By Charlotte Boatwright, R.N., Ph. D.
Humans are social animals by nature. Even babies will engage each other with interest. As we age, we usually grow in our ability to form relationships, so they ordinarily deepen and become more meaningful as we progress through life. Older adults have the capacity and need for compassionate, tender and loving relationships. Over the course of their lives most have developed the skills and knowledge about forming relationships. When a spouse dies, the partner that is left does not stop needing another person to bear witness to his or her life. The remaining partner is still in need of affection, companionship and a mutually caring relationship. Studies have confirmed that healthy adults need to continue relationships into old age. There is much evidence to support the fact that people who are married or in satisfactory intimate relationships tend to be healthier and live longer.
Throughout the Chattanooga area, there is a variety of senior care available and each is dedicated to the physical and mental care of older adults. These facilities, located throughout the Region, understand the importance of socialization and relationships on the long term health of their residents. Each in their own special way, offer programs that allow residents the opportunity to form new friendships and longer term relationships, and enjoy their lives.
According to Greg Vital, President and CEO of Independent Healthcare Properties, “Socialization is a critical factor for expanding the horizons of life.” At Morning Pointe Assisted Living Residences, a variety of group activities, field trips and a number of programs supported by volunteers are offered for residents. At Greenbriar Cove Retirement Community, a special community center and clubhouse serves as the place for friends to come together and for new friends to be made. An indoor swimming pool, wellness and fitness center, game room, kitchen and library allow residents to meet and enjoy each other’s company. A business center with internet service allows residents to remain connected with friends and relatives.
Mr. Vital, notes, “As people get older, they may lose a spouse, friends or other family members, and at the same time they often have to deal with their own medical challenges. It is a time when a person can easily feel lonely, disconnected and depressed. We provide basic medical care with social events and activities to help our residents remain healthy physically and mentally. Providing a community for people to make new friendships and remain connected is essential for older adults to live longer, healthier lives.”
At East Ridge Retirement Center residents are independent and active. “We do outings such as going to the Aquarium or out to eat. Residents go shopping and have cookouts. We have water aerobics and bring in entertainment for them and usually have a large turnout,” says Ginny Masa, Marketing Director. “Many of our new residents move here from other places. We have a resident who just moved here from California who goes to everything. She has had to form new friendships because she did not know anyone here. Residents do things as a group and get to know each other. They often form good friendships and look out for each other. Some of our men tend to be pretty quiet when they first come in. We place them with others at dinner time and they get to talking and find that they have similar interests. I have seen many of them come out of their shells by being active and doing things together. They play games and work puzzles and make new friends. They need that because it keeps them active and they live longer, healthier lives. They should be able to enjoy the fun things in life at this stage without having to worry about cleaning or keeping up a house.”
Deborah Taube, Public Relations Director with St. Barnabas Assisted Living and Nursing Home, says that many of their residents indicate that they have more friends than they have ever had because of the many activities and opportunities to socialize and do things in the community. “They congregate and enjoy forming groups to learn together or share things that they have done” says Taube. Melinda Kinsey, Activities Director, noticed that some residents in the assisted living facility do not have a lot of visitors. “We encourage them volunteer in our nursing home. It gives them something to look forward to and they end up making new friends,” Kinsey explains. “They can go back and forth between facilities to visit and it makes them feel useful and productive. The nursing home residents really look forward to having them come and they miss them if they do not come for a few days. Several years ago we had some residents who met in our facility and were married here. We have one couple now who sit on the couch and hold hands all day. One had never been married and the other person’s spouse had passed away. They need the touch and companionship. We never get too old to need love and affection.”
Rhonda Gilreath, R N.C. is owner of Rosewood Supportive Services. Her agency provides many in-home services for seniors such as bathing, companionship, homemaking, cooking and running errands. Her staff helps clients with daily activities that they may not be able to manage alone any more. Though they do not provide activities for the client, they do encourage them to be as independent as they are able to be, to be active and to get out of the house to continue relationships with friends and family. “Our goal is to help the client to achieve their greatest potential and return to activities in the community that they have been involved with,” says Gilreath. “We try to help them become re-involved with their church, senior center or other groups in which they have interest. Often they can no longer drive and they need someone to take them to the doctor or to visit a friend or relative. We can provide transportation for shopping, going to a movie, out to eat or other activities that want to be able to do,” she says. Rosewood also provides services to clients in assisted living facilities who may need transportation or other assistance. “We encourage contact with others because it increases clients’ self esteem and helps to keep them from being lonely and becoming withdrawn or depressed,” Gilreath explains.
“The older adult ministries of the Alexian Brothers focus on a holistic approach to meeting the needs and desires of the people we serve,” says Jeffrey Ott, President and CEO of Alexian Village of Tennessee. “As a society, when we talk about the needs of older adults we might discuss the provision of healthcare services, the importance of balanced nutrition in the geriatric population, or the transportation challenges facing today’s older adults, for example. But rarely do we discuss the necessity of human interaction in the adult population. It is vitally important to provide opportunities for people to interact and socialize with each other,” Ott says. “Whether a person is healthy and active, or frail and dependent, the desire for social fulfillment is just as important as the need for essential healthcare.
Mary Gadd, R.N. is Senior Vice President and founder of Guardian Home Care. Her organization provides a variety of in-home health care services such as bathing, assistance with medications and other activities.” Our services help to keep the clients in their home as long as possible. Medicare has challenged home care agencies to encourage patients to realize their highest potential and remain as active and independent as possible. We offer an alternative to hospitalization or institutional care. For some people, having to leave their home is their greatest fear,” says Gadd. Though Guardian does not plan activities for their patients, they do encourage activity and involvement in church, community activities and other interests both in and outside the home. Sometimes family members have not contacted the patient in a long time, so Guardian will try to locate family and gently nudge them to make contact with the older relative. “They may have an old disagreement or grudge that has been held for years,” Gadd explains. “Sometimes, all it takes is one of our staff making a contact to say that they are taking care of the relative and encouraging contact. It doesn’t always work, but we feel that it is important to make this effort,” she says.
_______________
Many levels of senior care are available in the Chattanooga area and all offer a variety of opportunities for their guests or clients to form new friendships and relationships. Senior friendships are an essential element in daily activities, whether they are in residential programs or using in-home services. Providers recognize the importance of relationships and “staying connected” with family and the community, on the health and well being of their residents.