At retirement homes, seniors are finding community through methods old and new
It’s right there in the name—retirement community. For many seniors, one of the main draws of moving into a retirement village or nursing home is the sense of community that comes with it.
Older adults are one of the groups that are most vulnerable to social isolation and loneliness—conditions that come with health risks. Research has linked social isolation and loneliness in seniors to higher risks for high blood pressure, depression, anxiety and more.
Retirement communities across Greater Cincinnati work to offer seniors plenty of options for staying social, from worship services and game nights to group excursions out to cultural events.
Worshiping Together
Religion and religious services are a priority for older adults. Sixty-five percent of adults over 65 said religion was “very important” in a 2014 Pew Research Center poll, a higher percentage than any other age group. When making their retirement plans, many seniors look to faith-based communities to provide for their spiritual needs.
Christian Village Communities dedicated the beautiful Stone Worship Center and Auditorium at its Mason campus in 2021, where worship services are held weekly and are open to all. The large wooden cross that hangs in the Stone Center’s auditorium was built by Christian Village residents in the community’s on-campus wood shop.
Majestic Care of Cedar Village, which was previously operated by the Jewish Home of Cincinnati and maintains a strong partnership with the organization, offers many resources for Jewish residents, including Shabbat services and an on-staff rabbi, who is available five days a week.
Like most faith-based communities, both Christian Village and Cedar Village are open to those of all faiths and backgrounds.
New Options
While all seniors are vulnerable to isolation and loneliness, members of certain groups are more likely to face heightened risks of social isolation. Cincinnati opened the region’s first senior affordable housing development geared toward LGBTQ+ residents, John Arthur Flats, in Northside in 2022.
The new development, which aims to address the specific needs of LGBTQ+ seniors, is one of the first of its kind in the country, and may be a trendsetter. Named for John Arthur, the Cincinnatian whose relationship with Jim Obergefell was the basis for the Supreme Court case Obergefell v. Hodges, the development features 57 apartments with access to on-site amenities including medical care.
Technology
The COVID-19 pandemic forced the senior living industry to find new ways to bring the community together, bringing more forms of technology into the day-to-day lives of residents. Now, most retirement communities in the area have rolled back their COVID protocols, but the effects of the pandemic can still be seen—particularly in the day-to-day use of technology in retirement homes.
Many seniors grew more comfortable with video calls during the pandemic, making it easier than ever to feel close to family and friends who are far away. Older adults can encounter difficulties as they learn and navigate new technology, sometimes finding it frustrating that devices don’t seem to be designed with them in mind. But many retirement communities have employees on hand who are available to guide and assist residents who encounter difficulties.
