Care has always played an important role in senior living. However, recent trends in holistic health care have senior living communities reconsidering their “care-first” mindset, and making the shift toward emphasizing a wellness lifestyle with options for care available.
For some providers (like Highgate Senior Living) a holistic approach to health has always played a key role in the approach to care. “We’re really excited to see the industry making this shift,” says Marcie Suppe, Director of Resident Services at Highgate Senior Living. “With our person-centered positive approach to care and unique holistic approach, we know that wellness programs are key.”
Are health and wellness the same thing?
Care in a senior living community promotes a healthy lifestyle by ensuring medications are taken regularly, and hygiene needs are met. However, achieving optimal wellness encompasses much more than care.
Although the two terms are often used synonymously, health and wellness each respectively have their own definition. According to the National Library of Wellness, health is a state of being, whereas wellness is the state of living a healthy lifestyle.
Wellness is considered a lifestyle journey to balance every facet of life — physical, spiritual, emotional, intellectual, environmental, and occupational well-being. For example, you can be healthy, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that being healthy will make you happy.
“Highgate’s positive approach to care takes all aspects of wellness into consideration. For example, if a memory care resident is hesitant to take a bath, we use aromatherapy and create more of a spa-like atmosphere to create a pleasant and enjoyable experience. We have spa robes, heated towel bars, and really have thought about the whole experience, not just the task at hand of helping a resident bathe,” says Suppe.
Highgate’s approach to couples’ care has also taken wellness into consideration.
“It’s a big enough change for couples when they transition from living in a house, condo or apartment on their own to living in a senior living community. We have always made it a point to identify for each individual couple, regardless of how different their needs may be for care, to find a way for them to live together in the same apartment here if that’s what they wish to do,” says Suppe.
2022 Health Trends on the Rise
So what does the future of holistic health care and senior living wellness programs look like? Here’s a closer look at the top five holistic health trends in 2022 that are shaping the future of senior living.
1. Virtual Fitness
Virtual training platforms, like Senior Planet from AARP, have increased in popularity and many offer a wide variety of classes. With more seniors becoming increasingly tech-savvy, coupled with the ability to workout from the comfort of their own homes, virtual fitness classes are sure to continue to increase in popularity.
2. Lifelong Learning
The benefits of continuing education are just as much emotional as they are psychological. Learning something new can stimulate the growth of new brain cells and slow cognitive decline. Some senior living communities have begun regularly bringing in guest lecturers and while others have partnered with local colleges to offer courses to residents.
3. Gut-Health
Western science is finally catching up with what Chinese medicine and Indian Ayurveda has known for centuries: what happens in the gut affects the whole body.
Known as the “gut-brain axis”, the communication system between the gastrointestinal tract and the nervous system affects much of the body’s overall health status. Consuming probiotic-rich foods (like kombucha or yogurt) ensures healthy bacteria can survive and thrive to help with issues from digestive distress to mood management and beyond.
4. Tracking Stress with Apps
Mindful stress reduction isn’t a new concept, but apps to track and promote stress reduction have increased significantly in popularity since the pandemic.
Apps can track stress levels and help to manage stress with mindfulness techniques like meditation and breathwork.
5. Online Therapy
With digital healthcare services at an all-time high, how people access mental health is changing. Caring for the mind is a major part of a holistic approach to health.
With apps like TalkSpace, BetterHelp, and 7 Cups, which have therapist directories and affordable treatment options, it’s easier than ever to address mental health.
Learn how a holistic approach to health and wellness can create balance by reading our most recent eBook, Living Your Best Life.
