Sonida Senior Living’s Tree of Dreams program encompasses three core values: Compassion, legacy and adventure. We’ve previously discussed why compassion is a core value of our program, so now let’s talk about legacy.
As older adults approach the later stages of life, the desire to leave a lasting impact becomes increasingly significant. Everyone wants to be remembered for something meaningful, right? This is one of the main reasons why Sonida Senior Living created the Tree of Dreams program.
The Tree of Dreams program aids in helping our residents accomplish goals they’ve had for many years or just recently discovered. Oftentimes, these goals involve leaving a legacy for future generations, whether through acts of love, community service or artistic pursuits. Through the realization of their dreams, seniors can contribute to a legacy that inspires their peers, family members and beyond.
Psychological and emotional benefits of legacy for seniors
While “legacy” can be interpreted as someone’s physical possessions, career journey or financial wealth, it more so embodies the accumulation of knowledge, values and experiences of someone’s life.
For seniors, sharing their personal histories, aspirations and traditions with loved ones offers many psychological and emotional benefits, such as:
Psychological benefits
- Enhanced emotional well-being: Engaging in legacy-building activities, like creating a family history time capsule, allows seniors to process their life experiences, leading to improved emotional health. Reflecting on personal stories and achievements can provide clarity and fulfillment.
- Reduced stress: The act of documenting one’s life, through writing or another creative outlet, serves as a therapeutic exercise. This practice can alleviate feelings of anxiety and depression by providing an avenue for self-expression and emotional release.
- Strengthened cognitive function: Activities such as journaling, scrapbooking or storytelling stimulate cognitive processes, aiding in memory retention and overall mental agility. This engagement keeps the mind active and can delay cognitive decline.
Emotional benefits
- Sense of purpose: Contributing to the well-being of others or the local community instills a renewed sense of purpose. Knowing that one’s actions positively impact others promotes feelings of pride and satisfaction.
- Improved social connections: Legacy projects often involve collaboration with family, friends or community members. These interactions enhance social bonds while combating isolation and loneliness.
- Emotional resilience: Facing the concept of mortality can be daunting for older adults. However, actively engaging in legacy building provides a constructive way to cope with this reality, fostering emotional resilience and peace of mind.
How seniors can cultivate a lasting legacy
Encouraging seniors to take part in legacy-building activities ensures their impact extends beyond their lifetime. Legacy building not only bridges generations through shared wisdom and experiences, but it also reinforces the importance of self-reflection.
Here are some ways seniors can start legacy building:
Share your life story: Writing a memoir, recording personal anecdotes or creating a video diary allows seniors to preserve their lived experiences and precious memories. Platforms like StoryCorps can help facilitate this process by recording personal stories and life lessons that might otherwise be lost.
Engage in artistic expression: Art can capture emotions and perspectives in a way that words cannot. Artistic projects, like painting, music, quilting or crafting, provide a creative outlet for self-expression and allow seniors to leave behind something beautiful. Seniors can also showcase their work in community exhibitions, donate pieces to charitable causes or pass them down as family heirlooms.
Mentor and teach: Becoming a mentor to younger generations, whether through family, community programs or professional organizations, helps pass down invaluable knowledge. Seniors can offer guidance through formal mentorship programs, assist in educational settings or simply share their wisdom with grandchildren and younger community members. Teaching a skill, such as woodworking, gardening or cooking, allows their expertise to live on.
Give back to the community: Volunteering for charitable causes, starting a scholarship fund or engaging in community service projects ensures that one’s impact continues to benefit others for years to come. Seniors can contribute by organizing local food drives, supporting literacy programs or advocating for social causes they’re passionate about. Even small, consistent acts of kindness, like writing letters to hospital patients or mentoring at-risk youth, can create lasting change.
Create traditions and heirlooms: Traditions like annual storytelling nights, handmade holiday gifts or meaningful rituals help keep family bonds strong. Heirlooms, such as a quilt made from old family clothing or a recipe book filled with generations of cooking secrets, serve as tangible reminders of a senior’s love and legacy.
How a Sonida Senior Living community can help seniors leave a legacy
Leaving a legacy is a powerful endeavor that many seniors strive for. Sonida Senior Living’s Tree of Dreams provides structured and compassionate avenues for residents to realize their dreams, ensuring their legacies endure. By embracing opportunities to share their wisdom, talents and love, seniors can find profound fulfillment and leave a lasting impression.
All of our senior living communities offer the Tree of Dreams program. Find a community near you to see this program for yourself.