Amenities That Make the Holidays Happy for Every Resident
The holidays can be lonely for many people, including residents of senior living communities. This is compounded by a new University of Michigan study finding that many adults aged 50 to 80 feel lonely and isolated, with a number of them reporting only fair or even poor physical and mental health.
Here are some ways to make the most of your community amenities to increase engagement, socialization, and well-being for your senior living residents:
By offering multiple activities in the multipurpose rooms to appeal to various residents' interests. In an effective multipurpose room, you can hold a concert in the afternoon and show a holiday film in the evening.
By partnering with local schools and community groups you can bring generations together offering intergenerational activities and connections. For instance, partner residents with college students go on holiday shopping, exchange gifts, and enjoy meals together. If possible, consider offering vacant units for students who can’t go home for the holidays. Consider bringing in area children and having a resident play Santa, or have residents read Christmas stories to a local kindergarten or daycare group.
Make the best use of open spaces, beautiful entry halls, and common areas. Bring a tall tree for high ceilings, and encourage engagement with a portable beverage cart, live music, a craft or art fair, etc.
Create a holiday sensory experience. Use greenery, lights, and decorations to evoke happy memories and nostalgic thoughts. Do not forget about sounds and scents! Have holiday music in the background and use fragrance diffusers for pine trees, ciders, sugar cookies, and other holiday scents.
Creative use of dining room venues. Consider creating a holiday pop-up in one of your dining venues. This could be a happy hour with holiday-themed drinks, a hot cocoa bar, or holiday donuts and pastries at the coffee shop.
Use open spaces and hallways to create an indoor winter wonderland with white and silver decorations that residents can walk through; Create booths down the hallway with offerings of cider, hot chocolate, and cookies.
Encourage physical activity in the community; A holiday race/walk event or a yoga class with Santa. Exercise can work as a mood booster and help burn holiday calories. Weather permitting, creating a walking course around the building with holiday decorations and music is an exciting way to bring in the holidays.
Enable reflection and quiet times. Some people may want to reflect or meditate during this stimulating time. Consider having a meditation garden or room where people can enjoy quiet reflection. Additionally, hold activities that enable people who are not comfortable socializing or meeting new people to be involved and part of holiday festivities. These might include concerts, movies, cooking demonstrations, or poetry readings.
Support well-being and mental health. Remind residents there is help if they need it. Hold lectures or programs about promoting and managing mental health during the holidays. Have counselors or volunteers available that residents can talk to. Don’t push people to be active and social but encourage everyone to find something that makes them happy and brings peace.
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