Assisted Living Facilities

How to Start a Book Club in Senior Housing

Setting up a book club in your senior housing is a great way for the residents to spend time with friends and meet new ones. A reading club is not only a great way to socialize but an opportunity to strengthen brain connection, enhance memory, reduce stress, and age-related prevent cognitive issues.

As the world today is rapidly shifting towards digitalization, reading can instantly bring you to a different world. Reading allows one to temporarily disconnect while getting lost in the characters of the story.

If your senior community does not have a book club yet, then it is high time to launch for the benefit of everyone.

The Benefits of Book Clubs in Senior Housing

Whether you like classic novels or John Grisham, reading provides ample benefits. Reading gives you instant access to what it is like to live in the past, entertains you, or learns about specific subjects.

Regardless of your age and genre of interest, reading is valuable because:

It strengthens the brain

Reading strengthens the brain because it involves understanding to process the words you read. In addition, it stimulates creativity when you create images in your mind. Your analytical ability is also practiced when reading.

Lowers stress

Reading encourages relaxation for the brain is fully engaged in a single task. A 2009 study found that reading lowers the heart rate and eases tensed muscles, qualities that reduce stress levels.

Foster relationship

Book clubs are great ways to reconnect and meet new people who share the same interest. Book clubs in senior housing help fight loneliness and isolation by providing residents a venue to discuss interesting stories or books.

Encourage cultural awareness

Book clubs with diverse reading materials that represent a variety of cultures help us understand and change our perspective toward the differences.

Improve communication skills

Book clubs encourage senior residents to listen and participate in discussions to improve and maintain communications without resorting to personal disagreement.

Book clubs also help senior housing residents to come out of their comfort zone and overcome the fear of expressing opinions, public speaking, and being honest.

How to Get Started

First, you should determine the type of book club you want to launch. Would you like a themed book club like travel, biography, food, or history? Knowing this would help you work out the list of who you would like to invite to be your book club members.

Second, decide the location of your weekly or monthly meet-up. Your senior housing facility may have a library to hold your meetings.

Third, determine how frequently and when you would like to meet. Is it during the daytime or evenings?

Fourth, come up with the book club rules like coming in on time, sharing your thoughts, taking turns in sharing, and such.

Fifth, come up with titles for your reading list. You can commission the help of a local bookstore to locate the books and at the same time ask for recommendations on good reads.

Then start spreading the word among senior housing residents so they can block their schedules for the first meeting. You might want to make DIY flyers to make them more creative and attract potential members.

 

On the hunt for an excellent senior housing facility in Ashland, NE? Click here to check out Richmont Senior Living!


Richmont Senior Living is proud to serve Ashland, NE and the surrounding cities: Memphis, Springfield, South Bend, Greenwood, Murdock, Waverly, Murdock, Ithaca, and Chalco

Memory Assisted Living

Summer Safety Tips for Seniors in Memory Assisted Living | Ashland NE

Summer is the time of the year that most of us look forward to including residents in memory assisted living Ashland NE. It is a wonderful time to spend time with family and friends outdoor like swimming, gardening, picnic, and more.

However, warmer weather and the sun can be dangerous for seniors. Summer can bring challenges to our loved ones like dehydration, weakness, heat stroke, and exhaustion, thus, it is essential to be aware of dangers related to summer to make the most of the season.

Risks of Summer Heat for Residents in Memory Assisted Living | Ashland NE

Before you spend outdoors with your family or friends for sunshine and enjoy the longer days, remember that seniors are among the most vulnerable when exposed to too much heat.

Here are some of the heat-related issues that you should be aware of.

Heat Exhaustion

Heat exhaustion may be experienced after several exposures to severe heat when the body starts to lose fluid and keep itself cool. It may not be life-threatening when addressed timely or else it can lead to heat stroke. Seniors may feel dizzy, nauseated, and thirsty accompanied by excessive sweating, rapid pulse, or muscle cramps.

Seniors who experience heat stroke must get plenty of fluids and rest in a cool place. But if symptoms persist, it is recommended to get immediate medical care.

Dehydration

Seniors in memory assisted living Ashland NE are more prone to dehydration because they cannot hold as much water as they could. Plus, their sense of thirst becomes less accurate as they age leading them not to drink enough water to keep hydrated. Senior residents should consume the recommended 8 glasses of water daily.

Heat Cramps

Physical activities during hot weather can cause heat cramps where painful muscle tightening is felt in the arms, legs, and stomach. Seniors should stay under the shade during heat cramps and drink plenty of fluids.

Heat Edema

This is a summer-related condition that happens when seniors sit or stand in a hot environment. When swelling is noticed, put the legs up or call the doctor for immediate care.

Summer Safety Tips

Adults in memory assisted living Ashland NE, particularly those with chronic health conditions are more likely to develop summer or heat-related illnesses. This could be caused by age-related physical changes in the body, chronic illness, and reactions due to medication.

But regardless of the reason, it is important to be proactive when it comes to summer safety to avoid complications.

  1. If possible, have your outdoor activities when the sun starts to set. Avoid going out during the peak hours- usually from 10 in the morning until 4 in the afternoon.
  2. Spend as much time in colder places or in your room. Make sure to switch on the air conditioner or stay in air-conditioned rooms in your assisted living facility.
  3. Drink plenty of cool water, juices, alcohol, or caffeine-free fluids. You may add fresh fruits and vegetables to your diet.
  4. Wear light-colored and appropriate dresses to feel more comfortable and cool and be protected from sunburn.
  5. Wear broad-spectrum sunscreen lotion, cream, or spray with at least 30 SPF to protect the skin from sunburn.
  6. Take the time to take a cool shower or bath to cool down if you are feeling warm. Or you can do sponge baths.

 

Looking for excellent senior care in Ashland, NE? Click here to check out Richmont Senior Living!


Richmont Senior Living is proud to serve Ashland, NE and the surrounding cities: Memphis, Springfield, South Bend, Greenwood, Murdock, Waverly, Murdock, Ithaca, and Chalco