At every stage in life, people crave connection. As people age, they may find it difficult to maintain or create the same level of connection they need in order to feel fulfilled, joyful and healthy. Harbor Heights in Downtown Olympia strives to provide opportunities for their 55+ residents to foster positive relationships with each other and their community, which promotes a greater sense of health and wellbeing. Dr. Joe Casciani, longtime psychologist and founder of Living to 100 Club, has cultivated an essential understanding about the importance of staying connected into the “golden years.”
Casciani has always had a passion for older adults and has devoted much of his professional life to supporting people as they find ways to stay healthy throughout the aging process. He observed that a big part of this came down to the necessity for connection. “Nonstop engagement is attributed to successful aging,” he says. “We want to keep ourselves busy and have some purpose, meaning, and passion in life. When you can offer someone activities like they do at Harbor Heights, it gives people that chance to stay engaged.” Throughout his years as a psychologist working with Medicare patients, he has seen firsthand the difference it makes when people can interact meaningfully with their peers and the world around them.
Many people become more isolated as they age, whether due to loss of mobility, work, hobbies, or even loss of a spouse or close friend. It can be a trying time to navigate alone and can cause many older adults to fall into some level of depression as they try to cope with these overwhelming changes. “People will usually wait until they no longer feel that way to reconnect,” shares Casciani. “But we cannot wait for this stuff to knock on our door. It is up to us to take on that role and use our own initiative to start something.” Casciani is passionate about helping people find the determination needed to overcome struggles and find their joy for life again. His podcast, Living to 100, invites great insight through his own expertise and guest speakers to help people get the support they need to engage with the world again.
With Harbor Heights, exploring means of connection and engagement is simple due to the community’s range of amenities. There are neighbors, team members and local advocates that are eager to create a welcoming and exciting space for everyone to find their niche and begin doing the things they love alongside new friends. Trying new things can be daunting, and trying to meet new people often feels like an impossible task, but with the classes, events and resident-run groups, it is easy to find ways to feed your mind and stay connected. “Senior community living is an opportunity for that engagement, connection and social networking,” Casciani says. “It is also an opportunity to stay mentally challenged and intellectually stimulated.”
Harbor Heights makes every effort to keep their residential community fun, welcoming and exciting for their residents. There are exceptional amenities that provide ongoing entertainment, such as their fitness room, game room, craft room and theater room. Many of the residents have developed their own groups and social gatherings, which has made the community that much more vibrant and inclusive. Since many of their residents come from out of state, it can be intimidating to open up when first moving in, but with fun clubs like mahjong and Texas Hold ‘Em, most community members quickly find their niche with hobbies that help them stay busy while meeting new people. With such a wide variety of activities, Harbor Heights is the perfect place to connect no matter what your interests are.
In addition to the regular resident programming, Harbor Heights also strives to involve their local business owners as much as possible to create fresh learning opportunities and new experiences for their residents. They recently partnered with Bittersweet Chocolates to hold a tasting event and chef recipe demo which also provided a great way for residents to get to know their neighbors and try something new. By developing and fostering these local relationships, residents can feel even more connected to their greater community. Harbor Heights has been thrilled to welcome back in-person events and is planning to host new events like dance lessons with live music on their beautiful sky terrace this summer. With so much to experience, Harbor Heights truly promotes every opportunity to stay engaged and live well.
Aspects of aging can be quite challenging, but with the support, connection and activities offered at Harbor Heights, you never have to lose that sense of community and togetherness. If you are looking for your next forever home, Harbor Heights has everything you need to stay happy and healthy for many years to come. Contact the Harbor Heights team today via the number below or the Harbor Heights website to schedule a tour and learn more about how this 55+ community can help you achieve successful aging.
Harbor Heights
500 Columbia St. NW, Olympia
360.227.6800
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