"The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience."- Eleanor Roosevelt
Nearly every senior living community has activities to keep residents busy and entertained. But at MBK Senior Living, it's not just about providing residents "something to do," it's about cultivating passions and finding purpose in every day!
Studies have shown that having a sense of purpose has lifelong benefits and that purposeful people tend to be healthier and live longer. That's why for National Activities Professional Week, we're celebrating the MBK team members who encourage our residents' purposeful pursuits, richer experiences, and active lifestyles.
MBK Senior Living programming goes deeper than traditional activities like Bingo, crosswords, and chair stretches. It promotes residents' lifelong learning interests, actively encourages residents to find and share their passion, and strives to partner with each resident to identify and live their purpose.
"It's not about just providing residents something to do. It's about making a genuine impact on residents' overall wellness, happiness, and longevity," said Diana Engle, MBK Senior Living's National Director of Wellness Programming.
According to Diana, healthy aging starts by developing healthy habits and continues by keeping seniors at the heart of family and community and understanding seniors' wellness needs and their value to society. That's why at MBK communities, residents find clubs, interest groups, volunteer roles, in-house teaching and leadership positions, community engagement committees, and a variety of pursuits and projects all based on one person, or a like-minded group's passion.
Take, for example, at The Reserve, MBK's community in Thousand Oaks, California. Residents lead more than 20 different programs based on their interests, hobbies, and personal experiences. One resident, Pat, leads a weekly technology class that helps fellow residents utilize their phones, iPads, and other devices far beyond making a call. Two others organized a high tea complete with ice breaker cards on each table to encourage conversation and new friendships. Another is teaching friends and neighbors how to speak in his native tongue - French.
According to The Reserve's Director of Resident Enrichment, Liina Cuba, she loves helping residents find and share their purpose. She said that it's not uncommon for residents to attend a resident-led class and come to her with an idea of what activity or class they can lead.
"Everyone has a purpose and something to share," said Liina. "Whether it's a one-time class or ongoing offering, residents love getting involved and are so happy when they can share their passion."
Residents who lead active lifestyles reap incredible benefits such as greater self-esteem, are more secure and less anxious, feel more fulfilled and happier. Moreover, staying active physically and mentally can decrease risks associated with aging, and improve health, social engagement, and cognitive function.
Supplementing the host of activities that are resident initiated, MBK Senior Living communities have a robust calendar of social, spiritual, educational, and physical activities that provide new opportunities daily. This year, MBK communities take a monthly tour around the world, exploring various destinations by learning about the culture, sampling the foods, participating in an activity enjoyed by natives, and so much more.
At The Commons at Union Ranch in Manteca, California, the first stop in the community's globe-trotting adventure will be France. Taking advantage of the culinary expertise of the community's new chef, residents will enjoy French-inspired cuisine. Meanwhile, residents at sister-community, The Commons at Dallas Ranch, will toast to love as they explore Napa Valley's wine region riding the wine train and enjoying a picnic.
In February, at The Bellettini, residents will enjoy a French immersion experience, including a French-inspired menu, French lessons, armchair travel to the regions of France, history for France, and old-world French wine.
The Bellettini residents actively engage in pursuits that bring joy to themselves, other residents, and their surrounding community throughout the year. Weekly, residents come together to arrange flowers for the restaurant, deliver meals and menus to other residents, and support our new neighbors "Mary's Place," women and family shelter.
Another wonderful example of purposeful living is The Bellettini resident, Father Steve Szeman, one of the longest ordained priests still alive. He provides Catholic mass to approximately 15 residents every Saturday at The Bellettini. He also distributes communion and offers sacraments.
"The breadth of perspectives and experiences our residents offer to our communities is incredible," said Diana. "How our Resident Enrichment Directors partner with residents to leverage those experiences to provide fulfillment, energy, and opportunity is equally amazing. It is a wonderful thing to witness daily in our communities."
