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Improve Resident Quality of Life at Your Retirement Community

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When retirees begin to consider retirement communities, they often search for options with comfortable living spaces, unique activities, large outdoor areas and fitness and well-being amenities. As the owner or manager of a retirement community, you want to make sure your property is set up to provide the most benefits for current and future residents.

Implementing certain retirement community facility upgrades can help you address the needs of older adults and improve their quality of life. Adding features like a community pool, courtyards and outdoor exercise spaces makes the property stand out, which offers value for both your business and your residents — you can set your community apart from others, and residents can feel more fulfilled every day.

Read on for the top ways business owners and decision-makers of retirement communities can improve their residents’ lives.

The Importance of Improving Retirement Community Living Facilities

Enhancing retirement facilities can improve residents’ overall well-being. The right upgrades can boost their moods, provide physical health benefits and allow them to maintain a sense of independence.

Providing spaces for residents to socialize and engage in physical activities can help business owners create happier retirement communities. Overall, retirement communities focused on facility enhancements can help members feel more valued and create an inclusive social environment. This step can also attract potential residents to properties.

Adding facilities for physical activity can help residents feel more self-reliant and make retirement communities more attractive to potential members. Many retirees use retirement to focus on their favorite activities and hobbies. If your facility recognizes and supports their interests, you can keep them engaged and help them lead fulfilling lives.

Altogether, creating accessible, updated and diverse facilities increases the property’s offerings and improves resident retention, which is helpful for both residents and the business overall.

The Best Ways to Improve Quality of Life in Your Retirement Community

Retirement is a time for individuals to relax, discover new hobbies and reap the rewards of their hard work. Retirement communities can provide members with opportunities to have fun, be social and stay active as they embark on the next chapter of their lives. Here are the top methods to improve their experience and attract and retain more members:

1. Create Social Indoor and Outdoor Activities

Friendship and community are essential to happiness and belonging. Some residents may not know anyone in the retirement community. Setting up social gatherings and activities is a splendid way to foster the growth of new friendships. Encourage residents to meet each other by organizing daily or weekly group activities such as community walks, book clubs, socials and group meetings.

Designate several communal spaces where residents can enjoy meals, socialize with like-minded individuals and bond over shared interests. These activities can help them maintain and expand their social lives. Ensure outdoor communal areas have sufficient shade and seating for enhanced comfort.

Business owners can encourage social activities by building spaces for residents to gather and chat. For example, creating a large outdoor patio or deck or planting a garden and adding picnic tables and benches can create more inclusive spaces for members to socialize and offer business owners a competitive edge.

Getting in touch with nature can also offer benefits to the older population. If your business is looking to bring more members to the retirement community, familiarize yourself with the advantages of outdoor activities for older individuals:

Older Individuals Enjoying Outdoor Time

Enhances Memory

Approximately 66% of Americans around 70 years old experience some level of cognitive impairment such as Lewy body, Alzheimer’s or cerebrovascular disease. With memory loss being the first warning sign of these diseases, it’s crucial to take steps to preserve and improve mental sharpness.

While brain-stimulating games and healthy eating are examples of potential preservation methods, a 2023 study highlighted significant cognitive improvements in older adults participating in therapeutic horticulture. Retirement communities with inviting outdoor areas may attract more members, especially those interested in the associated cognitive health benefits.

Builds Focus and Attention

Cognitive decline in older adults can lead to reduced attention span and focus. According to attention restoration theory, exposure to nature helps people replenish diminished and directed attention.

Creating long pathways for walks or placing chess tables outdoors could help residents improve their concentration levels. Boosting their attention span and focus can make their time in the retirement community more fulfilling. To draw in more members, retirement community owners can implement more outdoor activities that garner mental stimulation.

Relieves Agitation and Anxiety

Overwhelming stress can affect an individual’s ability to retain information, think logically and make sound judgments. Exposure to nature can be an excellent way to remedy anxiety, stress and agitation while improving emotional states. Retirement communities with more outdoor activities can be attractive to individuals looking for ways to manage stress and feel at peace in their homes.

2. Develop Physical Health Programs

Staying active is crucial to maintaining residents’ physical and mental well-being. Providing programs to help them stay active is an excellent way to improve their retirement quality of life. These programs aim to promote physical health and help them maintain independence. They’re crucial in making a residential community more attractive to potential tenants.

Physical health programs show that the owners value their residents’ wellness. Here are the top ways business owners can implement physical health programs at retirement communities:

  • Build a fitness center: Provide a gym with weight training and cardio equipment to help residents improve their fitness and physical strength. Experienced trainers can teach residents how to use the facilities properly and provide one-on-one coaching for those interested.
  • Provide exercise classes: Offering classes like yoga, Zumba and Pilates allows residents to have more fun and be social during or after exercise. These classes can help them improve their mobility and flexibility while fostering community and interaction.
  • Create sports competitions: Host different sporting competitions to encourage more social engagement during exercise. Examples include sports like tennis, ping-pong and bocce, which can improve physical activity, social interaction and mental health.
  • Involve health care professionals: Providing access to on-site health care professionals can help residents access the care and education they need to live healthy lives. For example, a dietitian could help residents make sure they eat and exercise properly according to their needs.

