How Can Residents Help Plan Special Events in an Independent Living Community?

As we get older and life suddenly feels to slow down, it’s easier to lose the sense of purpose amidst the stillness. That’s where independent living communities come in, ensuring that there is enough noise and movement in your life to keep you engaged and entertained every day. Special events are the main highlight of daily living in independent retirement communities, where seniors are often encouraged to take an active part in the planning and execution. 

In this post, we’ll explore how you, as a resident in an independent living community, can help plan special events. But before that, let’s see why it’s so important for senior living communities to plan and organize events and activities for their residents regularly. 

Importance of Special Events in an Independent Living Community 

Provides a Sense of Purpose

It’s easier for older adults to lose their sense of purpose in retirement years, especially when they don’t have many things to look forward to. Independent living communities organize dozens of social activities and events every month to keep residents engaged and focused. Some of these activities are solely for entertainment purposes, while others, such as educational seminars, are great for teaching and helping older adults learn new things. 

Fosters Connection

As you get older, you might not find many opportunities to socialize and interact with people, especially when you have retired from your job and are staying more at home. Participating in special events in an independent living community is a great way to meet new people who are in the same phase of life as you. Since everyone shares the same experience, it’s easier to bond and foster a connection without forcing yourself out of your comfort zone. 

Enhances Physical Well-being

Engaging in physical activity is the core of maintaining your health. However, at times, you may not find enough motivation to stick to a workout routine. Fortunately, special events in independent living communities encourage residents to engage in excessive physical activity without them even realizing it. 

Promotes Mental Growth

Regularly participating in special events is not only important for your physical well-being but also great for your mental growth. Many people, when they reach a certain age, give up on learning new things and acquiring new experiences. However, in an independent living community, you have more opportunities than you can count to learn something new.

Residents Helping Plan Special Events in an Independent Living Community

There’s always something exciting happening in independent living communities. Alongside their own planned events, they also encourage residents to plan special events and activities that enhance the community experience for everyone. Here are three ways you can contribute to planning special events in an independent living home.

Helping Generate Ideas

Independent living communities plan dozens of social events every month, targeting a range of interests. But without the help of their residents, they may soon run out of ideas. Residents are encouraged to share ideas and interests that would light up the event. Moreover, sometimes, it’s difficult for staff to understand what their residents will enjoy and what they might find boring. So, they directly ask residents to help them with ideas to plan special events.

Volunteering and Sharing Skills

For some special events, independent living communities appreciate the manpower offered by residents. Many active seniors are more than happy to volunteer and take a more interactive role in planning an event. If you have skills and knowledge that can contribute to organizing a special event, you can share it with the community, and together, organize fun and exciting events.

Polling Preferences

Senior living communities can have dozens of residents all with different hobbies and interests. An event that appeals to one may not mean anything to the other. Independent living communities often struggle with coming up with events that can please the majority of the residents. That’s where they may hold polling for residents regarding their preferences for activities, helping the community expertly plan special events. 

Wanting to Enjoy Your Retirement Years to the Fullest? Move to University Place Independent Living Today!

Aging has been stigmatized with many negative things like declining health, losing independence, and overall low quality of life. It’s to the point that people fear getting older and experiencing what it’s like to live through retirement years. 

Top senior retirement homes, like University Place Independent Living, put these fears to sleep by providing a fun and exciting retirement life that everyone looks forward to living. Here at University Place, every day is an opportunity to participate in social events and make lots of friends. Whether you’re a social butterfly or someone who likes to hang out with a small group of people, we have everything you need to call us your new home. 

Schedule a tour of University Place Independent Living today to experience what it’s like to live in our safe, comfortable, and fun community!