Posted: June 3, 2022
We all know how important it is to take care of our bodies, particularly as we age. But there is so much more to wellness than just the physical aspect. At Bella Vita, an active adult living community in the greater Aurora area, we believe that wellness is not a set of programs, but a continuous lifestyle that is ever changing. We take a holistic approach to wellness that helps a person live their best life, whatever that may look like for each individual.
We have created Five Pillars of Wellness that our residents and associates can use as a foundation for a healthy lifestyle. Within these pillars, residents, family members, and associates will be able to define and develop their own path of wellness based on their individual needs and passions. Here are Bella Vita’s Five Pillars of Wellness for active adult living:
Loneliness can be a common problem among older adults, especially since oftentimes the opportunity for social interaction can be limited. Studies have proven that having regular social interaction leads to happier and more fulfilled lives and this has a correlation with long-term mental health. In fact, a recent Harvard Medical School study found that older adults who interacted with people outside of their usual family and friend circle were more likely to be more active, have greater positive moods, and fewer negative feelings.
At Bella Vita, residents have the opportunity to participate in a variety of social activities from game nights to happy hours enjoying the beautiful sunsets on the outdoor terrace.. But what makes our active older adult community special is that our programming and activities are driven by residents. That means that our residents are instrumental in creating the monthly newsletter and calendar and in charge of everything from movie selections to continuing education opportunities.
At Bella Vita, we believe that it is just as important to maintain brain health as it is physical health. According to the National Institute on Aging, as we age our brain health can be affected by a variety of age-related changes and there are some factors that affect brain health that can’t be changed. However, there are lifestyle changes that may help make a difference in maintaining good brain health, one of which is keeping your mind active.
Some studies show that learning new skills and stimulating the brain can help improve thinking and memory. There are so many fun activities that can help stimulate the mind and best of all, some of them provide a way to meet new people and be more social. At Bella Vita residents are in charge of choosing what continuing education opportunities they would like to participate in so they will always have an opportunity to learn something that interests them.
As we get older, it becomes more and more important to maintain physical strength, balance, and flexibility. Bella Vita’s Movement 4 Life program aims to get residents moving again by emphasizing the importance of moving throughout the day.
Take our Movement 4 Life challenge! These four core movements are recommended by our physical therapists:
Whether it is in the form of taking a walk or cleaning their home, exercise helps older adults reduce falls, improve strength and balance, and improve mental health and overall quality of life. Plus, it’s a great way to make new friends!
As a society we underestimate the desire and need for older adults to have purpose. We expect them to just slow down and enjoy their golden years, but the fact remains that older adults who have a sense of purpose enjoy life more and stay healthier. Studies show that older adults with a sense of purpose are more likely to live longer and less likely to develop cognitive impairments.
Does this mean that having a sense of purpose is the twenty first century fountain of youth? Probably not, but it does help maintain motivation and a zest for life that keeps us young at heart and enjoying our lives to the fullest. This is why the residents of Bella Vita are so involved in the activities and programming at our community. This is their home and their opinions matter.
And finally, let’s not forget about spiritual wellness. For some this may mean religion, for others it may be some other form of spirituality. Spirituality becomes a bigger part of many people’s lives as they get older and the belief in god tends to also increase. According to an article published in the National Library of Medicine on the role of religion/spirituality in older adults, “spirituality and/or belief can have numerous positive outcomes for older adults including enhanced health and well-being, greater capacity to cope, social support, and opportunities to participate in society.”
This pillar has a tremendous benefit on not just the mind and body, but the soul and it rounds out our holistic approach to wellness. For those who do have a religious affiliation, the Bella Vita active adult living community is also centrally located to several houses of worship within a 5 miles radius, and we welcome all faiths to celebrate life with us.
At Bella Vita, we believe that regardless of age, humans want to have quality of life that includes daily doses of engagement, movement, lifelong learning, a sense of purpose, and meaningful growth in life’s journey. Contact us at any time, we are happy to answer any questions you may have and learn more about our active community and how we live our pillars of wellness.
© 2023 Bella Vita
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