The advantages of living in a seniors’ residence in winter!
Some people still believe that PSRs are synonymous with seclusion or reduced activity. Yet, the truth extends far beyond that perception. For many, living in a seniors’ residence provides access to an engaging everyday experience centred on autonomy and liberty. This proves especially advantageous in the winter months, which are often linked to isolation and depression. With the arrival of the new year, let’s explore the benefits that living in a seniors’ residence in winter offers to those who embrace this lifestyle!
Do away with tedious tasks
For many older individuals who continue to live in their own homes, winter’s arrival brings significant stress. A wide range of preparations and responsibilities must be handled: readying the grounds, putting away outdoor furniture, setting up a carport, cleaning the chimney, clearing snow from the driveway, cleaning gutters, protecting bushes, tidying the yard and garden beds, weatherproofing windows…
In short, there’s a long list of tasks to organize and complete – and over time, these duties tend to feel heavier and heavier. Eventually, help must be found to get them done.
In a residence, these responsibilities are generally handled for you, which can greatly ease everyday life. There’s no need to shovel the driveway or salt the steps anymore; staff take care of it on your behalf.
This new reality naturally changes the picture: you expend less energy and free up time – time for peace of mind and for fully enjoying what matters most: family, friends, physical activities, hobbies, personal projects, volunteer work, and so on.
Another advantage: when your loved ones come to see you, their visits are no longer about clearing snow from the roof or dealing with frozen pipes. Instead, it’s to spend genuine quality time with you – playing cards, reading a story, creating a photo album, doing puzzles, baking cookies, watching a movie, talking about life… All of a sudden, that precious bond becomes much easier to nurture.
Even brothers and sisters who live elsewhere can benefit as well: since residences are easy to access, visits become simpler for them too!
Stay active without confronting the cold
Everyone knows that winter can make us feel lonelier, particularly if we’re worried about slipping and falling, or driving in the snow. The cold months can therefore lead to isolation… and sometimes a loss of independence.
We also know that social isolation is one of the biggest challenges of getting older… yet living in a seniors’ residence still offers the chance to “get out… without actually going out”!
At Le Groupe Maurice, there’s no shortage of indoor activities. From the cinema, pool and library – to common areas, bowling or even virtual golf – there’s something for everyone! And it’s all just a short walk from your apartment.
Combine that with various groups and events like indoor walking clubs, creative workshops, monthly birthday parties, themed evenings… and you’ve got a winning formula. Every day brings a new opportunity to do something different!
Not only do you have the opportunity to enjoy your favourite activity without having to step outside, but you also have the chance to socialize in the comfort of the residence. Neighbours can indeed become friends and join you for all sorts of entertaining activities.
This social fabric supports both physical and mental well-being, while nurturing a sense of belonging – essential to overall well-being, especially in the middle of winter.
Rediscover the joy of eating… together
Living in a seniors’ residence can also offer some unforeseen advantages. With shorter days and the lack of sunlight, energy levels tend to dip. And when they do, the motivation to prepare wholesome meals often suffers. Dining alone for lunch or dinner every day is hardly motivating, and there are times we simply resort to a peanut butter sandwich or a can of soup.
This is perfectly understandable, but it’s exactly where residence dining rooms show their true value: around a welcoming table, the meal transforms into a moment for conversation, laughter and sharing. Appetite can come back, and with it, a zest for life!
This point carries even greater weight when we consider a 2020 study across three countries, including Canada, which found that almost 70% of individuals aged 65 and over living at home were at risk of undernourishment. Sharing meals then becomes a genuine ally for health and wellness.
Stay connected to community life
The location of private seniors’ residences near essential businesses significantly improves residents’ quality of life during winter. Grocery stores, pharmacies and other vital services become easily accessible, even when the cold or snow makes getting around more difficult.
Feeling like shopping, having a coffee or enjoying a meal with friends? Nearby boutiques, restaurants and cafés provide that everyday freedom. Some residences, such as Lilo in L’Île-Perrot, even accommodate shops within their own walls, greatly simplifying daily life.
For older people with greater mobility challenges, this brings genuine relief: constantly needing to rely on family or friends for every errand is no longer necessary, helping to preserve their self-reliance and independence.
Get some fresh air… without venturing far
Many seniors are still highly active and appreciate the joys of the outdoors, even as winter changes the scenery. And it’s true – staying active outside isn’t just enjoyable; it’s great for your health, spirits and everyday energy.
Some Le Groupe Maurice residences, such as Elogia, Les Promenades du Parc, or Le Savignon, are ideally located just steps away from true natural treasures: Parc Maisonneuve, Parc Michel-Chartrand, the Lachine Canal National Historic Site…
These places are perfect for walking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing or simply getting a breath of fresh air without leaving your neighbourhood. Here, enjoying nature becomes an easy habit to integrate into your daily life.
Opting for living in a seniors’ residence in winter allows many people to shed some of the season’s burdens and enjoy the here and now more fully. It’s a chance to rediscover the taste for simple pleasures: talking, playing, eating, moving and forming bonds each day. And you, what’s your perspective? Might winter turn into your favourite season?