The Benefits of Resident Events in Senior Living Communities
Windsor Court & Stratford Place in Westminster, CA hosts a variety of events and offers resident resources through their partners at Project Access.
Affordable senior living communities play a crucial role in providing a socially engaging environment for senior residents of Southern California. These specialized complexes have the unique opportunity to provide their tenants not only with safe, quality living spaces, but also a welcoming community and an active lifestyle to boost their enjoyment. A structured and varied event calendar can aid in improving health for seniors physically, mentally, and emotionally. At QRM, we put forth our efforts daily to deliver quality driven management and adhere to our company’s core value of community dedication by providing involvement opportunities for residents of our beautiful senior communities.
Feeling Fit
Active events are important components to senior living communities. Maintaining mobility through recreation can boost overall health and longevity for residents. Exercise classes, such as chair yoga sessions provided by Project Access at our Windsor Court & Stratford Place communities, can revitalize and energize its participants. Increased agility, strength and balance can lead to greater independence through decreased risk of falling and injury, giving residents more security and confidence as they go about their day-to-day lives. Staying in a fitness routine can also promote better sleep and increase energy levels, allowing for prolonged motivation to get out and enjoy life to the fullest. Enjoying excursions to parks and museums, or simply strolling through the community courtyard provides much needed sunshine and a break from the everyday routine. As we will learn more in the next section, working out also helps improve cognitive function which helps enhance physical ability and mental acuity. Studies have also shown that a more mobile lifestyle can contribute to a fortified immune system and lowered risk of more severe health issues. The more consistent an individual’s exercise schedule is, the less likely that they are to develop certain health conditions such as dementia, heart related illnesses, strokes, and even specific forms of cancer. Earlier this year, our team at one of our affordable senior communities, Grandon Village Apartments, worked with our partners at All Things are Possible (ATAP) to put on a resident Game Day. Residents were invited to enjoy food and friendly competition through games like indoor mini golf and corn hole to encourage movement and social community.
Grandon Village in San Marcos, CA has a large boasts a comfortable community room, perfect for large events.
Staying Sharp
Aside from staying physically fit, group activities also help to encourage intellectual stimulation. Socialization and fitness can provide benefits from general psychological improvement to lessening symptoms of dementia. Specifically, being communally involved is incredibly beneficial for memory. The more we interact with others, the better our brains are able to establish mental connections, improving cognition. Last year, our senior properties kicked off the summer with a book swap event. This brought residents together to converse and enjoy coffee and treats while exchanging reading recommendations with one another. Just like any other muscle, the brain needs to be “flexed” and exercised to stay strong. Challenging the mind through social engagement, physical exercises, and creative hobbies can help senior residents stay sharp and boost their mood. Some evidence has shown that mingling with friends and neighbors can also lessen agitation, frustration, and stress that contribute to sundowning symptoms in residents experiencing dementia and Alzheimer’s. Though it may not be quite as effective as in person activities, even virtual get-togethers through video calls with loved ones and friends can help to enhance cognition.
Vista Alicante in La Mirada, CA hosts many fun seasonal activities, such as a Holiday Elf Hunt with a treat bar.
Elevating Emotions
With access to more opportunities to be mobile and social, residents are empowered with tools to stave off plaguing feelings of isolation and loneliness they may be dealing with. Loneliness unfortunately can be common as we age, and it becomes more important than ever to be involved in community and build meaningful relationships. Resident activities are a wonderful way for neighbors to get to know one another, find friendships, and build the support systems that they need. During challenging times of life, having connections that you can lean on emotionally and mentally can make a significant difference. The more time spent interacting with others, the more satisfaction a person is likely to get out of life. By broadening our horizons and staying engaged in our communities, we can actively fight against not only physical ailments but psychiatric ailments such as depression and anxiety. One of our properties, Vista Alicante Apartments, hosts seasonal events that bring their residents together, such as their holiday Elf Hunt! Last year, residents had the opportunity to find mischievous elves hidden around the property as they did their daily activities and the winners received prizes. Additionally, the residents got to enjoy hot apple cider and treats in the clubhouse to spend time with each other and enjoy the season.
The courtyard between Windsor Court and Stratford place allows for neighbors and families to gather and enjoy the outdoors together.
QRM Cares
At QRM Corp., our company is dedicated to providing high quality living experiences to all of our residents. Through our core values, we aim to show appreciation for all of our residents by engaging with property-wide events and providing resident resources. Our senior communities are run by dedicated and experienced management teams who work daily to promote their residents' health and happiness. Located in Westminster California, our Windsor Court & Stratford Place communities offer both Senior and Multifamily apartments. The buildings were constructed with the unique vision of providing a complex that can accommodate both seniors and their extended families. Our 1- and 2-bedroom apartments are well outfitted to accommodate seniors looking for a comfortable and active community while our 3-bedroom townhomes provide spacious accommodations for a variety of household structures and are just a short walk across a beautiful courtyard from the apartments.
Our communities put together a Sips & Succulents event, providing residents with refreshments and the materials to plant their own succulents to take home.
Our team partners with Project Access to bring our residents valuable resources and healthy centered activities. Their bi-monthly food distribution creates access for residents to obtain groceries, while regular recreation activities such as chair yoga and bingo help residents be mentally, physically, and socially engaged. Our Vista Alicante community in sunny La Mirada offers residents 1- and 2-bedroom apartments. The large clubhouse provides ample space for residents to come and enjoy afternoons together by the pool. Our team regularly plans fun and engaging events such as our recently held craft day in which residents were able to come mingle and work on a creative project with supplies made available by our management team. In San Marcos, our Grandon Village community works with our All Things Are Possible partners to bring unique events to our residents to meet their tangible needs. This year, our team coordinated with ATAP to host a health fair for residents, bringing in vendors from various organizations to provide residents with important resources and information to care for their needs.
Beyond being a safe and comfortable home, Senior Living Communities have a unique opportunity to create a supportive and active environment for their residents. At QRM, we work hard to deliver high quality living for all our residents. We strive to put the needs of our residents first by offering resources and events that can improve the quality of living at our senior apartment complexes and our multifamily properties.