De-stressing the Golden Years

The so-called “golden years” aren’t always as care-free as expected. As folks age, they face a whole new set of stress factors. Changes in health, retirement, the loss of loved ones, and maintaining a home can all contribute to feelings of stress and anxiety.

Unfortunately, science shows that the older we get the longer it takes our bodies to recover from stress. This can complicate conditions many seniors already face like heart disease, high blood pressure, digestive problems, sleep disorders and depression.

On the surface, making a move to a senior living community may seem like another source of stress, but in the long run it can actually provide a healthier and more fulfilling lifestyle. Those living at Pathway Senior Living communities don’t have to worry about housing upkeep, shopping and preparing meals, or isolation and loneliness. Loved ones have peace-of-mind knowing that help is at the ready, day or night.

Pathway communities offer residents plenty of opportunities for socialization and engagement, life-long learning, exercise and even adventure in the form of camping and horseback riding. Through Pathway’s See Spot Retire program, each community enjoys having its own rescue dog onsite and residents experience the joy and health benefits of pet ownership. As part of the Victory Gardens program, green-thumbed residents help plant and tend to vegetable and flower patches while reaping the physical, psychological and social benefits of gardening. Some seniors find meaning in doing volunteer work as part of our Sharing and Caring program while others prefer the intellectual stimulation of attending one of our lifelong learning courses.

This is just a sampling of the many ways Pathway communities help keep seniors as independent as possible while providing a sense of purpose and productivity as well as fun! The beauty is that all of the options have the potential to improve health and wellness and combat stress and depression. Pathway communities offer many paths to happiness, which direction residents take is their choice.