National Assisted Living Week: The Benefits of Aging in Community vs. Alone at Home According to Belmont Village Senior Living

According to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM), nearly a quarter of adults 65 and older feel lonely and are considered “socially isolated.” Living in a Senior Living community can be immensely beneficial for older adults, a population which research has shown to be particularly impacted by social isolation and loneliness. Both of those factors significantly increase a senior’s risk of cognitive decline, high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, a weakened immune system, anxiety, depression, and Alzheimer’s disease. Belmont Village Senior Living offers a wide variety of care options, including assisted living, independent living & award-winning, research-based memory care programs. During National Assisted Living Week, Belmont Village highlights the benefits of aging within a community that offers seniors a variety of care options as their needs change – an asset especially beneficial amid a pandemic.

“The key to aging well is being prepared to meet the diverse needs that accompany aging. As we age, what we require to maintain a healthy and fulfilling lifestyle begins to change gradually or, in some instances, instantly due to a medical diagnosis, chronic illness or injury,” says Patricia Will, CEO of Belmont Village Senior Living. “The right living option should be tailored to a senior’s current care needs and should accommodate their lifestyle, with flexible care and program options to help them continue to live as safely, independently, and comfortably as their needs evolve.”

Belmont Village Senior Living communities provide seniors the opportunity to have a high-quality of life while receiving personalized care from highly trained staff and, when needed, prompt access to medical or emergency care. Every Belmont Village community has nurses on-site 24/7 to provide residents with the support they need, including wellness checks and medication management. Their communities have hospitality and amenities in an infrastructure that’s conducive to their care needs while offering a balance of socialization, beneficial activities, and long-term care support.

Belmont Village Senior Living helps holistically enhance one’s life as they age through the following unique benefits:

1. Telemedicine: Keeping residents in their communities and out of emergency rooms (when possible), Belmont Village Senior Living’s Urgent Care Telemedicine program offers an innovative alternative to offsite hospital and doctor visits that is specifically designed for seniors. With the push of a button, residents have instant access to doctors through cutting-edge telemedicine carts operated by Belmont Village nurses. The telemedicine carts conduct video calls between the resident, their family members, and physicians from world-class institutions like Harvard, UCLA, and Vanderbilt. Seniors can receive consultations, diagnoses and testing via carts and technicians equipped with Digital Electric Cardiograms, digital stethoscopes, EKGs, and more without having to leave the comfort of their apartments.
2. Cognitive & Fitness Programs: In particular, Belmont Village Senior Living offers unique daily Whole Brain Fitness programs that engage residents and provide socialization for all activity and cognitive levels. Such programs include Mind, Body, Awareness (MBA®), a program tailored towards the more independent residents who want to stay active and maintain mental acuity, and Circle of Friends®, a dedicated, first-in class, proprietary, seven-day-a-week program for assisted living residents with mild to moderate memory impairment. Equally important and comprehensive, Belmont Village also provides care plans and specialized accommodations for residents with late-stage memory loss. Another key part of Belmont’s approach to Whole Brain Fitness includes daily physical fitness. Belmont Village communities have on-site fitness centers with a wide variety of physical exercise programs available. Weekly routines may include training geared towards cardiovascular health and/or strength. Many of the activities that are known to be the most beneficial work the mind and body together. Dancing and yoga are proven to reduce stress and help develop new neural connections.
3. Nutritional Dining: Full-service dining for residents with varying preferences and dietary restrictions including farm to table offerings, homegrown herbs, and 24+ daily, chef-prepared menu options. Combined with social interaction, physical and mental activities, Belmont Village’s menus are geared towards a heart-healthy diet, which is also a diet that is healthy for the mind. Belmont Village Senior Living’s culinary programs work in conjunction with university partners, such as the University of Houston’s Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management, to develop their senior dining and nutrition plans. Sharing at mealtime is a great way to build connections with others at the community. Interactions beyond a senior’s usual circle of family and friends can greatly benefit their mental acuity and cognition through engagement.

“At Belmont Village, our incredible seniors are busting the myth that you lose your independence upon entering an assisted living community. On the contrary, by understanding and celebrating the aging process, Belmont Village communities across the country allow seniors to fully enjoy the gift of aging and maintain their independence. With quality programs, resources, and experienced support, we give seniors the freedom and flexibility to thrive,” adds Will.

About Belmont Village Senior Living

Founded in Houston in 1997, Belmont Village is an integrated developer, owner, and operator of high-quality seniors housing with more than 4000 employees. Its communities are renowned for distinctive design, high standards of life safety, reputation for quality of care and leading edge, award-winning programs. Belmont Village is certified as a Great Place to Work® and has been ranked as one of FORTUNE Magazine’s 50 Best Workplaces for Aging Services since 2018. Learn more about Belmont Village at www.belmontvillage.com and on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210914006097/en/