Our life’s purpose doesn’t just disappear with age or retirement. It evolves over time. And at Thrive Senior Living, we know discovering what brings you joy is a lifelong pursuit. That’s why we’re committed to helping older adults in our care identify and pursue new sources of joy and meaning every day. That could be by taking a jewelry or painting class, leading a book club, enjoying a Zoom call with the grandchildren, or soaking up the sun at morning yoga. Ahead, we’ll explain why it’s so essential for seniors to stay engaged and inspired in their daily lives — and how Thrive makes that happen!
What are the benefits of a sense of purpose for seniors?
When older adults feel connected to their purpose, body, mind, and soul benefit. For seniors, positive impacts of finding purpose include:
1. Healthier behavior
Having a sense of purpose doesn’t just have a psychological and emotional impact—it can lead to better physical health outcomes! A study of middle-aged adults found that a strong sense of purpose in life can boost the brain’s ability to cope with stressors and injuries and help resist the development of disease.
2. Reduced dementia risk
Another study has associated a sense of purpose with a reduced risk of dementia as well as improved memory, reasoning skills, and cognitive resilience. Purposeful living has also been found to encourage overall well-being and health, helping older adults experience a reduced risk of cognitive issues.
3. Improved quality of life
One study also revealed that, for older adults, having a sense of purpose and meaning can lead to reduced impairment in activities of daily living. It can even help seniors with disabilities manage changes to their health and deal with early-onset stressors.
How can seniors find their life purpose and meaning?
Finding purpose and meaning later in life doesn’t require a major, life-changing epiphany. Sometimes, your purpose is hidden in plain sight! Seek it out by:
1. Continuing what’s already bringing you joy
Modern senior living communities are not like nursing homes—you always have a variety of choices for how you spend your day. If you know what makes you happy, you’ll have the resources and the support here to make it a part of your everyday life, whether it’s taking a walk in nature, happy hour with friends, or joining a knitting circle with fellow enthusiasts.
2. Understanding what really matters to you
Knowing what truly matters to you can help you prioritize and manage your time as a senior. At Thrive, our experienced team members will work with you to discover what you love doing so you can enjoy a more purpose-filled life.
3. Making joy a part of your everyday routine
For one senior resident, their source of joy and purpose might be meeting up with friends for a game of cards; for another, it might be their practice of daily walking or spending time in the garden. At Thrive, we encourage the pursuit of hobbies for seniors, whether that’s rediscovering a previous enjoyment or trying something new—and our top-notch amenities and services make it even easier to pursue what you love!
Meaningful Living at Thrive
At Thrive Senior Living, we want the same for each resident: to feel empowered to live their best life based on what matters to them. That’s why we make sure residents at Thrive have access to meaningful support and resources—so they can not only determine their life purpose but live it!
At Thrive communities, it’s just one of many ways we are helping older adults and their caregivers in any way we can. So, if you’re a caregiver looking for support, we invite you to download our free Caregivers Support Guide for practical tips on navigating common caregiver issues. And if you’re looking to learn more about Thrive, we hope you’ll call one of our senior living experts for a conversation, or schedule an in-person tour at one of our communities. We look forward to meeting you!