We tend to think of love as the realm of the young. It’s a time of passion and of finding our marriage match. Prevailing “wisdom” suggests older adults are not interested in love of the romantic sort, instead relegating that emotion to family and friendships of the life-long variety.
Yet as we take more of an interest in society’s elders, research is finding that for many older adults, these assumptions simply aren’t true. As Aaron Ben-Zeév writes in Psychology Today, “It is often the case that love at old age is deeper than that at a young age.”
Love is something Sue Rowell witnesses first-hand every day at Quail Park at Lynnwood, a senior living residence with options ranging from independent living cottages and apartments to assisted living and memory care accommodations, plus a recently added Enhanced Assisted Living area.
Rowell has worked in senior living for more than 30 years, and challenges people to reconsider their assumptions.
“At Quail Park, senior living is about building community, and within that community come new, rewarding and loving connections,” Rowell explains. “We witness the love that grows when a widow and widower meet, fall in love, and marry, or when two new friends find meaningful connection over a shared hobby.
“And when someone experiences a loss, their senior community understands that loss and comes together in love and caring in a way few others can.”
The importance of love
Regardless of age, we know that love and friendship are vital to health, wellness and overall happiness. The question, then, is how to create the opportunity for love.
The answer: Community.
When people retire, and children are busy with their own day-to-day, the world can suddenly become much smaller. Add divorce or the death of a spouse to the mix, and isolation becomes very real.
And that’s where senior living comes in. Quite simply, at Quail Park, “love flourishes,” Rowell says.
It’s not only about having someone next door of a similar age. It’s about foregoing those taxing, lonely chores like home maintenance or yard work to embrace that time to explore a passion for art, or travel or woodwork. It’s about finding someone to join you in nourishing body and soul through a new fitness program or sharing a belly laugh over a new book or movie you enjoyed together.
Regardless of age, this is love.
To explore the possibilities waiting at Quail Park of Lynnwood, call
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