The Importance of Senior Living Communities for Older Adults

Pro Bono for a local nonprofit, January 2025

It’s well known that your mind and body change as you age. Your vision, hearing, mobility, and memory are bound to shift as you enter your older years, but there are steps that you can take to mitigate these changes. Taking advantage of the opportunities that a senior living community (like Aiken Senior Life Services!) has available for you is a great place to start.

Enrichment Activities

Learning new skills has been shown to protect and preserve brain health[1] and can decrease the risk of a dementia diagnosis by up to 11% in some patients. Those who engage in activities like journaling, educational classes, and games saw the biggest benefit, but creative outlets like painting, music, and reading also show a significant impact.

Physical Fitness

You may already know that physical activity can help protect against chronic health conditions like heart failure, kidney disease, and diabetes, but there are many more benefits to staying physically active! Moving your body regularly can reduce your risk for depression and dementia, as well as promote better sleep and lessen feelings of anxiety. It can also strengthen your bones, help you stay independent longer, and reduce your risk for 8 different types of cancer.[2]

Socialization

Spending time with friends can do a whole lot more for you than just provide a pleasant way to spend some time. Social connections have been shown to improve physical and mental health and have even been associated with longer life expectancy![3]

Aiken Senior Life Services

We have a variety of clubs, classes, and events here at Aiken Senior Life Services that include fitness, games, and art. Check out our programs here, where you can find plenty of options to improve your health and wellbeing!

[1] Lifestyle Enrichment in Later Life and Its Association With Dementia Risk, NIH.GOV

[2] Older Adult Activity: An Overview, CDC.GOV

[3] A surprising key to healthy aging: Strong social connections, MAYOCLINIC.ORG

Katie Fredette RN, BSN is a registered nurse and a freelance writer specializing in healthcare content creation.