The Science and Success of Socialization: One of Traditions Management’s Core Values

Socialization, one of Traditions Management’s Core Values, empowers and encourages residents who may be suffering from loss and depression to regain their zest for life. We encourage residents to get involved and participate in community events and activities.
Studies show that residents who interact socially tend to focus less on health issues than those who remain secluded. This interaction is also good for intellectual stimulation. In many cases, socialization also encourages physical activity.
At Traditions of Beavercreek, we provide purposeful interaction with family, staff, and other residents, which fosters positive friendships through fun activities that benefit both mental and physical health.
The Impact of Aging on Socialization
As people age, it’s often easy to see what is happening to them physically. Their hair may turn grey or begin to thin, they may lose elasticity in their skin, and experience fluctuations in weight, leading to visible effects such as muscle loss or changes in bone density. But what’s happening mentally may be much more challenging to see.
When people get older, they may notice changes in their social circle that may have an adverse impact on their mental health. Children grow up and may live further away. Retirement brings about a loss in daily interactions with peers and co-workers. And, sadly, as time passes, you eventually begin to lose friends and family. These changes can create marked changes in an individual’s socialization, which can lead to loneliness and depression.
Some seniors may also experience a loss of independence due to physical or mental conditions resulting from the aging process. This can be particularly difficult for fiercely independent seniors to accept.
Aging can be difficult and lonely, potentially creating a downward spiral that can lead to depression. But it certainly doesn’t have to be! Maintaining seniors' engagement through ongoing socialization with family, friends, and neighbors can have a profoundly positive impact on their lives.
The Science of Socialization
So how does brain science support the importance of socialization among seniors?

According to the National Institute on Aging, maintaining social connections with family, friends, and neighbors “is a great way to ward off isolation and loneliness,” and “may also help support your cognitive function.” Research from Penn State supports this assertion, finding that “socializing with others is important for mental health and well-being, and it may help improve cognition, as well — especially for older adults, according to new research.”
Some of the research-supported benefits of socialization for seniors include:
- Reduced symptoms and risk of anxiety and depression
- Improved cognitive function
- Improved physical health
- Strengthened immune system
- Increased self-esteem
Finally, a recent study from the University of Kentucky determined there is a distinct connection between socialization and brain health, stating, “Staying socially connected, exercising and keeping your brain engaged with stimulating activities may provide substantial protection against the detrimental effects of aging and age-related diseases like Alzheimer’s.”
Combating Loneliness and Depression Through Socialization
Fortunately, socialization, one of our core values, is an intervention that can significantly improve seniors’ mental health and quality of life. We apply this established research and science practically in our communities, and we have fun doing it!
Traditions of Beavercreek strives to maximize the quality of life for every resident by providing the highest level of care and service. This includes a strong focus on socialization. “We don’t want people in their apartments, said Andy Wade, President of Traditions Management. “We want them to be in the common spaces, interacting with one another, engaging with our staff, participating in activities, and most importantly, creating beloved new traditions with friends and family.”

Our activity directors create unique, varied experiences for our residents. From expected activities like game nights, happy hours, and holiday celebrations to the unexpected, such as Derby Day races or flash mobs, residents are strongly encouraged to get involved, meet their neighbors, and have a great time. Activities take place both on-site in our wonderful community spaces and in the surrounding community, where residents can leave their homes and be part of the neighborhoods in which we’re located.
Encouraging Engagement Everyday Through Common But Impactful Interactions
When seniors and their families consider a senior living community, it’s not just the building itself that they are evaluating. While we build and maintain beautiful buildings with desirable amenities, seniors can find that anywhere. What sets Traditions apart is our philosophy toward senior care, which includes vetted interventions such as socialization and engagement through proven successful activities. But it’s not just the big activities and events that make the difference. It’s also the simple, everyday interactions that occur in the hallways, walking paths, and community spaces. From their first tour to their first dinner to their first big holiday celebration, the residents hear the same positive language. We have a shared vocabulary among our staff from the Executive Director to the maintenance crew. From a simple “hello” to assisting a resident to the dining room or just remembering a resident’s name, our staff is trained to make residents feel truly at home.
Wrap Up
Like many senior living communities, Traditions Management offers beautiful buildings with a wide range of amenities. But it’s our daily interactions with residents, the small acts of kindness and care, that are the foundation of rich relationships and whole lives. It is our mission to maximize the quality of life for each member of the Traditions community through genuine and uncompromising care and service. We achieve this by creating an atmosphere where our residents are engaged. We succeed by doing the right things for the right reasons.