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How Shared Living in Memory Care Enriches the Lives of Its Residents
Human beings are wired to be connected to other human beings. This is especially true for memory care residents, who benefit profoundly from positive engagement with each other, as well as with family, staff, and visitors to the community in which they live.
Much of this engagement starts with shared living, an option for memory care residents that more and more families are choosing for their loved one. Why? Important physical and mental health benefits, an overall improvement in mood, and improved quality of life.
Social connection has always been essential for good health
Psychologist Abraham Maslow identified social connection as an essential human need.* It is believed that humans have always organized into social structures. Indeed, our innate tendency to form social groups has been key to surviving and thriving for thousands of years. When we sense a connection with another person, we typically experience less anxiety and depression. We are more likely to have positive self-esteem. We are more empathetic and trusting.
Yet as people age, social circles shrink, and spending more time alone becomes the norm. Over time, an absence of human contact leads to a drop in cognitive function…as well as poor physical health. That’s why it’s so important to remember that even as they age, the ones you love still have a need for connection.
Calls, texts and emails are fine, but there is simply no replacement for face-to-face time.
How memory care residents can benefit from shared living
Having a roommate helps residents feel less isolated and lonely
They are greeted daily by a familiar face, which offers a feeling of family and connection.
Shared living also builds the opportunity for companionship, friendship and camaraderie
Being close by someone else who shares the same challenges and triumphs during the day is a huge boost. A roommate offers positive triggers to get up and get started, as well as wind down and rest at the end of the day. Memory care residents in shared living also tend to wander less and show reduced anxiety.
A roommate can help your parent get back into a daily routine
The result is less anxiousness and an enhanced sense of well-being. Other benefits** that come from a routine include improved sleep, reduced stress, increased activity, and a sense of security.
Sharing a living space may also help slow down the cognitive decline commonly associated with memory problems
A roommate can provide constant stimuli and social contact, as opposed to what happens in a big box community where your loved one could be in a large private room all day with little contact with other memory care residents.
Sharing a room with a roommate makes the transition to their new home easier
This is especially true in residential assisted living, such as Assured Senior Living, where residents enjoy the familiar features of a home in a friendly neighborhood.
Having a roommate encourages more activity
Your parent sees their roommate going to a crafts class, or joining the group for an activity or meal, and wants to go along. When there’s a roommate who is often up and about, it encourages exploration of more parts of the community setting. More movement; more health benefits.
Shared living increases daily interactions with other memory care residents, as well as with visiting family and friends
A recent study*** based in England concluded that engaging daily gives those with cognitive issues opportunities to keep their cognitive abilities in use on a more consistent basis. This can mean activating their memories to share stories, or simply staying connected with the language centers of their brains.
In shared living, residents may find it easier to thrive, feel part of a community, and find joy throughout the day
At Assured Senior Living, we’ve seen how shared living can significantly benefit the happiness and wellbeing of our memory care residents. In our tight-knit, neighborhood cluster assisted living memory care communities, we specialize in providing purposeful, personalized care to individuals with Alzheimer’s disease, other types of dementia, and traumatic brain injury.
Our wonderful, quality of life-enhancing programs include pet therapy, music therapy, and aromatherapy. With our 1-4 staff to resident ratio, our memory care community members never want for personalized attention and connection with friendly faces they know and trust.
We offer comfort, consideration, and compassion—in a community that feels like home.
Learn more about what sets us apart. Contact us today, or download our free Family Decision Toolkit guide for more information.
*”Maslow’s hierarchy of needs: Uses and Criticisms,” MedicalNewsToday
**”The Importance of a Daily Routine for Seniors,” Melanie Donahue, LSCW, BlueMoon Senior Counseling.com
***”Social Interaction for People with Dementia,” Keystone Health
