Religion is important when deciding which retirement community is best for you
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For many seniors, finding a retirement community that offers a connection to their religious faith is one of the most important goals. A chance to gather with others with similar views and also take root in a supportive spiritual community can offer many health benefits — both physical and emotional. For those who haven’t considered a faith-based community for retirement, you may consider adding this element to your search.
Religion Continues to be a major part of deciding which retirement community is the best fit
Studies show that the more connected seniors are to their religious community, the more support they feel in their transition to a retirement community. The ability to stay connected to your longstanding faith-based home, while also making new friends through a retirement community, can mean that your support network doesn’t shrink but, rather, expands as you enter retirement.
Many retirement communities cater to a variety of denominations and offer services such as on-site chapels, Bible studies, nondenominational services, prayer meetings, Catholic Mass, discussion groups and more. The ability to access faith-based services within the retirement community can become an important amenity if mobility issues limit travel to outside places of worship.
Health benefits of religion and spirituality for seniors
Those with healthy spiritual lives not only have an outlet for managing difficult times but also tend to have a more optimistic outlook and more opportunities for connection. They also report higher levels of emotional and psychological well-being. A strong faith has been proven to bring comfort and resilience, especially in times of illness or life changes. Studies also show that regular worship and other spiritual practices appear to lengthen life expectancy, strengthen immunity, improve the body’s response to stress and boost other measures of physical health.
When entering a retirement community, a connection to other residents from similar faith backgrounds provides an instant shared interest, which can help new residents become integrated more quickly into the daily life of the community. The more at home you feel, the more likely you are to remain active and engage with all the wellness offerings your retirement community has to offer, in addition to the faith-based services, The Lodge will be a brand-new, innovative, faith-based retirement community. It is part of Magnolia Manor Senior Living, a not-for-profit corporation in Georgia with a legacy spanning decades. While deeply rooted in the United Methodist Church, Magnolia Manor extends a warm welcome to seniors of all faiths and from all walks of life. As The Lodge prepares for the new continuing care retirement community in Columbus, Georgia, a variety of Bible study groups have already begun meeting regularly.
If you are interested in joining this group of active, friendly adults, please get in touch with us today. Call us at 706-641-0982 to learn more about the Bible study, book clubs and various social and educational groups hosted by The Lodge or to learn more about this new senior living community.
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