Senior Living: Why It’s One of the Best Places to be During a Pandemic

While following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations, we are left trying to get back to a sense of normal. Terms such as “social distancing” and “quarantine” very well could continue to be staples in our everyday vocabularies.

“All Georgia residents and visitors are strongly encouraged to wear face coverings as practicable while outside their home or place of residence (georgia.gov).” As businesses are reopening, many are requiring patrons to wear masks to protect themselves and others.

Even though our society is changing, the fact remains that senior living communities continue to be one of the safest places for older adults. Oaks Senior Living proudly offers assisted living and memory care communities throughout Georgia, and we want to share the reasons we believe this is true.

Download Transitioning to a Senior Living Community

Initiating Additional Safety Protocols

Senior living communities in Georgia and throughout the country have additional protocols to protect residents, guests, and families and aim to prevent and control the spread of COVID-19. These practices include but are not limited to:

• Increased sanitation and cleaning measures
• Limited visitation
• Required quarantine or monitoring of symptoms for residents and staff
• Implemented social distancing practices

Avoiding Isolation & Feelings of Loneliness

Humans are social creatures; we need regular, meaningful interactions with friends and family to support our mental and physical wellness. However, due to the current health climate, this has become more challenging to implement in our daily lives. But connecting with others and fostering close relationships provides many unexpected health benefits.

The health benefits of socialization in older adults include:

• Reduced levels of stress
• Increased longevity
• Lowered risk of anxiety and depression
• Reduced blood pressure
• Increased sense of self-esteem and purpose
• Boosted immune system
• Improved cognitive functioning and brain health
• Reduced risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia
• Increased amounts of physical activity

Reaping these benefits through socialization is challenging amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Senior living communities offer a sense of community that does not cut residents off from the rest of the world. Within these communities, individuals can socialize with peers in a safe, socially distanced way that may not be as easily achievable for those older adults who live at home – especially if they live alone.

Accessing Medical Care and On-Site Assistance

Staying in a self-quarantined environment is one of the best ways to ensure your health and safety, but what if you need to visit a doctor or require other medical assistance? If you live alone, you would have to venture out and go to your doctor’s office, potentially exposing yourself to the virus and drastically increasing your risk of becoming ill.

When you live in a senior living community, you have the safety and convenience of receiving medical care and other assistance within the community. Ranging from assistance with the activities of daily living to more intensive care, senior living communities are equipped to provide the care and support that residents need – right on-site.

Necessities are Handled for You

Even though many businesses have adapted to accommodate the at-risk population, providing special hours, for example, your risk of exposure is far greater than if you live within a community. Senior living communities offer services that take care of all of your necessities. For instance, you do not need to go grocery shopping because your meals are prepared for you; you do not need to run to the hardware store because all your home maintenance is handled by the community.

Oaks Senior Living in Georgia believes that assisted living and memory care communities are among the safest places to be during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our mission at Oaks is to provide an environment where people are valued and appreciated by honoring personal choice and providing a sense of purpose while enabling meaningful relationships.

For more information on what we are doing to keep residents safe, [gd_gFormLink text=”contact a member of our senior living team”].