Companionship and Community are Essential for Good Health
March 2008

By Mary Phaneuf, regional director for The Arbors assisted living communities

The science of the past decade has demonstrated that love, companionship and community are woven deeply into our DNA. One study shows that mood in your 20s can predict your risk of being inflicted with Alzheimer’s disease in your 80s.

Your degree of social connection can be an indicator of how well you will avoid age related disease, as well as your odds of living longer. Love, friendship and community aren’t necessarily prescribed by your doctor, but they should be.

All connections matter in this new world. For many elders with families dispersed across the country, or for those who have families spending many hours in the workplace, it is imperative that connections with community are a priority.

Older men and women are recognizing the benefit of the community lifestyle that retirement housing such as assisted livings offer. These types of communal housing options offer opportunities to establish new relationships, share hobbies, or join learning groups. Residents who are living in these communities no longer require a car to take advantage of these opportunities. Very often there is an activity director who will arrange social programs to be held on the premises or will transport the residents in the community van.

You can’t shut emotions off. Like it or not, we are emotional beings. It is as much a part of you as breathing. If we understand this and consider its importance in our decision making process, our life or the life of our elderly parent will be better and maybe even longer. At the very least, it will not be lonely or boring.

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