TESTIMONIAL: TRADITIONS OF SPRING HILL

Group photo of resident and two family members

When it comes to healthy aging, quite honestly, there’s a lot to do. You’re supposed to make sure to keep your body active and your brain engaged all while maintaining your social connections as well. Sure, the benefits to your overall well-being are worth the effort, but retirement is supposed to be a time with less responsibility on your plate, right? Well, it turns out that in senior living you can have your cake and eat it too, so to speak. Here’s how programs like our Vivid Life make keeping active, engaged, and connected easy and fun! 

Benefits of Healthy Aging 

Good things happen when you focus on healthy aging. In addition to feeling better overall, which in and of itself is a win, other benefits of keeping active, engaged, and connected include:  

  • Improved ability to do everyday things ​ 
  • Reduced impact of illness and chronic disease​ 
  • Enhanced mobility, flexibility, and balance
  • Improved sleep
  • Increased energy level
  • Reduced feelings of depression and stress
  • Increased feelings of happiness and self-confidence
  • Reduced risk of cognitive decline 
  • Increased mental adaptability and cognitive reserve 
  • Improved memory recall and problem-solving skills 
  • Improved concentration and attention to detail  

How Senior Living Can Help 

At home, particularly when living alone, it can be hard to stay as active, engaged, and connected as you’d like. From lack of opportunity to lack of motivation to lack of transportation to mobility challenges, and more, it’s tough, we get it! That’s why we created the Vivid Life program in our senior living communities. It’s composed of three parts: Vibrant Body, Vibrant Brain, and Vibrant Connections. Here’s what each entails:  

Vibrant Body We offer amenities such as a state-of-the-art fitness center, a pool, walking trails, gardening opportunities, and even a dog park to help you stay active. A sample of activities includes:  

  • Walking club – Daily walks at different outdoor locations using pedometers to measure steps. 
  • Yoga – At least once per week for gentle yoga, and once per week for mindful breathing. 
  • Fitness classes – At least two times per week using a variety of hand weights, resistance bands, and circuit-type exercises. 
  • Tai Chi – At least once per week with a live instructor. 
  • Non-traditional exercise – Dancing, gardening, etc. at least two times per week. 
  • Physical games and sports – Golf, putting, bowling, croquet, bocce, and ping pong available daily with organized events one to two times per week. 

Vibrant Brain We offer monthly calendars filled with classes, events, creative arts, and enrichment opportunities to help keep you engaged. A sample of activities includes: 

  • Visiting lecture series – Twice per month with topics such as cultural, historical, local interest, career-oriented, etc. 
  • Creative art series – At least one per week with a theme that runs 3-6 weeks, such as poetry writing, storytelling, painting, digital photography, etc. 
  • Learning series – At least three times per month with an emphasis on learning something new such as foreign language, sign language, technology, hobbies, etc. 
  • Games – At least one time per week and may include poker, bridge, Scrabble, etc. 
  • Mindfulness – A meditation class once per week and gratitude discussion group twice monthly. 
  • Church service – At least once a week through visits by local churches. 
  • Stress reduction – At least once per month class that offers deep breathing exercises, nature walks, music appreciation, spa-type treatments, etc. 

 Vibrant Connections We offer resident-led clubs, social events, outings and volunteer opportunities for any interest to help you stay connected. A sample of activities includes: 

  • Outings – At least twice per month and may include going to concerts, art shows, museum visits, theatre productions, etc. 
  • Intergenerational programming – At least once per month and focuses on building relationships between young adults/children and residents. 
  • New resident welcome party – At least once per month to formally introduce all new residents, and includes ice breakers, social games, etc. to encourage connection. 
  • Philanthropic program – At least once per month provide residents the opportunity to give back to the community, such as volunteering for a local food bank or pet shelter. 
  • Resident-led clubs – May include game clubs, professional clubs, common interests, etc. that meet at least monthly.  

What’s more, it’s all right outside your door (or transportation is provided offsite) and all in a supportive environment with home maintenance, housekeeping, and restaurant-style dining freeing your time to make it even easier to stay active, engaged, and connected. 

Learn more about Vitality Living’s Vivid Life programs. Or find a Vitality Living community near you today to schedule a tour. 

blog-family-decision-guide

 

My father and I had a lovely Sunday morning visiting on his front porch. He lives at Traditions of Spring Hill for almost two years now. He talked about the Michigan game (Go Blue.) I showed him video clips of his grandson, my nephew, completing four touchdowns during his high school game Friday night. He listened to my daughter sing the National Anthem at her high school football game. We took a short walk. He was eager to get to lunch. He doesn’t like to miss a meal. He was also researching words for the week’s mental challenge. The engagement director, Sandy, knows my dad is smart and has tasked him with this, which he enjoys.

When I first approached my dad about moving to assisted living, he told me I was ruining his life.

Truthfully, my dad can be difficult. When he finally agreed to move, the journey was a challenge – in every way. The first months were an adjustment and true to his nature, he found reasons to complain. Almost two years later he is a changed man. He is content, pleasant, happy, complementary and positive. Recently a team member said, “Your dad is the nicest resident. He’s so sweet and funny.” It truly warmed my heart.

The team at Traditions got to know my dad. Sandy engaging him to research words is a perfect example. He’s not a social person by nature. He didn’t want to join in at first, and still isn’t a group person. With encouragement and caring, he will now partake in exercise class and the mind-games, and loves to go on every scheduled outing.

My husband and daughter visited him on Fair Day last month and I was texted a photo of he and Ava. He’s drinking a beer and she’s petting a goat. He later told me he loves the “wildlife” they bring to the community. He grew up on a farm and so appreciates these times to be outside, to be with animals, to be with family, to drink a beer. And yes, this is assisted living. Even today the perception of “old age home” persists. Trust me, this isn’t your grandmother’s nursing home.

My husband and I took him out on Labor Day. As we were driving down a beautiful country road my dad looked out the window and said, “It’s glorious here. I just love it. I’m so glad I live in Tennessee.”

Moving to Traditions of Spring Hill was the best decision for him, hands down. It’s changed his life. I’ve been told that it’s a testament that my father lives in one of our communities. Honestly, when it comes to my dad, I’m just the daughter. I’m glad I chose the best. I’m glad he lives at Traditions.

One of his friends says it best,

“My friend lives there and he has said he’s never been happier. Wonderful staff. He has made friends and is participating in activities he never did before. Best thing ever happened to him. His family is over the top. Thanks to everyone who has made his life so rich.”

Julie Podewitz, CSO
Vitality Living,
Traditions of Spring Hill

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