50+ Lifestyles

Seniors Lead the Way in Their Own Activities

By Karen McCoy
Marketing Consultant
Ridgecrest Village

For many years, activity programs at senior communities have been put together and ran by activity directors. As the 65+ demographic grows, our activity director, Marlene, is looking to the future to accommodate the needs and wants of the new population of residents that are moving into Ridgecrest. She is seeing a shift in the way activities
are ran, as well as what types of programs our residents are requesting.

For many years, our residents could expect to choose between bingo, bridge and other card games, possibly some arts and crafts, a day-trip outing from time to time, and a few teas or lunchtime special events throughout the year. Holding on to the status quo, however, is no longer the norm at Ridgecrest Village. Instead, we pay attention to our
residents. Our programming has seen a shift in the programs that we offer and who is running the programs. This has made a definite change in the participation and enjoyment of the programs.

The biggest change in programming is the involvement of residents in the delivery of our programs. We have a huge pool of volunteers with a variety of skills looking to give back.   This is an important and significant change.

Our residents want programs that are of interest to them. And they have demonstrated they don’t have the same interests as their parents.

We have paid attention to the wants and needs of our residents and have made a change in the way our programming is run. Our residents have lived a life of enjoying it to the fullest and participating in the decisions as to what they are going to do with their free time. The programs that are offered at Ridgecrest are programs that are aimed at keeping them interested and lively. There is something to be said about the act of giving back. Our younger residents are sensitive to the interests of the older generations that still live at Ridgecrest, so they encourage them to participate in the new activities at whatever level they are able to. For example: We have a line dancing class, some stand and dance, others use a walker and dance and yet others sit in the chair and dance. The most important aspect is that they all dance.

Some of the changes are new and definitely created by our younger residents, and some of the changes have been gradually happening over the last few years. Our activities director has been sensitive to the need of the younger residents to use their abilities, wants and desires as she continues to develop new programming.  It is not uncommon for our residents to approach her with new and meaningful events and programs that they would like to see happen.  The best part of this is that they take ownership in setting the
program up and getting others involved. She realizes that they need to take ownership. Young and old, newcomers bring with them a fresh perspective and a rich, cultural background full of traditions and customs, which everyone can enjoy. If people are going to be interested in moving to Ridgecrest, we must offer a wide range of opportunities for them.

Karen McCoy is Marketing Consultant for Ridgecrest Village in Davenport, Iowa. For more information about Ridgecrest Village, contact Karen at (563) 391-3430.