There is a misconception that senior living means sitting isolated in a room for the rest of your days. Instead, we prefer to ask what’s next during this exciting new phase of life. Aging isn’t the end. It is the beginning of finding new experiences and striving to accomplish things one always wanted to do. 

At many of our MBK Senior Living communities, we are encouraging and supporting a resident-run club that provides our senior living residents with the opportunity to manage the Adventurer’s Club program and be active participants in the spirit of adventure. 

The Adventurer’s Club at MBK Senior Living
Residents of participating MBK Senior Living communities get together at least monthly to discuss ideas, reminisce about fun trips they have had in the past, and look at what adventures may be available to them by watching television, documentaries, or YouTube videos. 

Once an adventure is chosen, our team members assist in helping coordinate, with some joining in on the fun. 

“The club is a chance to break the mold of the current paradigm in senior living, allowing our seniors to be a guide in the programming process,” said Donal McGraw, Regional Director of Wellness Programming & MBK Fit. “This shift will lead to incredible moments of inspiration, connection, long-lasting bonds, and greater health outcomes for our residents and staff.”

Examples of adventures include hiking, kayaking, biking, ziplining, sailing, skydiving, horseback riding, hot air ballooning, race car ride-alongs, paragliding, boogie boarding, offroad trucking, rock climbing, camping, bungee jumping, indoor skydiving, river cruising, axe throwing, and archery.

The Health Benefits of Adventure for Seniors
Our goal at MBK is to help facilitate amazing experiences as our residents continue to age. We want the seniors residing in our communities to feel inspired to explore this phase of their lives where they can fulfill many of the exciting activities they always dreamed of accomplishing.

We also believe–and have seen for ourselves–that partaking in new adventures, as well as fitness, promotes healthy living and fosters even more of a sense of community among seniors. 

Adventure also:

• Promotes physical activity which can improve strength, flexibility, and balance
• Challenges the mind and can promote cognitive health
• Can boost mood, reduce stress, and improve overall well-being
• Can help seniors stay socially engaged and connected to others

Studies have shown that “People with higher physical activity levels were more likely to be satisfied with their health and well-being.” The Adventurer’s Club and MBK Fit programming in our communities help promote lifestyles that increase the chances of healthy aging.

Recent Adventure Activities at MBK Senior Living
Recently, some of our residents went Go Karting. Residents Karleen, Althea, Stan, and Laura went on this particular adventure. When being helped into her kart, Althea raved to the attendant, “We are just out here acting like 10-year-olds!”

The oldest resident in attendance that day was Karleen, who is 95 years young. Leslie Rusher, the Director of Wellness Programming at The Inn at Greenwood Village, shared with us, “The whole experience was very safe and tame, but felt adventurous for the residents.” She also noted that other seniors in the community commented they wished they had been brave enough to go. 

Next up for this group of adventurers is indoor skydiving. We wish them all the fun and excitement in the world.