Halloween. Preparation and celebration of this holiday grows more popular every year. It used to be we would see Christmas decorations out the day after Halloween, but recently I have noticed Halloween yard art going up in late August. It is earlier every year. I think we can still count on the Christmas décor going up earlier every year as well…all nudging us a reminder that there are only so many shopping days until Christmas!
As I write this, it occurs to me that I find joy in every season of change. I admit, I am one of the many who start the interior decorations for fall right after school starts. Out comes the glass pumpkins and gourds, the kitchen witch and fall colors. I hold off on buying candy until a little later in October, just so it is fresh for the trick or treaters (and to spare my husband the temptation of chocolate ahead of time).
I am sure most senior living communities, like Ridgecrest dress the halls and common areas with décor to celebrate the season. It is perfect for those who don’t care to drag out all their own seasonal beauties to toast the holiday, yet still get to embrace the seasonal change with suitable décor put up by others. As I get older, I find myself choosing a few select pieces to display each season, opposed to dragging big tubs out from storage.
Not only does living in a senior community mean that the heavy lifting of seasonal décor is handled by someone else, but it also provides a wonderful platform for intergenerational engagement. Seeing older adults with young souls brings joy to my heart and is a favorite amongst the residents. Every year at Ridgecrest, our residents line the Arcade Hallway and hand out treats to the children of our employees. It’s loud. It’s fun. It’s wonderful. It’s also a safe way to provide trick or treating for the employees’ children and a safe way for our residents to share in the fun.
It is a well-established fact that engagement and socialization play a vital role in our cognitive health and overall well-being as we age. The cold winter months can be brutal and lead to disengagement. Inclement weather can cause an otherwise active individual to become isolated and even go for days without speaking to another person.
There are so many reasons to consider making a change to senior living. There is no better time to check it out, especially with all the festivities ahead now and throughout the holiday season. There are many options to consider in the QCA for senior living, a little something for everyone to ensure you make a choice that is exactly right for you.
At Ridgecrest we are hosting a pop-up open house featuring two of our Eastridge Apartments, one bedroom and two bedrooms. Feel free to stop and see us on Wednesday October 30th from 1-3 PM to take a tour. Just follow the signs to the Main Entrance and we will take it from there.
Julie Arndt is a licensed social worker and Director of Marketing at Ridgecrest Village with over 30 years’ experience working in the field of geriatrics and senior advocacy. She can be reached at jarndt@ridgecrestvillage.org.
