Creative staff + fun-loving residents + community
= healthy aging
McGregor ladies dressed in fancy gloves and hats for an English Tea outing.
Residents and staff had fun during Hoyt Lakes’ annual Water Carnival, even if much of the water was falling from the sky.
Study after study has shown that, as we age, staying actively engaged and connected to other people are keys to better health and overall happiness. Therefore, having access to assisted living, even in rural communities, is vital to ensuring that, as people grow older, they can remain in familiar surroundings close to family and friends – even after they can no longer live at home on their own.
“Aging with Independence” has always been a core priority of the Northland Foundation. In 2006, the Board of Trustees committed to a new, mission-driven initiative to help more rural seniors to age with dignity in their own communities. In the years since, the Foundation has developed three welcoming assisted living facilities in the small towns of McGregor, Buhl, and Hoyt Lakes where previously they were not available. Each Northland Village location offers 20 private suites along with comfortable dining, social/recreation, and outdoor areas.
More than providing just a roof overhead, meals, and other helpful services to the residents, the staff teams at Northland Village promote and support healthy socialization among residents and spur community connections. Together the residents, the staff, and the community keep active. In addition to the frequent activities such as cards, exercise, coffee chats, musical entertainment, and movies-and-popcorn, each site hosts especially fun and unexpected events.
Northland Village in Hoyt Lakes took part in this year’s annual Water Carnival. They created a themed float for the parade with staff dressed in costumes and residents riding on board.
“The weather was rainy, cold, and miserable, but we bundled up and were more than thrilled to be in the parade,” said Northland Village resident, Dolores Johnston. “We were surprised and happy that our float won first place!”
In McGregor, some of the ladies donned hats and gloves to attend an English Tea hosted by the local nonprofit ANGELS group.
Buhl invited the community to a create-your-own-sundae ice cream social including an array of tasty sundae toppings.
Every day brings new opportunities for lively interaction, an essential part of a full and meaningful life for the residents in and around the Northland Village Assisted Living Communities.