One thing that all assisted living managers and senior living management firms need to keep in mind is that emotional health and wellbeing is just as important as physical care for seniors. While activities with their peers can provide a good sense of community and enrich residents’ lives, whether they are in memory care or independent living, interacting with a diverse group of people and multiple age groups often fosters true emotional wellbeing.
While many residents may have family in the vicinity of their facility, many will not. Therefore, it is up to the assisted living managers to organize and develop programs that nurture intergenerational contact and add an additional dimension to the lives of their residents.
Senior living consultants understands this need, and has spend the last 20 years development a variety of Interage Programs that focused on different age groups, interacting with nursing home residents, assisted living residents, and independent living residents. Some of these programs are:
- Senior mentoring programs for teenagers and young adults
- Game-based Clubs, such as dominos and chess
- Adopt a Grandparent Program for elderly residents that have family far away or no family at all
- Preschool/Senior Companion Program – a unique program that matches pre-school children with memory care residents, primarily Alzheimer’s and dementia patients. Directors of Nursing homes and memory care managers have seen defined and cognitive improvement in residents that participate regularly in the program.
True care for seniors is comprehensive and seeks to keep as many routines, opportunities, and relationship types from their lives present and accessible a possible. Contact your senior living consultant today to learn more about these intergenerational programs and how you can increase the wellbeing of your residents.