Hugs and Friendships Help Longevity

Socializing is a critical aspect of our well-being. Leon Grundstein, Founder and CEO of GenCare Lifestyle, and Danielle Parker, their COO, join Suzanne Newman on the Answers for Elders radio show to talk about this part of our lives. Leon explains how GenCare tracked the effects of longevity when they began their Whole Life Living Approach program.

Leon says, "One of the worst things that can happen to you is being in solitary confinement. That's why it's so oppressive. And that speaks to why, if a person just decides to stay home with a caregiver and they don't socialize, they're really going to deteriorate mentally, emotionally and physically. So when you come into an environment like ours where you're around people, whether it's at a meal, an exercise class or discussion about a book or you're watching a movie together, or you're having a political debate together, no matter which side of the fence you're on, it works your brain and it gets your juices flowing and it just makes you feel more alive. As human beings, we need that kind of contact.

"You get a few hugs along the way. And physical touch is important, not just the verbal interaction, the visual interaction. We develop relationships and bonds, and people are happier, and they live longer when when they're in that type of situation."

Danielle shares a success story. "I met a daughter of a current resident. Now, he was a prospective resident then, and she was looking for senior housing communities specifically related to nutrition. Dad was home alone, independent, still driving. And he was he was eating a lot of frozen TV dinners – the number one ingredient is sodium, for shelf life. And he had heart failure, and his legs were swelling, and he couldn't figure out why. And it was having a very negative impact on his quality of life, and his ability to navigate at home, navigating the kitchen.

"About six weeks after he moved in, the swelling in his legs was nearly gone. And he was walking better. He was participating in activities. He actually said he hated TV dinners. He said they had their time and place, but didn't want them any more. And his daughter just felt so relieved. Her dad was back. He would opt to go with her out on outings, and go to the grocery store, and run errands."

Learn more at gencarelifestyle.com.

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