Senior living communities that welcome older adults of diverse backgrounds, such as Horizon House and the future West Tower, give their residents the chance to meet others with different perspectives. Not only does this make it easier for older adults to make and maintain important friendships, and it gives every resident a sense of acceptance and belonging.
How Inclusion Supports Social Well-Being
Loneliness is commonly felt by seniors in the United States, but studies have shown that having a strong social circle can lower your chance of developing feelings of loneliness. Feelings of loneliness are associated with an increased risk of many diseases and conditions, such as depression. When you join a community that is inclusive for all of its residents, you can give yourself a much greater chance of avoiding loneliness and these related conditions altogether.
How Inclusion Offers Security
One part of age-inclusivity that is often forgotten is accessibility in infrastructures and housing. Many seniors want to live as independently as possible for as long as possible, but this can only happen when they are in a home that is safe for them to use.
Falls can negatively affect anyone at any age, but older adults are especially at risk of fall-related injuries. Individuals can benefit from having extra safety measures in their homes, like grab bars, walk-in showers and raised toilet seats. Having access to emergency call devices can help too, and sometimes voice-activated technology can be placed in the home to make such calls. These innovations, when added to a home or apartment in a senior living community, can make it easier for seniors to live independently for longer.
How Inclusion Supports Health
Many people falsely believe that seniors should not exercise, whether or not they have physical limitations. However, exercise is a vital part of living healthy, and older adults should be able to access things like fitness centers and wellness classes.
In age-inclusive living communities, seniors can enjoy exercising at the community’s facilities solo or attend group workouts. Many adults with physical limitations can enjoy chair yoga, which is a modified version of traditional yoga, to get the same benefits of exercise without risking injuries.
Seniors deserve to live free of discrimination, and living an inclusive lifestyle in a senior living community can make that happen. For those looking to secure a place to live independently after retirement, the new West Tower at Horizon House may be the perfect option. To learn more about the expansion, call us at 206-429-4353 or fill out a contact form.
