
- Family Feud
- Movie and popcorn
- Residents’ birthday parties
Feel a Sense of Belonging
Social isolation and loneliness can make older adults feel like they don’t belong. Over time, this feeling can make them become even more withdrawn. A warm and welcoming community for senior living benefits older adults who feel this way because staff members will show them compassion and understanding from the start.
When people feel and know that someone cares about them, they’re more likely to develop a sense of belonging. Our caring staff members at TerraBella Rock Hill can help strengthen this further by providing individualized personal care assistance. Their compassion and respect make our residents feel even more connected to our community.
Our community’s daily activities, which encourage group participation, can also foster a sense of belonging in our residents. Because they appeal to a wide range of interests and abilities, you or your older loved one will surely find several that suit your taste.
For example, if you love reading books, we have a book club you can join. If you’re into baking, we organize classes for that, too. The list of social, educational, and recreational activities you can participate in at TerraBella Rock Hill is long, so you can worry less about not having to do anything because there’s always something fun and exciting happening here.
Improve Physical Health
In the best senior living communities, staff members socialize with residents and encourage them to participate in physical activities. Doing this can already help residents feel cared about, but it also sets them up for the benefits of exercise. According to a study published on ScienceDirect.com, seniors who engaged in moderate to high physical activity levels had a:
- 15% to 30% lower likelihood of dealing with social isolation and loneliness
- 41% to 56% reduction in feelings of depression
- 62% to 69% reduction in limited functionally
Moreover, the researchers noted that physical activity can mitigate excessive healthcare costs.
At TerraBella Rock Hill, we motivate our residents to stay physically active by incorporating exercises into our activity calendar. We offer fitness and wellness programs as well as yoga. Our residents are also welcome to exercise with their friends and fellow residents in our beautiful outdoor spaces.
Enhance Cognitive Health
According to a post by Harvard Health Publishing, social activities engage all the senses. They’re like a superior workout for the brain, which health experts say promotes better cognition. Indeed, a previous study of over 1,000 adults whose average age was 80 found that the most socially active individuals had 70% less cognitive decline than those with the fewest social activities.
By staying socially active, seniors can enhance their cognitive health, which may then help lower their chances of experiencing memory problems.
In addition to TerraBella Rock Hill’s planned social, recreational, and physical activities, we provide our residents with more opportunities to socialize during mealtimes. In our community, residents enjoy three delicious and nutritious home-cooked meals (with desserts!) prepared by our expert culinary team. They can savor their meals in the company of their fellow residents in our well-appointed, bright dining room.
Our senior living community in Rock Hill, SC, further supports socialization and connection by providing outstanding amenities, including our well-manicured gardens. We also hold regular group excursions and outings to help residents stay more engaged and social.
Stay Social in Our Senior Living Community in Rock Hill, SC
Social activities can help you or your older loved one ward off the effects of social isolation, including loneliness and mental health woes. They can also motivate you to participate in physical activities, which bring even more health benefits.
At TerraBella Rock Hill, you can expect our caring staff, exceptional amenities, and other friendly residents to help you or your elderly family member stay socially and physically active. With so many fun and engaging activities and events to participate in, you can make every day memorable and a highlight of your golden years.
So, call us today to schedule your visit to our pet-friendly senior living community in Rock Hill, SC! We look forward to giving you a tour and helping you discover why many other families have chosen our community for their loved ones.