America has a loneliness epidemic. People of all ages are more isolated than ever before.
This is bad for a myriad of mental health reasons. According to an advisory from the U.S. Surgeon General from 2023, it can even increase premature death risks just as much as smoking 15 cigarettes a day can.
In older adults, isolation is even more likely. A senior living community in Lake Mills can combat the effects of loneliness.
Read on to learn:
Older adults are at an increased risk of social isolation. This means that they lack social contact with other people. They don't have many friends or family to interact with regularly.
Social isolation leads to feelings of loneliness. Seniors feel alone and separated from others without any community engagement. This makes life less fulfilling and purposeful.
According to the National Institute on Aging (NIA), there is a wide range of risk factors for social isolation and loneliness. Some include:
These are all common issues that aging adults contend with. According to the National Library of Medicine (NLM), one in every four Americans over 65 is socially isolated because these risk factors frequently come with age.
Being socially isolated makes serious health problems more likely for seniors. Loneliness leads to depression and anxiety. Mental health causes pain in the same regions of the brain as physical pain.
But there are also tangible physical health risks that come with social isolation. According to the CDC, studies show that isolated people have a:
Heart failure patients are also four times more likely to pass away when they go to the hospital if they're socially isolated.
A lack of connections literally can cause an early death. By putting your loved one in an assisted living community, you might save their life.
An active senior living community in Lake Mills brings people together. The well-appointed apartments are laid out in a resort-style layout. This means people are close to their neighbors and can see them regularly with minimal effort.
Because of this, community residents see their close friends every day. They can make plans whenever they want to meet in one of Lakehouse Lake Mills's many common areas:
Of course, they can also privately interact at their own apartments!
This means seniors can remain socially engaged even when they struggle with mobility. They won't need to drive or use public transit to visit friends. They can just walk or wheel to their doorway and knock.
Regular contact with emotionally connected friends gives seniors something to look forward to each day. Connections can also become deeper over time, which gives seniors the chance to experience emotional intimacy as they age.
Both families and new residents may wonder how community living supports meeting new people. After all, even our best friends were strangers once.
The answer lies in senior social activities within the community. Some activities include:
Joining social groups means it's easier to meet people with common interests. Sharing interests and values is a great foundation for a friendship because everyone has ideas to discuss.
Shared interests can do the following:
Senior events in Lake Mills get like-minded people together instantly. Once the conversation starts flowing, community members can share more about themselves. They'll connect on even more levels and nurture intimate friendships.
Wellness programs also foster connections with others who are committed to their health.
Top-notch senior living communities have on-staff nutritionists. Dietitians will help elderly residents meet their nutritional needs and get the fuel they need to thrive in their daily lives.
Social interaction during mealtimes is also easy with restaurant-style dining and chef-prepared meals.
Nutritional guidelines are established by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). Each resident will get their own wellness plan for better living.
Additionally, there are wellness programs that foster direct social engagement, including the following:
Structured routine can:
Senior communities have regular calendar events to provide this structure! Activity calendar outings include activities like:
Lakehouse Lake Mills provides accessible transportation solutions from the community directly to these destinations. Vans and buses come directly to seniors so they don't need to walk to a bus stop.
Transportation is made to accommodate mobility aids like walkers and wheelchairs. Wheelchair ramps and wide, open spaces make it easy for those with mobility issues to navigate the space.
This makes outings with friends and community members easier. New experiences are what life's all about, and aging doesn't have to mean slowing down and falling exclusively into a routine!
A senior living community in Lake Mills won't just make your older loved one happier and healthier. It will give them opportunities to make close friends and thrive during their golden years.
Now that you know why this is the case, it's time to tour our community. Our compassionate care experts are committed to helping, and our amenities are the best in Wisconsin. Contact us to learn more about our offerings and schedule a visit today!