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Tag: aging

The Continuing Contributions of Older Americans to Our Communities: AHEPA Senior Living’s Role in Empowering Seniors

Posted on by Andrew Kaffes

Introduction

May is Older Americans Month, when we celebrate older adults’ contributions to our communities. These individuals bring a wealth of experience, wisdom, and inspiration that enrich our lives and strengthen the fabric of society. In recognition of this, we want to highlight the role of AHEPA Senior Living (ASL) in empowering seniors to lead fulfilling, meaningful lives.

 

Contributions of Older Americans

Older Americans make remarkable contributions to our communities in various ways. From volunteering at local organizations to serving as mentors and role models, seniors actively participate in community development and enrichment. Their life experiences, unique perspectives, and diverse skill sets enable them to support and guide younger generations in personal growth and learning. For instance, many older adults volunteer to teach classes, share their expertise in various fields, or engage in community projects that improve neighborhoods, schools, and parks. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 26.3% of people 65-69 volunteer and 9.4% of people 65 and older volunteer 500 or more hours per year. Their efforts not only affect lasting positive change but also encourage others to get involved and contribute to their communities.

Intergenerational relationships play a crucial role in fostering mutual understanding, respect, and collaboration among people of different ages. When seniors interact with younger generations, they pass on their wisdom, historical insights, and life lessons – many of which aren’t found in textbooks. These exchanges enrich the lives of both seniors and younger individuals, promoting empathy, tolerance, and cultural appreciation.

 

AHEPA Senior Living’s Approach to Empowering Seniors

At ASL, we are committed to providing safe, healthy, and enriching residential communities and quality services that enable our older residents to thrive and enjoy peace of mind. Guided by the Greek spirit of Meraki, our values emphasize attentive relationships with residents and families, proactive and honest communication, and a commitment to service, excellence, and philanthropy in everything we do.

 

Community Engagement and Inclusivity

This year’s Older Americans Month theme is “Aging Unbound.” The theme offers an opportunity to explore diverse aging experiences and discuss how communities can combat stereotypes and how we all benefit when older adults remain engaged, independent, and included.

Community engagement and inclusivity are integral to our residents’ experiences at our properties. ASL communities provide ample opportunities for residents to connect and explore their interests, from cultural celebrations and holiday gatherings to recreational outings and educational workshops. Our seniors actively participate in various events and activities designed to foster camaraderie, learning, and fun. For example, seniors at one of our properties have formed a gardening club, working together to cultivate a beautiful community garden that benefits everyone. In contrast, another property hosts painting classes, where residents can express their creativity and learn new skills.

Our commitment to fostering social connections and inclusivity among residents is rooted in the understanding that solid relationships are vital for seniors’ well-being. Creating a warm and welcoming environment ensures that every resident feels valued, respected, and included. Research has shown that socially connected seniors experience better physical and mental health, improved cognitive function, and a higher quality of life.

 

Lifelong Learning and Personal Growth Opportunities

We believe in the importance of lifelong learning and personal growth for seniors, which is why we offer a variety of educational and skill-building programs across our communities. These opportunities range from music and dancing classes, puzzles and table games, baking classes, knitting classes, and many more opportunities. Our goal is to provide engaging and accessible learning experiences that cater to our residents’ diverse interests and abilities, allowing them to continue discovering new passions and expanding their horizons.

Many of these opportunities contribute to our residents’ growth and fulfillment by stimulating their minds, nurturing creativity, and fostering a sense of accomplishment. By participating in these programs, residents can develop new skills, deepen their understanding of the world, and connect with others who share their interests.

 

Conclusion

In conclusion, older Americans play a vital role in shaping and enriching our communities through their diverse contributions, wisdom, and experience. We are committed to empowering these remarkable individuals by providing safe, healthy, and enriching residential communities and quality services that enable them to thrive and enjoy peace of mind.

As we celebrate Older Americans Month, let us recognize and support the seniors in our lives during this month and throughout the year. We encourage you to learn more about AHEPA Senior Living and consider getting involved in your local community to positively impact older adults’ lives. Together, we can ensure that our seniors continue to lead fulfilling, meaningful lives and remain valued members of our communities for years to come. If you or your loved ones have any questions, please contact us!

AHEPA Senior Living Personifies Hellenic Ideals

Posted on by Andrew Kaffes

At AHEPA Senior Living, we strive to be pillars of our communities, inspired by the ethos of our Greek American founders of civic responsibility, humanitarianism, and philanthropy. Led by the desire to leave our communities better than we found them, we hope our team of professionals embodies these Hellenic ideals and that these ideals carry over to residents. This personification of ideals is what we saw this holiday season at several of our communities.

 

A Community Inspired to Give Back

In Daytona Beach, Florida, at our AHEPA 410 Senior Apartments community, residents recently asked the management team about donating toys to children through a Toys for Tots drive hosted by the Daytona Beach Fire Department. While the request seemed normal to Julie Carpenter, the AHEPA 410 Senior Apartments property manager, the participation caught her a bit by surprise.

“We collected 64 new unwrapped toys that we dropped off to the Daytona Beach Fire Department,” said Carpenter. “Many of our residents were eager to participate. For them, the thought of putting smiles on children’s faces was very gratifying. Several took pictures of the gifts under the tree to share with their loved ones.”

We also saw a similar toy drive carried out by residents at Penelope 54 Senior Apartments in Houston for a collection organized by the Houston Police Department.

However, the exciting part of the story is how these holiday toy drives that link generations seem to reflect a growing trend in the United States–a rise in multigenerational housing. These households cite several benefits of living together, including strengthened relationships among family members, more accessible family care, improved finances, and positive impacts on personal mental health. Perhaps the alignment of the “holiday spirit” or simply the desire to care for others ties these two concepts together.

 

The Steady Rise of Multigenerational Households

The COVID-19 pandemic and the opioid crisis are recent contributing factors for the rise in children in high poverty or rural areas living with their grandparents. A June 2022 report issued by a congressional committee responsible for appropriating funding for affordable elderly housing cited these factors. However, according to research from the Pew Research Center, there has been a steady rise in multigenerational housing since the 1970s, with a rate of 18% in 2021. All told, 23% of grandparents support grandchildren, according to a stat provided by the ranking member of the Senate Committee on Aging, Senator Tim Scott (R-SC), at a December 2022 hearing.

While there are currently no AHEPA Senior Living facilities that provide multigenerational housing, the trend is gaining attention. It has the interest of the Senate Committee on Aging. In 2019, the then-heads of the committee, Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Bob Casey (D-PA), proposed a bill to reauthorize the Older Americans Act to allow further funding to multigenerational families. Today, we are starting to see Congress appropriate funding to expand the supply of affordable intergenerational units—$25 million in the latest funding bill.

Regardless of whether we can be involved directly, our ethos aligns with those ideals being lived by intergenerational housing. At the core, we want to ensure that seniors and our communities are served and thriving. So, we want to thank again the residents in Daytona Beach and Houston who took it upon themselves to help make the holidays brighter for the underserved children in their communities.