Living alone when there are public health restrictions in place can be a difficult experience. The practical challenges of daily life are compounded by a sense of social isolation. This is especially true for seniors.
Studies show what we all know: social connections improve our quality of life. They lessen feelings of isolation and depression, while improving blood pressure and reducing risk of disease. This is why a growing number of people are considering the benefits of communities designed specifically for active seniors.
“The sense of community that we offer means a great deal,” says Chloe Henderson, manager of lifestyle operations at Parkland at the Gardens in downtown Halifax. “Being able to dine with your friends and enjoy a glass of wine with music on a Saturday afternoon contributes to your quality of life.”
The social activities at Parkland residences range from music, dance and exercise classes to enjoying the games room, taking in a movie at the on-site theatre and socializing at the bar. For example, every other Friday, well-known Halifax musician Chalmers Doane performs at Parkland at the Gardens.
Because Parkland considers this aspect of life critical to residents’ health and wellness, plans are in place to ensure a variety of social activities continue to be offered safely. Spaces have been chosen to ensure physical distancing. Additional wellness team members have been added to increase the variety and frequency of recreation options available.
“There is always something to do and there are always people to do it with,” says Henderson. “And you get to do it all in the comfort of your own home.”
“When you’re by yourself and you really have no one to turn to, to be able to just open the door of your apartment and maybe someone is at the other end and they raise their arm and say, ‘Hello. How are you? How’s everything going?’” says Maureen, a resident at Parkland at the Gardens.
With so many activities, Parkland takes care of day-to-day tasks, such as cooking, cleaning, laundry and transportation, which are provided, as are other amenities, such as in-house hairdressing and marketplaces stocked with essentials.
While many seniors today worry about staying healthy, Parkland residences provide peace of mind through on-site health professionals and 24-hour support teams for regular medical appointments or to address any time-sensitive concerns.
And to keep their communities safe, Parkland residences have a comprehensive pandemic plan that guides teams to implement a range of infection control protocols under the leadership of the organization’s infection control specialist. This includes enhanced cleaning protocols and screening for residents and team members, along with a detailed action plan to respond to any potential outbreaks.
“We have an exceptional clinical team here in the residence to ensure we are following all of these procedures,” says Henderson.
Having these protocols in place means residents can feel safe in their community, even during an uncertain time in the world. And that personal well-being is enhanced by a sense of fulfilment and belonging that comes with being part of an active community.
“We are here to help,” says Henderson. “That includes keeping everyone safe and socially active. Our team puts exceptional effort into creating fun and exciting activities for our residents every single day.”
“We’ve been very, very fortunate to have a fantastic team to look after us,” says Maureen.
Connect with Parkland Retirement Living by visiting experienceparkland.com.
