Nancy Weinbeck: 5 lessons from the for-profit senior living world
We have a board/party game in my house called “Imaginiff” where each player tries to guess how one of the players would respond to a particular scenario. A question that I often ponder in my role at Bayview but is definitely not included in the game is “Imagine if you moved to a senior living community when you grew older.” Just hold that question in your mind for a moment and observe your reaction and/or think about how others would react. Perhaps a frown? Furrowed brows? Maybe even a chortle – who me?
Just the phrase “senior living” can conjure up all sorts of misconceptions and this makes sense. The “old folks’ home” of days gone by is very different than today’s senior living communities and unfortunately the media has not been our friend in helping older adults recognize the evolving nature of our industry. Today’s senior living environments can and should be places of discovery and reinvention with opportunities for lifelong learning, social gatherings, fitness and wellness, and much more.
Imagine if one moved to an environment where the day begins with a swim in a warm water pool, followed by a stimulating lecture by a visiting professor, a gourmet meal prepared by a talented chef, an evening happy hour with friends — you get the idea. This is the reality of many senior living communities today. Add the bonus of health care support if/when needed and you have your bases covered for healthy and purposeful aging.
Imagine if as we age, we enter an environment of renewal, of personal growth, of discovery, of friendship and of acceptance for who we are and what we can share that encourages others to find their own sense of renewal and growth. Imagine if that’s what came to mind when someone mentions the term “senior living.” No more frowning.
A final note: senior living does not need to be a physical place, but it does need to be a mindset. And as readers of this column know, there is much research on the benefits of thinking positively about aging. So, whether senior living is a bricks and mortar community or a neighborhood or simply a way of being, consider embracing and savoring all it can bring.
Nancy Weinbeck is the CEO of Bayview senior living community in Queen Anne.