Gold Medal Moments Happen Every Day in Our Harrisburg Senior Living Community

Every four years, the world unites in celebrating the determination, courage, strength and abilities of the athletes who dedicate their lives and train for years in the quest for perfection in their sport. Every day, these athletes show up when they are tired, hurt and on the brink of giving up, but something stops them from throwing in the towel. Maybe it’s the sense of accomplishment when they cross that finish line, complete a clean run, score the goal or celebrate as a team that their talents and skills are validated. Even when they fall short of the podium, these athletes come back for more in their pursuit of greatness.

The character traits of world-class athletes can be found in the halls of our Harrisburg senior living community. Although the definition of a “gold medal moment” looks different, residents are setting and accomplishing goals that could change the trajectory of their life, physically, mentally or emotionally. They are earning their “gold” through the daily and sometimes even small wins that make an impact at least in their lives. These winning moments are personal and often quiet. They won’t be broadcast on the biggest fields or stages, but just like the professionals, they are done with the same passion, courage, resilience, joy and a team (the senior living communities) rallying and encouraging them.

The Road to Gold in Our Harrisburg Senior Living Community

Every resident’s journey is unique and so are the accomplishments. There may be reasons a senior or a family member would be inquiring about senior living communities. There may have been a fall or medical event that now requires time for healing or more oversight with professional support. The senior may be experiencing loneliness after the passing of a spouse, or health and safety may become a concern if the family home is requiring too much upkeep. Whatever the reason, lessons we learn from the Olympic athletes can be translated into Olympic-size wins for our seniors.

Victories Redefined

Meaningful victories in senior living communities do not require a stopwatch, instant replay or stadium full of spectators to call it a win. Winning moments of connection, independence, happiness and strength happen every day. The examples below are based on real life experiences from current and former Ecumenical Retirement Community residents.

The gold medal for “Connection” goes to:

• Residents who moved without knowing anyone and became instant friends with someone with a shared interest.
• The resident who saw a new neighbor sitting alone at an activity and went over to say hello and introduce herself.
• Someone who has jumped at every opportunity to get involved in activities, community outings or volunteer events.
• The resident who was interested in organizing an activity and worked with campus leadership to create an event for the calendar.

The gold medal for “Independence” goes to:

• The resident who moved in using a walker, but after being consistent with therapy sessions is seeing improvement and will soon only need a cane for stability.
• Residents who, before moving in, spent their days surviving, not thriving. Now, they have a positive outlook on life and look forward to the day’s full activity calendar.
• The family member who was the primary caregiver but now can confidently turn the day-to-day logistics of a loved one’s care to the experienced and capable team of co-workers.

The gold medal for “Happiness” goes to:

• The residents who knew each other growing up, lost touch over the years and reconnected after moving into the same senior living community.
• The co-workers who made an effort to get to know a resident’s favorite sports team and check in with him before and after the big game!
• The group of residents who have gathered for a favorite activity and fill the common area with fun and laughter when together.

The gold medal for “Strength” goes to:

• The resident whose fitness and mobility were at baseline but after regularly attending fitness classes and therapies are wow-ing doctors with the things she can do.
• The residents who support their neighbor going through a tough time. Through frequent check-ins and conversations, their neighbor recognizes the real power living in a community.
• Someone who is open to trying something new and out of her comfort zone.

Celebrating Champions in Senior Living Communities

Every resident is a champion and deserves the respect and recognition for her accomplishments, no matter how big or small. It takes courage to move into a community, embrace the realities of aging and make every effort to capture whatever “gold” means to them. We’d love an opportunity to learn how we can celebrate you or your loved one as a shining gold star. Contact an advisor today to schedule a personalized tour and meet some of our own gold medalists!