The holiday season should be the most wonderful time for the year, but for many seniors it’s anything but, says Laurie Ralston, Marketing Director at Kingswood Senior Living.
“For people who have lost loved ones or who are otherwise alone at the holidays, this time of year can be stressful, sad and lonely,” Laurie says. This is particularly true for seniors as they are being dealt a double whammy this year, since they’re the age group who are most at risk for coronavirus complications – and are the age group most likely to be alone during the holidays.
Since many families are rethinking how they will be celebrating the holidays this year, seniors may find themselves more isolated than ever. This may make 2020 the perfect time to move into a senior living community. There are so many benefits and conveniences that can help combat senior loneliness during the holiday season, and that’s just for starters.
“If you or a senior in your life have been feeling lonely, bored or isolated, a senior living community like Kingswood can be the perfect solution,” Laurie says. “Not only are we following strict guidelines to ensure the health and safety of our residents, we also have all sorts of fun events and activities coming up to celebrate the holiday season. We understand how valuable friends and family can be, and we’re doing everything possible to make sure no one feels alone this holiday season.”
Why Senior Living Makes the Season Bright
We’re an instant community (literally and figuratively). Living in your own home – even if you have someone there living with you – can get lonely, especially if you aren’t able to get out and spend time with friends and family. At a community, seeing your friends is as easy as walking out your front door. Kingswood residents live in either a villa or apartment but have access to all the amenities and services in our community. You can be as social as you like – all you have to do is show up.
We celebrate the season. Hanging decorations and getting everything decked out for the holidays is fun, but it also is a lot of work. Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered at Kingswood. A senior living community is incredibly lively during the holiday season with seasonal decor, festive events and activities and so much more. You’ll even enjoy big holiday meals without having to cook or clean up.
You aren’t stuck “at home.” When the weather starts to get cold and the roads become treacherous, seniors may not want to risk driving. But that doesn’t have to be an issue at a senior living community. Most communities offer transportation services to different events and even personal appointments, making it a whole lot easier to take care of things like doctor’s visits and other errands.
You don’t have to worry about winter weather. If you’ve lived in Kansas City long enough, you know that there are some years when we get snow and ice storms that paralyze the city. If you’re living at home, you have to deal with snowy driveways, icy sidewalks and electricity that may go out during a particularly nasty storm. Not so at Kingswood. Maintenance-provided living means that sidewalks are always shoveled and salted, the pantry is always stocked, and power outages are a thing of the past. We have contingency plans in place in the event of weather events so we can keep our residents safe.
You can start new traditions with new friends. As we get older, the cherished traditions that we always looked forward to at the holidays can sometimes disappear. Even if you’re still doing the same traditions, it may simply not be the same due to the fact that things don’t ever stay the same. Moving into senior living at this time can mean a chance to jump-start a new way of celebrating moving forward. You’re free to make new traditions as well as make new friends to share the holidays with.
You can sit back and relax. While this doesn’t specifically deal with loneliness, it is true that living on your own can mean a lot of worries and “what ifs.” What if something happens and you’re not able to get help in an emergency? What happens if the roads are impassable and you don’t have any food in the house? And let’s not even get started on the logistical issues of keeping the house clean during numerous family visits.
By contrast, moving to senior living is a fresh start and allows you to say goodbye to a lot of worries that you may be feeling. You don’t have to worry about what happens if there’s an accident – help will always be moments away, 24/7. You don’t have to worry about your furnace going out, stocking the fridge or driving at night during a blizzard. And you don’t have to be alone at the holidays, even if COVID-19 means your family is celebrating in a much different way this year. Seniors will always find companionship, comfort and community when they move into senior living, and having that can be a priceless gift this holiday season.
Laurie says that moving to senior living now not only ensures a happy holiday, but it also may mean you or your loved one will get the prime pick of residences. “A lot of individuals choose to wait to look into senior living until the beginning of the year because the holidays can be busy. Coincidentally, the busy holiday season means more choice for you. Communities may be running end of the year specials and you may have a better opportunity to get the floor plan or location you’d like.”
If you or your loved one have started to feel “bah humbug” about the season, moving to a senior living community could be your chance to add a little extra happy to the holidays this year.
Welcome to Kansas City’s Senior Living Sweet Spot.
Inspired senior living at Kingswood means living the retirement lifestyle you want – and deserve. We take care of most routine chores and maintenance, so you can keep enjoying all the things you love about living in Kansas City. And you have more time to try new things and have new adventures.
All of the activities and amenities are here to do more than just keep you busy. They’re here to enhance your whole life. It’s an intentional, holistic approach that helps you live healthier and happier. And, of course, you have plenty of opportunities to relax and enjoy the simple pleasures in life, like spending time with friends and family.
Our Life Plan Community offers all levels of care right on campus, from Independent Living and Assisted Living to Memory Support, Short-Term Rehabilitation and Long-Term Care.
Because Kingswood is a Life Plan Community, you can enjoy your independent lifestyle now and be assured all levels of care are available on site when you need it, at a discounted rate for life. This is an outstanding senior living value because you are assured access to care in the comfort of familiar surroundings. When combined with our maintenance-provided lifestyle, a Life Plan Community represents an affordable option providing value beyond your current home and other senior living community offerings … and peace of mind for a lifetime.
Contact us today to schedule your personal visit. (816) 673-2835
