The Hidden Blessings of Assisted Living!

By Dave Olson, Realtor®, SRES^TM RE/MAX EXCEL

For you who know me, you know that my interest in helping Seniors with Real Estate began with my wife’s personal passion for older people. My wife Candy has long had a heart for older folks, and that led her to pursue her master’s degree in Gerontology which she completed with honors. Gerontology is the study of the biological, psychological, and social aspects of aging.  She simply loves older people and chose to make her passion her life’s work to serve people as they age. Her heart led her to a career serving people in the Assisted Living setting as their Activities Director at our local premier Assisted Living Center.

Through her work, I see firsthand the benefits of quality Assisted Living care. Assisted living is the right choice when people are high functioning, but may need help with managing medications, or may need a more structured environment with services and benefits available as needed. The provided care, meals, cleaning, nursing and caregiving are all wonderful benefits when the time is right to seek assistance in the day-to-day functions we all need.

While those functions are very important, I was surprised to learn how the more intangible benefits she personally helps provide bless the people she serves. As an Activity Director, her primary job is to help as many people as she can engage to have as much fun as she can provide. She takes her work very seriously and strives to provide the best possible full schedule of varied activities and events. 

When done well, activities provided and the level of connection made with the residents truly set apart premier facilities from others. Quality activities reach the heart and soul and make life truly enriched. 

The light bulb came on for me as I learned how people blossom when they “plug in” early on to the activities and social resources available to them at a high-quality Assisted Living.  As a result of her work, I’ve seen people flourish in making new friends, develop enjoyable new activities and explore common interests, and personal interests too. “Plugged in” residents enjoy their days and look forward to the activity calendar each week. They remain more active and choose to gather socially. Residents often develop organic friendships as an unplanned benefit from participating in structured activities. Once they’ve connected personally, their lives are more enriched by new friends that live in community with them. 

Community volunteers make a big difference at a well-managed Assisted Living.  Just last week the local high school football team showed up on Friday for the Happy Hour music event! The boys were a big hit and brought smiles to a lot of faces. Church groups and choirs often come for the holidays and the effect they have on the hearts of those they come to serve is obvious. 

A vibrant Assisted Living can certainly BLESS the hearts of the people they serve and make lives richer and happier along the way.