Proudly Living in Senior Living: Celebrating Every Chapter of Life

Every age and stage of life deserves to be celebrated! Residents in senior living communities move in with rich histories, perfected hobbies, successful careers, beautiful families and friends, strong beliefs and goals for their future. Regardless of the level of care, senior living is about just that-living! It is a place that embraces residents for who they are, where they’ve been and how they want to continue to live.

Pride in their backstory

At Ecumenical Retirement Community in Harrisburg, Pa., we have many residents who are more than 100 years young. In these beautiful, long lives comes a lot of lived experiences. Some of our residents were leaders of large companies, others travelled the world. Meanwhile, others raised families or served our country. The residents are proud of the lives they’ve lived, and rightly so! In our senior living community, we learn about a resident’s background through the Life Story that is shared when they move in. This background educates our co-workers and caregivers on the likes, dislikes, interests and passions so we can learn about the residents, connect them with activities they might enjoy and introduce them neighbors with similar interests.

Pride in quality care

After all the life experience and taking care of family, career, etc., moving into a senior living community opens up the chance to be cared for. With the support of highly trained caregivers and nurses, the health and happiness of the resident get to take a front seat. When medications are dispensed at the correct time and dosage by medication technicians or personal care aids are helping residents mobilize safely, the resident and their family can be assured they or their loved in is really living their best life.

Pride in independence

One of the main reasons people start researching senior living communities is because they feel their loved one is no longer safe on their own. For a variety of reasons-maybe the house has become too much to upkeep, or there has been a change in health needs-people might need more support but do not want to lose their independence.

“The reality is, residents become even more independent when they move into our community,” shared Treva Nell, advisor at Ecumenical Retirement Community. “We have seen residents thrive beyond their families’ expectations when residents are able to focus on themselves and their healing.”

One of the more obvious ways that older adults feel like they are losing independence is when they are no longer driving. When living in our community, transportation is available to appointments, stores and restaurants that allow residents to get where they want and need to go safely.

Pride in purpose

Residents have a wide range of interests and hobbies, all of which are celebrated and shared in a senior living community. Ecumenical’s Dynamic Living team takes our residents gifts and talents into account and encourages them to lead activities. For example, a resident in our Personal Care neighborhood is a professional artist and leads painting classes. Other residents are very active and attend daily fitness classes together as the VIBE Tribe. A book club was also started as a way to bring residents and even co-workers together. If there is an activity, club or group that doesn’t exist, our co-workers work to bring the resident’s vision to life.

Pride though change

When health circumstances change or even mobility issues arise, older adults have to make tough decisions and face realities they, or their families, may not have anticipated. Senior living communities don’t magically take health challenges away, but they help equip the resident with the support to navigate a diagnosis or set back. In helping establish new routines or having the appropriate therapies and specialists on campus, co-workers are there for residents every step of the way. While change can be scary, residents can remain proud knowing they are valued and seen as they are recognized as people, not a diagnosis or condition.

Pride in belonging at Ecumenical Retirement Community

In our community, pride is seen in the warm welcome from residents enjoying the outdoor patio greeting neighbors and visitors as they come and go. It is the resident and co-worker playing pool together. And it is the dining associate remembering your favorite flavor of ice cream. It is in these small moments and the daily happenings on our campus that our residents can be proud to call Ecumenical Retirement Community home and their families feel proud that their loved one is respected and encouraged to thrive.

Live proudly in Harrisburg, Pa.

To see how you can continue to live proudly, safely and surrounded by a community that is ready to welcome you with open arms, contact a local advisor to schedule your personalized tour today. We look forward to learning more about you!