Mental health has become a significant concern, especially during and after the pandemic. As we’ve discussed in one of our previous blog posts, older adults are particularly vulnerable, with one in four experiencing symptoms of depression and anxiety. One effective way to address this concern is to embrace social support.
At the same time, maintaining independence is crucial for older adults as they navigate life’s changes. Even in cases of assisted living, as much as the person’s wellbeing allows, older adults should be as independent as possible.
So how does one keep a steady balance of social needs and independence? We propose that community is less of management between the two and more of a healthy mix, providing many necessities and benefits for older adults.
Community is a place of belonging.
We get it: it’s a goal for many to create a space in their home that is safe, ideal, and tailored to their needs. We especially encourage this among our residents—just ask any of our move-in counselors. However, it is important to recognize that a home can become a negative space if it fosters isolation.
Life is more than just survival. It is emotional, physical, and spiritual.
“Your relationship with your house changes as you age,” says Molly Lyster, one of our counselors. “As all of these changes take place, your sense of community may be limited. You cannot create a sense of community at home by yourself.”
Community is for everyone, both extroverted and introverted, and from many different backgrounds. Some of our residents offered to share their stories and experiences:
“If I’m ever lonely, I walk to the lobby for a cup of tea,” says Marcia Kubat, a resident who is greatly involved in our community. “There’s usually someone there, or on the way there, that gets a conversation going. There’s always something to do, always someone to talk to. You almost have to be careful and watch your calendar, or you’ll overbook.”
“My neighborhood is quieter, but we’re friendly,” says Joan Butler, who is a little more introverted. “But (Friendsview)’s my village—we’re a village. It’s a warm feeling. It’s not like looking out the window at a city street… this is my home.”
Community is a place where you find yourself and exercise your talents.
“For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.” (Romans 12: 4-5)
Romans 12 goes on to illustrate that each member has their own gifts and talents, given to us by God, and that these gifts are meant to be utilized to serve others. In this, we find connection, purpose, and self-satisfaction.
Getting out and experiencing life is both grounding and a way to challenge yourself. Community is a way for you to exercise your skills to benefit those around you, see others’ skills in action, and provide opportunity for you to try something new.
“People who want to be leaders can be leaders,” says Joan. “People who want to stand by and offer support can do that. It’s all there, it is what you make of it.”
Community is there in all chapters of your life—both positive and negative.
Alongside all the positive moments, we recognize that life presents changes and challenges.
“Being aware of challenges is part of the process,” says Carolyn Stansell. She and her husband were missionaries, and her calling was to support her husband in his work. That’s how it was for 56 years. “After he died, I kind of lost my identity. How do you move beyond that? I knew I needed community, but I couldn’t find the energy.”
Carolyn described her healing process as something that needed time—something that couldn’t be rushed, something that was a personal choice.
The healing process can be lonely. However, Carolyn reflected, with community there—even if she wasn’t participating in it—it provided a sense of hope for her while she healed. “It was there for me when I was ready.”
To summarize:
The beauty of community, regardless of how social you are, is that it exposes you to new ideas, interests, skills, and perspectives.
Community provides physical, mental, and spiritual health, as well as belonging, support, and growth. In life, some chapters must end, but that just means new ones can begin. For every chapter, community is there for you through it all.
We look forward to seeing who you will become and the lasting impact you will make at Friendsview.
