Getting Back to Fun
For the first five years of Jemma’s life, her grandmother, Sarah, lived around the corner. Jemma’s “Mimi” helped during those early years of Jemma’s life, before Jemma started school, and the two became very close. When Sarah fell and broke a hip, she and her daughter, Kate, decided that Independent Living in a nearby Life Plan Community following rehabilitation would be a good way to ensure that Sarah had access to activities and socialization during the day and care as needed.
At the tender age of six, Jemma thought the time it took her Mimi to have surgery, recover, and finish rehab was endless. “When,” she asked her mother, “can my Mimi and I get back to fun?”
The Importance of Family
Family involvement is vital to the wellbeing of older adults living in retirement communities. Most seniors love their communities, and have a wealth of friends and activities. But strong connections to family members are also essential to a senior’s wellbeing—and should be maintained and nurtured. And getting involved with your loved one’s community will strengthen these all-important bonds.
Staying Connected
To support family connections and to recognize the importance of continuity of care, many communities encourage family members to continue to be involved in their loved one’s personal and medical care. For example, a family member may attend doctors’ appointments if the resident is comfortable with him or her doing so.
Communities also provide space for family functions, such as outdoor pavilions and private dining rooms, so families can celebrate special events or milestones together. Encouraging families to visit, participate in holiday events, and attend meals is another way family members are welcomed into community life. Some communities encourage family members to spend time on campus doing volunteer work, such as sharing a skill or talent with residents.
Here are some specific ideas for getting involved in your loved one’s community occasionally or on a regular basis:
- Help decorate the dining room for a holiday celebration
- Work with residents in the community garden
- Offer to teach a class in knitting or crochet
- Start and lead a walking group
- Teach an arts-and-crafts class
- Read aloud; start a writer’s group
- Organize a community talent show
- Help residents communicate with distant family members via email
- Show residents how to use the Internet/computer
- Interview residents and record their personal stories
- Start a scrapbooking club
Activities Galore!
Fortunately, Sarah’s Life Plan Community—like most others— encourages family involvement, and Jemma and her parents have had no shortage of opportunities to visit Mimi for some good times. This summer, they attended a family Independence Day picnic. Jemma’s dad helped cook the burgers and hot dogs, and everyone enjoyed a corn hole tournament and home-made ice cream after the meal.
Jemma was thrilled to learn that her friend Carmen’s grandparents live in the same community as Mimi. Carmen’s mom organized a mother-daughter-granddaughter back-to-school tea in late August, with everyone bringing school days pictures and sharing a favorite grade-school memory.
Every other Sunday, Jemma and her parents join Mimi for “Sunday Supper” and a stroll around the campus gardens. They catch up on their week, and plan their next family activity. This fall, a Halloween parade, Turkey Trot campus walk to raise money for Toys for Tots, and a Holiday Sing-Along are in the works.
Working Together
“It’s all about community,” said Kate to her mother. In fact, she mused privately, it’s actually been easier staying connected and having fun together since her mother moved into her Life Plan Community. The existing structure of campus life makes it easy to jump in and get involved without trying to do everything for her mother herself. Other adult children pitch in, too, the staff are great, the amenities are fantastic—it’s all right there on campus! Plus, Kate thought, she doesn’t have to constantly worry about her mother being alone during the day or feeling lonely. She feels confident that her mother is in a good place and is enjoying life.
Now Kate feels free to enjoy the time she spends with her mother—and her daughter. And, of course, Jemma loves having fun with her Mimi!
