Regardless of age, physical or cognitive state, we all need to be surrounded by other people. It is an essential condition for our development. This is even more true as we get older, when professional and personal activities begin to slow down. Social life must therefore be reinvented in order to continue to cultivate connection, exchange and physical and mental well-being.
To promote socialization and energize daily life, retirement homes offer a variety of activities and community spaces. Bonjour Résidences presents the advantages of living in a residence to combat the isolation of the elderly.
Ending the Social Isolation of Seniors
Isolation affects many seniors in Quebec. In fact, nearly 30% are at risk of suffering from it.
In addition to affecting mental health, loneliness tends to dampen cognitive stimulation and the overall physical health of our seniors. This is why the social life in a retirement home and the stimulation it provides are essential for physical and mental well-being!
The Key to Maintaining an Active Social Life
How should we fight against the isolation of the elderly and its impacts? More specifically, it is advisable to regularly participate in:
- Physical activity for the elderly: allows you to maintain the bond with other people, to stay in shape and to add a routine to your weeks.
- Classes or group activities: clubs, tournaments or groups of elderly or multigenerational people promote social ties, cultivate a passion, a spirit of community and promote mental and physical activity.
- Volunteering : allows you to participate in a meaningful project, to feel involved and active.
- Regular meetings with family and loved ones: obviously essential to feel surrounded and allow discussion.
To promote these different elements, living in a retirement home offers an interesting alternative. It stimulates social life and breaks the loneliness of isolated elderly people. Even in perfect physical and mental health, some RPAs offer housing for retirees with a dynamic program, punctuated by multiple activities!
The Benefits of Living in A Retirement Home for Seniors
Each retirement home offers a unique living environment, care and services. What they have in common: they offer activities and meeting spaces that punctuate daily life and promote socialization.
Depending on seniors’ living and health conditions, the following types of housing units are available:
- Apartments for retirees: mainly reserved for autonomous seniors, these apartments offer a stimulating lifestyle with a variety of physical and socio-cultural activities for residents.
- Retirement Homes of Seniors with Care : these retirement homes include options for independent and semi-independent residents and residents with a lack of autonomy and independence. These offer private housing units with care or special are units depending on clients’ level of autonomy. Activities offered therefore depend on the residents’ living conditions and health.
- Long-Term Care and Housing Centres (CHSLDs): these are for individuals whose loss of autonomy and independence requires them to need 3 hours of care per day. The type of activity for seniors offered and meeting areas are also adapted for this clientele.
Activities in retirement homes are tailored to individual needs and to the type of clientele targeted. They also help stimulate cognitive and physical faculties to keep seniors in shape!
Activities and Social Spaces Offered in Retirement Homes
To create links between residents and help fight against the isolation of the elderly, you can find the following services, spaces and activities in residence:
Boardgames
Bridge, scrabble, chess, card or memory games ... There are many options to promote community life, discussion and entertainment. Plus, some games are great for boosting memory, logic, or strategy. Above all, they create a friendly, complicit and dynamic atmosphere between the residents.
Bridge, scrabble, chess, card or memory games ... There are many options to promote community life, discussion and entertainment. Plus, some games are great for boosting memory, logic, or strategy. Above all, they create a friendly, warm and dynamic atmosphere between the residents.
Activities in Retirement Homes for the Elderly
To organize their activities, retirement homes for the elderly often have a person in charge of activities and animation on their team. They specialize in recreation for seniors and the ability to plan adapted activities.
The activity facilitators are at the center of the social life of the residence. They address residents’ needs and desires, plan weekly activities and create conditions that foster social ties, including:
- Field trips: for errands (shopping) or for pleasure ( apple picking, concerts, museums, visits, etc. )
- Thematic evenings: musicals, food tasting activities, themes ( based on different periods of the year), games and tournaments (bingo, boardgames, scrabble, bridge, pool, etc.)
- Residents’ Birthdays: activity facilitators, dinner parties and songs, even birthday cakes !
Most retirement homes also create a friendly environment by decorating shared spaces to celebrate different seasonal holidays!
Physical Activity
To maintain an active lifestyle and good physical health, most retirement homes offer:
- Fitness room
- Pool or spa
- Chair yoga class
- Hiking
- Soft gymnastics or aqua aerobics classes
- And many other physical activities suitable for the elderly!
Becoming a Member of Clubs and Committees
Depending on the type of residence, one can also find different social and cultural activities. Reading, walking, games, art, singing, gardening and even theater clubs can be found there!
Some establishments even encourage the involvement of residents to organize activities, or participate in community life. Everyone is obviously involved as they wish and on a voluntary basis.
Spaces for Hobbies and Socializing
Finally, in addition to activities, retirement homes for seniors also have various spaces for meeting and spending time with others. These spaces notably include:
- Cafeteria
- Restaurant
- Movie room
- Library
- Fitness room
- Piano
- Relaxation and / or reading room
- Party room
- Chapel
Furthermore, the majority of residences have outdoor spaces for meeting and socializing. There are often petanque grounds, swings, gardening tubs, walking areas, etc. Places that promote activity, ventilation and socialization at will!
Finding A retirement Home That is Adapted to Your Needs
Below is the testimony of a woman whose mother was helped by a hosting specialist from Bonjour Résidences to find housing.
“You couldn't ask for better service. The staff are attentive, the space is beautiful with the amenities you already know and the meals are good. My mother's apartment is very good. They had taken the time to paint everything before his arrival in addition to changing the laminate floor. We cleaned on principle since everything was clean.
As for my mother, she's doing the best since she moved there. She made friends there, she participates in the activities and she really loves the place. For her own sake, I really believe she should have moved there a few years ago. Once again thank you !"
Would you like to find a residence to enjoy a socially rich and active environment like this client’s mother? The Bonjour Résidences directory allows you to explore private residences for the elderly in Quebec. Depending on your needs, your budget and the region of your choice, our Senior housing Specialist can help you find the residences that best suit your preferences!
Contact us at 1 844 918-1020 to speak with one of our Senior housing Specialist or request accommodation online for residency quotes!
