Seniors find Joy and Purpose through Community Involvement
When quality of life is the main focus of your assisted living community, the transformation for residents, particularly those transitioning from isolation, can be truly remarkable. Across the communities of New England-based Senior Living Residences (SLR), focus is put on the importance of both physical and emotional wellbeing, and the role that a sense of purpose can play in one’s quality of life. Residents are empowered to express themselves, rekindle hobbies, discover new passions and embrace these new chapters, filling them with meaning, engagement and connection.
Music Empowers this Resident to Lead with Confidence
At SLR’s Dorchester community, lifelong pianist Nancy Doran feels most at home at the piano, guiding an audience in song. When she came to the Standish Village Assisted Living team with the idea to perform, they jumped at the opportunity, preparing performance programs for the residents. Her first performance was a sight to see, as Nancy accompanied her peers and the room filled with beautiful voices singing in harmony.
Throughout her sing-alongs, Nancy rediscovered her love of performing. She lights up whenever she gets the chance to share her passion with others. As she sits at the piano and listens to the voices around her, the Standish Village team sees in her a renewed sense of belonging and confidence.
Nancy went on to play throughout the fall and winter, directing the crowd at a holiday sing-along and even taking her show on the road to perform love songs at sister community Cornerstone at Canton for Valentine’s Day.
“Nancy has shared with me how confident she feels when she is playing piano, and we knew we had to nurture that feeling in any way possible,” said Jenn Thoren, Standish Village’s Executive Director.
Residents and Students Engage in Creative Filmmaking
A video production project in Methuen, MA has sparked a love of creative storytelling for seniors and high school students alike. As part of an ongoing partnership between Methuen Village Assisted Living and the Methuen High School Media Class, students interviewed the seniors in a full production-like set. The residents shared their stories through a fascinating new medium, blending past and present as they reflected on their favorite high school memories and offered guidance for the students.
Joyce Campagnone, a Methuen Village resident, has been a Methuen City Councilor since 1992. She loved working with the students, sharing stories, and learning about their passion for video production. For Joyce, it was an incredible experience to be heard and valued by these high schoolers.
“It felt like the younger generation was truly interested in us,” Joyce expressed. “They listened to our life stories and experiences, and that acknowledgment brings the whole community together. We found that we have so much in common, and there’s so much we can learn from each other. I hope this continues every year—one hand helping the other, just as it should be.”
The Methuen Village community now looks forward to viewing the final videos at a special screening event later this spring.
Student-Senior Prom Sparks Meaningful Connections Across Generations
The whimsical “Botanical Garden”-themed student and senior prom in Hampton, NH brought students, residents, friends, and family together for an upbeat evening of music and dancing at Cornerstone at Hampton Assisted Living. This was the second annual student and senior prom that the community has hosted. The “Wisdom Warriors,” a team of 18 Cornerstone residents and 21 Winnacunnet High School students, planned every detail, from the paper flowers, balloon arch, and glowing lanterns, to a musical selection spanning decades and featuring classics such as “Twist and Shout” and “We are Family.”
George Tosatti, a resident who was part of the planning committee, truly enjoyed getting to know the students. “It’s really nice to have the youngsters around,” he said. “I liked to talk with the kids and brainstorm about what we wanted to do. The prom was so fun, and the food and drinks were great.”
“I loved making meaningful connections with the residents, and learning about their lives and how it impacts my future,” said Winnacunnet High School student Marley.
Amidst the whirlwind of fun and florals, the prom also served as a celebration of the Wisdom Warriors’ collaboration and bonds they had built over the past few weeks. As the residents and students created decorations, planned the delicious menu, and curated the perfect playlist, the residents told stories from their lives and recognized how much the younger generation appreciated the wisdom and creativity they shared. Seeing their friends, families, and the Winnacunnet High School community enjoy an event they helped bring to life filled the residents with pride and joy.
These three stories highlight just a few of the beautiful moments SLR communities have experienced in the past month, strengthening residents’ connections to their neighbors and bringing together the surrounding communities.
“Helping seniors connect with their greater community and really nurture what brings them joy is something we strive for each and every day,” shared Tadd Clelland, President & CEO of Senior Living Residences. “When residents have those nostalgic conversations with students or get that gratifying applause from an audience, it helps them realize that they do belong and that they’re part of something bigger, with so much experience and wisdom to offer. These seemingly small moments can make all the difference in someone’s quality of life.”