When I was in high school, I regularly visited a local nursing home with my church youth group to sing and spend time with the residents. I still remember the unfamiliar smells and the unsettling feeling that surrounded those visits. For many years, I assumed all senior living communities were like that. Oh, how times have changed!
A couple of years ago, a friend invited me to a public event at King City Senior Village, and that experience completely changed my viewpoint. Since then, I’ve attended magic shows, concerts, casino nights, happy hours, performances by Elvis impersonators, and so much more at various local communities.
Many locations also offer educational presentations that provide valuable information on topics important to older adults. I’ve attended sessions on creating a legacy binder, chef-to-table experiences, scams targeting seniors, estate planning, and other subjects that expanded my knowledge. Almost all of the events are free.
The activity directors and staff are always welcoming to visitors, and residents are eager to share smiles, stories, and conversations. These experiences have shown me that today’s senior communities can be vibrant, joyful places filled with connection, laughter, and opportunities to have fun. It truly is a win for everyone. Deana Rode, activity director at King City Senior Village, shared, “No more old folks’ homes! Senior living is about living life to the fullest. At King City Senior Village, we strive to create fun events, lasting friendships, and meaningful moments that bring our residents and community together. Being an activity director brings me so much joy, and seeing a resident smile is the best part of what I do.”
If you’re looking for ways to stay active, meet new people, and enjoy yourself without spending a lot of money, attending events at local senior communities is a wonderful opportunity. King City Senior Village and Prestige Senior Living Riverwood are two examples of places that offer public activities and often advertise events in Tualatin Life. You can also call local communities and ask to be added to their email lists so you’ll know what’s happening.
You may hesitate to attend, thinking you’ll be pressured to move there. Yes, you might be offered a tour, but you are under no obligation to take one. In my experience, I’ve never felt pressured. I have a large group of friends who attend these events with me, and no one has ever had a negative experience.
You might also think, “I don’t plan to live there, so it’s not right for me to go.” Maybe you won’t, but gathering information is always a smart idea. Each visit gives you a better understanding of the food, staff, activities, and accommodations available. Someday, that knowledge could be helpful for you, a family member, or a friend. These communities enjoy building relationships with local residents and sharing what they have to offer.
Cathy Christensen, a local Tualatin senior who enjoys attending public events at area communities, says, “For me, it’s the fun of being with friends, spending time with the residents, and having new experiences. I love the people connections.”
I’m with Cathy. Give it a try!
In the meantime, I’ll be looking through my stack of postcards from Prestige Senior Living, emails from King City Senior Village, and ads from local communities, deciding whether my next outing will be a sock hop, peach pie social, or happy hour. So many places to go and so many choices to make!
