Why it’s suddenly hip to be a senior!!
From happy hours, to temporary tattoos and cocktail mixing TikTok’s, the Senior Living Community is taking the world by storm and I am putting myself on the waiting list right now for Bear Creek Senior Living!
When I was growing up, my mom and her best friend would take me and my best friend to different nursing homes around northeast Louisiana while they sang gospel, Christmas songs, and provided entertainment to the residents. We were able to hear the wants and needs of those sometimes 80 years our senior and it didn’t seem that different to us…… They all wanted to be heard and to have fun!
It turns out, not only do we still enjoy socialization and fun as we age, but we crave it! Isolation and depression are prominent issues in older adults, and often, we don’t realize how alone we are. So how do Senior Living Communities help?
Senior Living Communities, such as Bear Creek, provide not only peace of mind for residents safety and health, but also a chance for creating new friends, learning new skills, and finding joy in later life. I have had the amazing experience of collaborating with Bear Creek on several occasions and have seen firsthand the way they take senior living experiences to a 5-star level. One of the biggest ways they provide gold star care is by providing one of the best recreation programs in the Springs. In charge of that program is Haley Ashley, Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS).
Haley is the Life Enrichment Director and is in charge of overseeing the joy, fun, and social quality of life our seniors have. With the integration of Haley, not only is the senior community at Bear Creek thriving but they have created a presence on TikTok where they are leading the Senior game! From showing best friends living their best life together to having folks show off their crazy skills such as bartending and attending , Haley has found a way to not only help seniors connect but most importantly, how to thrive in their new life roles without giving up their independence and sense of self.
I recently was able to speak with Haley to ask about her vision with our seniors and how she sees the impacts recreation therapy is making in their lives. Here is what she had to say:
A lot of people think “activities” are just fun and games. Being a CTRS, I’ve learned to recreate “typical” senior activities into more purposeful programs that benefit the resident as a whole and create purpose within their lives. When organizing a calendar of activities, I try to meet social, physical, intellectual, creative, spiritual and emotional/wellness needs of the residents. Instead of making crafts that end up in the trash, we try crocheting blankets for the community, wood-burning to make checker boards we can play on, making dog beds and toys to donate to a shelter in need, and so much more. Instead of serving our residents, we have our residents serve themselves – for example, they can join Mixology class where they learn and make the cocktails themselves.
The Garden Gurus tend to the community garden themselves. Residents in wheelchairs are riding adapted bikes for the first time in years. The senior population is often misperceived as “not being able to do this and that anymore.” My biggest goal is show that they can! Some things of course are trial and error but we find it fun to try new things together- plus, trying/learning new things is one of the best ways to keep your brain healthy and active.
When I first created the Bear Creek TikTok, I was just utilizing it as an easier way to edit videos of our activity programs and add music. After gaining a following through our viral temporary tattoo video I quickly realized this was yet another avenue to give our residents purpose. The residents will say “my grandson saw me on TikTok” and “I can’t believe I’m famous.” This platform allows their generation to connect with younger generations, including family! It breaks the stereotypes of the senior community by showing they still enjoy drinking with friends, cursing, and expressing themselves freely through tattoos.
We have seen the excitement residents get when a video goes viral and the increase in self esteem it can have. It also teaches our residents current trends within todays society and a better understanding of technology. Gaining this platform has helped promote the Bear Creek Community across the Colorado Springs area, leading to more companies offering their services to our seniors, which we are always grateful for. Some companies have sent free items to our residents like adaptive devices!
It is amazing to the see the impact that a recreation therapist such as Haley Ashley can have in our senior communities. Providing a whole-person recreational program not only helps future residents considering moving from the community see that they are not alone, but also allows them to envision a new way of living. Often our seniors are isolated or have social and mental health needs we cannot always meet as busy family members. By considering each resident’s needs, and understanding the impact on the person as a whole, Haley Ashley and Bear Creek Senior Living have taken the Senior Community and TikTok to a whole new level. Reserve your or your family members space now for delicious drinks, 80’s discos, TikTok trending, and so much more!!!
Check out Bear Creek Senior Living’s shenanigans on TikTok at: Bear Creek’s TikTok!!
For more info on this amazing community please visit here: Bear Creek Senior Living Colorado Springs
Don’t forget to check out their Facebook here: Bear Creek Senior Living Facebook
