Whether rooted in religious beliefs or not, spiritual connection holds profound importance in people’s lives. Through spiritual practices, individuals can find meaning and purpose, avenues for growth and self-discovery, and a sense of belonging and interconnectedness. As seniors age and retire from the workforce, maintaining connection, purpose, and health through spirituality becomes more important.
For many, spiritual and religious practices bring a sense of belonging. These practices provide community and social connection, which are so important for seniors, who are more likely to experience isolation and loneliness. Experiences of meditation, prayer, engagement, and more can shift perception in the brain and can benefit one’s mental health by reducing stress and creating a positive sense of self-worth.
In terms of brain health, regular participation in religious or spiritual practices offers opportunities for increased sensory stimulation and cognitive activity. Individuals who regularly participate in religious services can have better cognitive functioning compared to individuals who attend less often. Prayer, meditation, reading, singing, sermons, and discussions all build cognitive reserve capacity that can delay the manifestation of cognitive impairment.[1]
Understanding the importance of spiritual wellness in benefitting mental health, cognitive function, and social connections, Brightview Senior Living has made spirituality a key component of its SPICE program. The SPICE initiative includes the five holistic elements of wellness (Spiritual, Physical, Intellectual, Cultural, and Emotional) to support an overall sense of well-being and a positive approach to life. To address the Spiritual component of SPICE, Brightview communities offer various religious and spiritual practices, many of which meet weekly.
At Brightview Severna Park, Assisted Living resident Loise leads a Christian Bible study group every Monday. She plans weekly what the group will read from the Bible, along with a video paired with their discussion. She has help from some of her friends and welcomes everyone, regardless of their beliefs.
“I never ask anyone what they believe in; it just doesn’t matter,” shared Loise. Her friend Nina, who lives in Independent Living, attends Loise’s Bible study every Monday. “It's what we did… church has always been my life," Nina said.
Loise and Nina attend different churches every Sunday, yet they find a connection in their religious bond. At Brightview Severna Park, if three or more residents attend the same service, they will provide a shuttle to take them there and back every Sunday.
Another resident from Brightview Severna Park living in Independent Living, Ken, practices his religion with others weekly. "I am closer to God and more religious than I've ever been," he expressed. He leads a Catholic rosary group every Tuesday where anyone is welcome. Along with the rosary group, there is a prayer service once a week and communion every first and third Thursday of the month. "When we have communion, we have about 20, but when we have mass, it is about 30 residents," Ken stated.
A Brightview Severna Park resident, Marguerite, who turns 100 in August, expressed how she finds joy in these gatherings, as she attends both Loise's Bible study and Ken's rosary group every week.
At Brightview West End, Independent Living resident Richard attends Shabbat every Friday. He moved into Brightview West End nine months ago and shared, "The overall importance is the continuity; I've always been a member of the Synagogue." Brightview works with the Jewish Social Service Agency (JSSA) to bring Shabbat services to the community. Rabbah Arlene Berger comes to Brightview West End, along with other senior living centers weekly to gather and pray. Arlene was ordained in 2012, while being a social worker beforehand. She is adored by many residents, and she welcomes anyone to Shabbat. An Assisted Living resident, Sherry, who has been with Brightview West End since it has opened in 2019, expressed, "She's fabulous, she makes my day. She's inclusive, and she gives us different angles I've never heard before."
Brightview offers nonreligious spiritual programs for residents, as well. Susan Enderly, a Vibrant Living Assistant at Brightview Wayne, was asked to take over the Meditation Program shortly after she came to Brightview in July 2022. "It’s fortunate for me that not much changes in meditation since it’s been practiced for thousands of years,” said Susan.
A typical mediation session is 45 minutes and uses all the human senses. It offers deep breathing exercises, the four elements of Mother Nature, an introduction to Mudra and Mantra, and ending in prayer formation with Namaste. When asked about the residents’ experience during meditation, Susan shared, “They love how they feel, and leave with better attitudes and smiles of content on their faces, which makes it all the more worthwhile for me.” She is a big believer in how beneficial these sessions are for her residents and shared, “I know that mediation is important for senior citizens because it provides an overall benefit to their mind, body, and spirit…when meditation is done properly, cognitive functions are utilized, such as attentiveness, memory, and creativity.”
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2755140/
Brightview Senior Living builds, owns, and operates award-winning vibrant senior living communities in eight states along the East Coast: Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Virginia. We offer senior Independent Living, Assisted Living, Enhanced Care, and Wellspring Village™, a specialized neighborhood for people living with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. Schedule a personal visit to experience our communities firsthand.
