8 Dimensions of Wellness for Seniors: Best Ways to Boost Your Health and Happiness!
It can be easy to overlook the importance of health and wellness, especially when life gets busy. For most, living well is more than just eating an apple a day or getting a good night’s sleep—it’s a complex holistic journey that consists of nurturing the mind, body and spirit.
This journey is particularly important for older adults, as prioritizing all aspects of wellness can significantly improve health and overall quality of life. At Westerwood, our wellness programs for seniors make it easy to focus on health in engaging ways every day. Learn more about the eight dimensions of wellness and how our programs and amenities for seniors and caring staff can help you or your loved one live a happy, healthy and well-balanced life.
1. Physical wellness: Strengthen your body.
Physical wellness often includes maintaining a healthy body through regular exercise, proper nutrition and adequate rest. To support residents’ unique health goals and journeys, our team plans dozens of fitness classes tailored to a range of abilities and offers a selection of health services, therapies and on-site dining for all types of dietary needs.
We have a full-time fitness coordinator to provide personalized support, as well as health and wellness tips for seniors. Plus, our 23-acre campus is the perfect place to walk around, explore nature and get your daily steps in. With so many types of opportunities, residents can easily prioritize their physical wellness and enjoy amenities and activities, including our:
- Fitness center
- Putting green
- Bocce ball
- Ping pong
- Acupuncture
- Massage therapy
- Pilates and yoga
- Chair volleyball
- Tai Chi classes
“The fitness center has activities and different groups you can go to like Pilates, aerobics, all kinds of workouts, and there are individual machines too. The treadmill and the programmed machines are all fit for our abilities. I love coming down here anytime, day or night.” –Donna Greenman, Resident
2. Intellectual wellness: Sharpen your mind.
Stimulating the mind with new challenges is essential for cognitive health, but we also understand that everyone learns differently. From educational classes to specialized programs that spark discussions on global issues and other topics, we’ve created a fun campus where residents can continue to grow, learn and thrive through activities like:
- Courses on history, music and more
- Lectures
- Interest groups
- Computer club
“We’re connected to a Lifelong Learning program. Some residents attend in-person classes, but most of them are streamed through audio and video. There are also educational programs like Great Courses, which cover a wide range of subjects. It’s fantastic for keeping the mind sharp.” -Jim Wagner, Resident
3. Emotional wellness: Feel your best.
Experiencing change is a natural part of getting older. Whether it’s moving to a new place, losing a loved one, or something else entirely, you may experience difficult emotions that can be hard to process or navigate. Having the right support system or tools in place can help with healing or managing change. We know everyone is different, but it can be beneficial to find comfort by connecting with others, which is why you can:
- Join support groups
- Spend time with friends and family on site
- Get new resident support
“We came here to live. And that’s what we’re doing.” –Michael Greenman, Resident
4. Social wellness: Connect with others.
Building close relationships and staying social can go a long way in combatting the loneliness epidemic that many seniors face. According to the World Health Organization, social isolation and loneliness is widespread and affects 1 in 4 older adults. The effects of social isolation on mortality are even comparable to those of smoking and obesity.
Every day, we help residents find a sense of belonging by creating opportunities for them to connect and engage with others. Plus, we’re a pet-friendly community, so it’s easy to stay connected with your furry friends too. Residents have many opportunities to socialize and build relationships, through groups and activities, such as:
- Women’s club
- Men’s club
- Billiards
- Weekly TGIF happy hours
- Cards and games
- Music concerts
- Trips and outings
- Coffee with the Crew
- Welcoming committee
“I’m in my 70s, and I’ve never met a group of people who are so caring and kind. We all say the same thing—there are so many kind people here. A lot of people move here for that reason.” –Vicki Alsip, Resident
5. Spiritual wellness: Energize your soul.
Spiritual wellness is all about connecting to something greater than oneself and finding meaning or purpose. Whether it’s through religious practices, personal reflection or community support, spiritual wellness nurtures the soul and offers a sense of peace. For example, many residents at Westerwood boost their spiritual wellness through:
- Chaplain’s services
- Vesper’s services
- Counseling
- Memorial services
- Catholic mass and communion
- Bible study
- Chaplain’s advisory committee
6. Financial wellness: Plan your future.
Managing finances and planning for the future can be key to achieving long-term peace of mind and embracing a sense of security. We’re committed to helping seniors achieve their financial goals. In addition to offering affordable and flexible financial options for residents, we also bring in speakers who educate seniors on managing their finances before and during retirement.
To underscore our commitment to being transparent about our own community finances, we provide quarterly financial reviews and opportunities for residents to be part of our finance committee.
“This is the only retirement community in Columbus that has all levels of care—from independent living to full-time nursing. Once you’re a resident, you can access all of those. It was affordable, and it matches my budget. I’m glad to be here.” –Jim Wagner, Resident
7. Occupational wellness: Find your purpose.
Focusing on occupational wellness helps seniors find purpose through volunteering or pursuing art and other creative hobbies. Depending on what drives you, there are plenty of ways to make a difference. Many residents lead groups, assist their peers and develop new skills, which can boost self-esteem and create camaraderie through activities, such as:
- Resident clubs and committees
- Art studio
- Music groups
- Village Writers
“We have more activities and things to do than any other place in the state of Ohio.” –Andy Halatek, Resident
8. Environmental wellness: Protect your home.
Environmental wellness focuses on living in a safe, healthy and sustainable environment. Here, residents can enjoy fresh air and outdoor spaces, including beautiful, wooded areas and manicured courtyards that promote physical activity, relaxation and a connection with nature. Residents can also participate in other environment-centered activities, such as:
- Landscape committee
- Recycling committee
- Building and grounds committee
- Housekeeping and decorating committee
- Gardening with other residents
- Exploring Friendship Woods—a certified and protected natural refuge with walking trails, sitting areas and more than 200 species of birds
“The woods here are a corner of the property, with a gravel trail, benches and a gazebo. In the spring, the flowers are beautiful, and it’s a very peaceful spot.” –David Poland, Resident
Our eight dimensions of wellness are designed to help seniors live happier and healthier lives. By embracing a holistic approach, our goal is to empower residents to become the best versions of themselves. Are you ready to learn how we can support you or your loved one? Contact us at 614-890-8282 to explore wellness at Westerwood!
