Meridian Senior Living communities are observing National Assisted Living Week® (NALW) on September 11-17, 2022. Each of its assisted living communities across the country will celebrate people who live and work in assisted living while spreading awareness of assisted living’s role in caring for seniors.
This year’s theme is “Joyful Moments” which “honors the assisted living staff, communities, residents, and families that come together as a large extended family to create joyful moments and special memories together.” After the pandemic struggles experienced over the past several years, this theme breaks away and highlights the enjoyment and happiness found in the moments in life. In planning for NALW, Meridian communities are asking residents what makes them smile and will celebrate them that week by delivering “joyful” events based on their input. Seven of Meridian’s communities will be participating in the Moments of Joy campaign bringing together community members to share in the moment of joy with a senior. These communities include The Reserve at East Longmeadow, Chapel Hill Senior Living, The Villas at St. James, The Wellington, Gentry Park Orlando, Hidden Springs of McKinney, and Cypress Place Senior Living. There are some stand-out planned activities based on residents' requests. Residents of The Reserve at East Longmeadow shared that they want to have a harvest party for Grandparents Day to kick off the week. The Wellington is throwing a casino night and a farm day with a cow milking contest. And The Villas at St. James is bringing in an ice cream truck, classic cars, and puppies to make their residents happy and joyful.
“We are excited to shine a light on the ‘joyful moments’ in life during National Assisted Living Week for 2022,” said Kevin Carlin, Principal and Chief Sales Officer. “Bringing moments of joy to life for our residents extends Meridian’s mission: ‘We enrich the lives of our residents, families and employees through extraordinary experiences … because Everyone Deserves A Great Life!’”
Meridian’s activity programs are developed to enrich residents’ lives physically, spiritually, and intellectually. Research conducted by The National Institute on Aging at NIH shows that older adults realize benefits from participating in productive and enjoyable leisure activities such as enhanced ability to perform daily tasks, manage illnesses such as diabetes, osteoporosis, and heart disease, maintain health and physical strength, improve balance, and enjoy better mood, engagement, and overall emotional well-being.
Understanding the importance of active lifestyles for seniors, Meridian communities offer residents a full array of fitness programs, wellness activities, and social events that enrich the body, mind, and soul. Residents enjoy activities such as sock hops, chair exercises, bocce ball, bowling, bicycling, walking clubs, Senior Sneakers with hand weights, shopping excursions, basketball, fishing, Zumba, and gardening. Wellness activities include tai chi, arts and crafts projects, mindfulness meditations with essential oils, and nutrition classes. Select communities offer Meridian’s RevInMo program designed to keep residents physically active and enhance neurological health with dramatic improvements in strength, speed, and flexibility.