4 Ways Senior Living Can Curb Loneliness in Older Adults

While it’s heartwarming to think of the joy and freedom of one’s “golden years,” the truth is that for many older adults, isolation and loneliness are far too common. Between the physical limitations that come with aging and the gradual loss of loved ones, isolation is prevalent enough among older adults to constitute a social crisis. In fact, the US Surgeon General even declared it an epidemic last year.

That knowledge should concern every senior living leader. Residents experiencing loneliness and isolation are at higher risk of everything from heart disease to stroke. And the cumulative effect on their health is worse than smoking 15 cigarettes a day.  

The good news is that senior living communities can play a huge role in alleviating loneliness among older adults. With the word “community” built right into their model, after all, the promise of socialization is almost something of a given. But not everyone is a social self-starter. Here’s how your community can give residents the boost they need to get out and about.

Create a New Resident Orientation Program

Everyone remembers how hard it can be to be the new kid in class. And though older adults may be long removed from their school days, they’re likely to experience a similar combination of anxiety and hesitation as they move into a new senior living community. 

That’s why it’s so important to do everything possible to make them feel comfortable and welcome at every turn. A new resident orientation program can include things such as…

• A welcome mixer, which gives new arrivals the chance to meet many of their fellow residents and friendly staff members all in one place.
• A building tour, which can serve as a reminder of all of the great activities, amenities, and opportunities for socialization your community has to offer.
• A tech talk to help guide new residents through the variety of communication and social apps that you offer, including demonstrations on how to get things up and running.

Although these may seem like pretty standard welcome events, not every community makes the effort to package them as a dedicated orientation program. But doing so can help kick-start the socialization piece of your residents’ experience and demonstrate just how much your community cares about their all-around well-being.  

Use Engagement Technology to Connect Residents with Activities

Your community probably has a robust life enrichment program filled with activities designed to bring residents together, from cooking demonstrations and social gatherings to art classes and pickleball lessons. But offering all of these options is only half the battle – you have to get your residents to come out and participate in them. And the truth is that not every offering is going to appeal to everybody. 

The key to a successful enrichment program is engagement, and this is where Smart Aging™ technology can help. The Smart Aging™ dashboard can eliminate the need to manually poll residents on their interests. It uses data – such as past events they’ve attended – to provide them with a menu of curated recommendations based on their tastes. 

Better still, Smart Aging™ also gives residents an easier and more convenient way to register for the activities they’re interested in – no more missing out on their favorite activities because they didn’t get to the paper sign-up sheet in time.  

Put simply, when given a list of social options that clearly align with their interests, most residents will be more likely to engage. And more engagement means less isolation, less loneliness, and a better quality of life.     

Bring in Outsiders From the Local Community

The variety of residents, staff members, and shared life experiences throughout your senior living community should help encourage socialization. But another way to boost interaction and combat isolation is to bring in fresh faces and voices from beyond your walls. These might include…

• Establishing a volunteer program for local students. High school students, church groups, and scout troops are always looking for volunteer opportunities in the community, and working with older adults is a great option. Not only will your residents get another opportunity for social interaction, they’ll also benefit from establishing multigenerational relationships. 
• Inviting families, friends, and neighbors to your gatherings. Your social and enrichment calendars are full of opportunities for your residents. But how about opening some of these events to a broader audience? From family members to friends to neighbors from outside, the more the merrier! When they join in the fun of your next holiday party, cookout, or movie night, they’ll help expand your community – and maybe encourage some of your less social residents to give these activities a try.
• Bringing in guest speakers or presenters. Your residents love your staff members, but sometimes it’s good to see a new face or hear a new voice. Maybe a local librarian can come in to lead a book club, or someone from the nearby hardware store can host a build-your-own birdhouse workshop. Whatever the underlying topic or activity, the goal is to give residents additional options to get out of their rooms and discover something – and someone – new.    

These are just a handful of ways to expand your residents’ social opportunities beyond the many things you’re already doing within the community. After all, more choices will likely result in less isolation.

Make Communication a Priority

One of the widely acknowledged antidotes for social isolation is communication. It’s particularly important for older adults, whose social circles have likely shrunk or maybe even evaporated altogether over the years. 

Senior living leaders can help by connecting residents with the loved ones they do have – they’re a first line of defense in the battle against loneliness and isolation. Easy-to-use tech can be a big asset here: think tablets with big screens, video calling software, and voice-activated Alexa devices (to make phone calls a breeze). 

Just make sure to offer plenty of training opportunities, plus in-person support in case there are any issues. This way, you can help residents get more comfortable with new digital experiences. 

And within your community, make communication among residents easier as well with a community engagement app. This allows them to look each other up, get in touch, and share information. It’s just one more tool to make sure your residents can easily reach out to others – and stave off isolation and loneliness in the process. 

Your Senior Living Community Can Help Alleviate the Loneliness Epidemic

Isolation and loneliness pose serious threats to older adults. But senior living communities can be at the vanguard of the fight for a solution. By focusing on the critical social needs of your residents, you’ll be demonstrating a standard of care that goes beyond their physical well-being to focus on the whole person. And in many cases, technology can be an important tool to get you there. Icon can help! Book a demo or reach out to start a conversation.