Why Resident Quality of Life Matters so much to FGA

Socialization is the antidote for isolation.

And isolation is a global health threat, known to increase morbidity and mortality.. Isolation and loneliness rival the risks of smoking, obesity, and physical inactivity as leading causes of premature death.

According to the CDC, social isolation:

• Increases the risk of dementia by 50%.
• Increases the risk of heart disease by 29%.
• Increases the risk of stroke by 32%.
• Increases the risk of depression, anxiety, and suicide.

Seniors are at even greater risk due to a variety of factors such as living alone, the loss of family or friends, chronic illness, economic hardship, and hearing loss. Language barriers can also exacerbate isolation and loneliness.

Fostering High-Quality Social Relationships

People are social beings by nature, and high-quality social relationships can help them live longer, healthier lives. An active resident council can go a long way toward fostering high-quality social relationships.

FGA fosters social relationships by:

• Frequently organizing a variety of social gatherings, activities, and events.
• Finding a variety of common denominators that appeal to different interests.
• Enabling residents to foster their own common interest groups.
• Facilitating common interest group communications with newsletters and bulletin boards.
• Actively encouraging residents to participate in group activities.

One friend can make all the difference.
It can be difficult for anyone, especially seniors, to make friends when taking up residence in a building where others do not speak their native language. Although we do have large events during the holidays and in the summer, at FGA we emphasize facilitating small gatherings more frequently revolving around topics and activities our residents have interest in.

In sessions designed to draw them out, we identify what they care about and help transform their interests into small group activities. This is a cost-effective and highly effective way to create loving, caring communities at our FGA properties.

Below are some of the group activities and hobbies our residents participate in to break the ice: