What makes for an active, happy life in your senior years? Diet and exercise are key, of course, but equally important are your connections to others, which can even impact your physical health.
As people age, though, their social circles may become smaller and their physical abilities less robust. Too often, the result is even greater isolation.
“Being at home can be lonely. That’s why a lot of people eventually decide to move to Ovation,” said Erick Lorenzana, General Manager of Ovation Sienna Hills. “They want to mingle with other people, get to know other people. I think that social aspect is super important.”
Ovation may be best known for its beauty and luxury — but equally important are the strong sense of community and an atmosphere of belonging. That’s what June, an Assisted Living resident, appreciates most.
“I’ve never made more friends that feel like family until this chapter of my life,” she said. “No matter where you go, it’s ‘Hello, June.’ ‘Hi, June.’ Everybody knows your name.”
Everywhere at Ovation — in Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care, and respite care — the human connection is a treasured part of life for residents and staff.
A huge variety of activities makes it easy to socialize
When a new resident arrives at Ovation, the Resident Ambassador program welcomes them. June — who’s volunteered to be its current head — introduces them to the array of daily activities that make it easy to meet people, like fitness classes of all types, pickleball, games, special interest clubs, field trips, and so much more.
She also invites newcomers to join her at mealtime, making it easy for them to get acquainted with their neighbors while enjoying Ovation’s gourmet dining experience.
The activities and vibrant social life are why Ellen, a former teacher, and her husband Don, a retired airline pilot, chose the Independent Living Villas at Ovation.
“There is a special feeling that is unique over other choices we investigated,” Ellen said. “It’s not a sit-around-in-your-rocking-chair sort of place.”
A most memorable birthday
Everyone’s birthday is celebrated at Ovation, but the party for one Assisted Living resident, Ted, was unusually moving.
Life Enrichment Director Destiny Schwartz, along with Ted’s neighbor Nea, planned the event for him, but when everyone gathered around the cake and sang “Happy Birthday,” Ted looked stunned.
He’d grown up in military school and had never celebrated his birthday before. This was his very first birthday cake and the first time in his life anyone sang the birthday song to him.
And when Destiny and Nea chose for him a German chocolate cake, they had no idea it was his favorite.
“I even saw him shed a tear,” said Destiny.
Go Stan!
Human connection is also vital for people with dementia — and the caring attention of the staff makes a huge difference in their well-being and helps keep further decline at bay.
What makes Stan, a Memory Care resident, the happiest is doing what he’s loved all of his life: running, and these days walking, in a race. Every year for the past 20 years, he’s participated in the Huntsman World Senior Games in St. George — and for 12 of those years he’s had Alzheimer’s.
Like all athletes, he trains just about every day, walking the perimeter of the memory care neighborhood, as staff members walk with him, providing encouragement that often elicits a smile that lights up his face.
This October, he entered — and completed — the 5K race at the Huntsman Games. His family, friends and his Ovation certified nursing assistant were there with him, and as he crossed the finish line, he was greeted by the cheers from the crowd and signs saying, “Go Stan!” and “Stan the Man.”
He had one comment at the end, a booming “I love it!”