3. Add a Community Pool

Swimming pools are an attractive feature for retirement communities. They offer a great way to stay active and can help members cool down on hot summer days. Residents may be more attracted to buildings with a shared pool, especially with water features that create a tranquil environment.

Swimming is a staple outdoor amenity, especially in areas with warmer weather. Adding a pool to a retirement community can help the business stay competitive and offer members physical and mental benefits.

One specific factor to consider with pools in retirement homes is sun protection. Protective, shaded structures over or around pools are essential for members to have a break from the sun. Shaded structures also add to the area’s aesthetic appeal and protect investments, like pool furniture, from sun damage and other harmful weather.

4. Build Excitement Around Dining

While chefs and nutrition experts can help residents meet their dietary needs, it’s still important to understand that mealtime isn’t just about eating food. Every meal is an opportunity for the community to socialize. Here are some ways business owners can ensure dining is an entertaining and social experience:

  • Make mealtimes social: Enjoying a meal together is a simple way for residents to build relationships and gain companionship. Community managers and directors can implement designated dining areas with comfortable tables and chairs to encourage residents to eat together.
  • Change up the menu: To improve satisfaction, consider adding a balance of nutritious and delicious dishes. Communities that offer a variety of menu items can attract more residents and keep current ones happy.
  • Monitor portion sizes: As people get older, their appetites fluctuate. A large pile of food may seem less appealing to an older adult. Prepare smaller portions that are nutritionally balanced and their preferences.
  • Keep them hydrated: Motivate residents to stay hydrated by offering a range of healthy beverage choices, such as naturally flavored waters and teas. Add tea and water stations in prime spots throughout the property to encourage members to stop for a drink.
  • Consider each resident’s dietary needs: One of the best ways to improve retirement community facilities is to cater to different nutritional needs. Some residents may need the aid of a caregiver during meal times, so business owners should ensure adequate space for this. Other residents may have specific dietary or cultural preferences.

5. Enhance Current Living Spaces

Residents need a comfortable living space to feel at home. Consider renovating existing structures to accommodate the needs of residents and invest in constructing new living spaces that are more spacious. Expand outdoor areas by creating shade structures outside apartments, providing more space for residents to relax outside their homes.

Outdoor Areas to Relax Outside

Design also plays a vital role in creating living spaces that are both fun and functional. Whether renovating or constructing new apartments, townhomes or houses, consider the following design elements:

  • Comfort: Make the living spaces more inviting with better lighting, ergonomic furniture and other thoughtful design elements. Even the simplest touches can help residents feel more comfortable in their new spaces.
  • Accessibility: Include mobility features to make it easier for residents to navigate their living spaces. Widen doors and hallways, add ramps and handrails, and provide accessible bathrooms and adjustable cabinets and countertops. Consider adaptive devices, such as strobe lights attached to smoke detectors, to improve communication and safety for residents with hearing impairments.
  • Safety: Put residents’ safety first by including nonslip flooring, door levers instead of door knobs and emergency alert systems. Security systems are also important for increased safety and peace of mind.
  • Versatility: Install outdoor lighting and place furniture strategically to create spaces for solitude or socialization. While you want to encourage residents to get to know one another, you also want to give them plenty of areas to rest and spend time alone.

6. Provide Transportation

Mobility is essential for older adults to feel comfortable and independent. Providing transport assistance makes it easier for residents to get to doctors’ appointments, shop or attend various activities without relying on family or friends.

Transport assistance doesn’t need to be costly. Volunteers can help, or you can collaborate with businesses to set specific days for group outings to shops and activities. Your community can invest in a shuttle and create a daily or weekly schedule with drop-off and pickup points. Add shade structures at the community’s shuttle stop to keep residents out of the sun or rain while they wait.

Build Courtyards

7. Build Courtyards

Maintaining a connection with nature is essential for people of all ages. Being outside can improve mental and physical health and various mental abilities, such as thinking and reasoning. Nature is particularly beneficial for older individuals with chronic health issues. It could help them recover from and prevent illnesses and also support healthy aging.

Building courtyards around the retirement community can help members enjoy the outdoors in a relaxing, social environment. Add elements like artwork and flexible furniture to serve different purposes and add visual interest to courtyards. Courtyards that encourage engagement, mental stimulation and learning opportunities offer education, entertainment and socialization opportunities.

Get Shade and Fabric Structure Solutions for Your Business at USA SHADE

Are you a retirement community owner looking to add more shade to your community’s outdoor spaces? At USA SHADE, we create high-quality shade and fabric structures that can help create more functional outdoor spaces, protect residents from excess sunlight and add value to the property. Our team of in-house experts in construction, engineering and manufacturing creates shade structures with cutting-edge technology and uncompromising quality.

Our range of shade structures is an asset to retirement communities and any business property. We also offer a shade structure builder tool that allows your business to create a personalized end product. Our quick-ship shade structures are made to your specifications with a lead time of four weeks.

Shop our selection or speak with an expert today!

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