Tag: senior living wellness

Longevity isn’t just measured in years, it’s measured in independence. The emerging science of aging shows that emotional health, resilience, and social connection are just as powerful as blood pressure or cholesterol when it comes to predicting how long and how well we live. 

These “soft measures” may sound intangible, but they can reveal early signs of decline long before traditional medical tests do. giving individuals and communities the chance to intervene early and preserve independence. 

That insight was at the center of Dr. Kathleen Potempa’s conversation on Varsity’s weekly Roundtable. As founder of HealthyLifetime, Dr. Potempa and her team are redefining how we measure and maintain wellness in later life through tools like the Independent Living Index, which tracks the factors that most influence long-term vitality.  Below are a few Fresh Perspectives from her discussion.

SOFT MEASURES REVEAL HIDDEN RISK 

Self-reported well-being factors like purpose, resilience, and life satisfaction can uncover “insidious risks” that traditional medical tests miss—allowing communities to intervene before decline begins.

WELL-BEING IS THE NEW LONGEVITY STRATEGY 

Decades of research show that emotional health, social connection, and resilience aren’t just feel-good factors, they’re strong predictors of longevity, independence, and reduced mortality.

RESILIENCE BUILDS REAL STRENGTH 

Mental and emotional resilience create both psychological and physical benefits, helping older adults think clearly, make healthier choices, and stay “heartier” over time.

CONNECTION IS MEDICINE 

Social engagement literally strengthens the body. Meaningful relationships help regulate stress, boost immunity, and protect against decline, proving that community is a biological need, not a luxury.

TRACKING WELL-BEING DRIVES ACTION 

HealthyLifetime’s Independent Living Index turns soft data into actionable insight. It helps communities measure risk, track improvement, and show tangible outcomes that resonate with residents and families.

REVENTION IS THE FUTURE OF AGING 

The shift from treating illness to preventing decline is underway. HealthyLifetime’s expansion as an independent company signals a new era where aging well means living longer, healthier, and more independently.

Varsity’s Roundtable is a weekly virtual gathering of senior living marketers and leaders from across the nation. For updates about future weekly Roundtable gatherings, submit your name and email address here.

This week’s Sales and Marketing Roundtable marked a milestone—our 275th session—and we were joined by Jennifer Smith from Mather Institute for an inspiring deep dive into the Age Well Study.

 This groundbreaking, five-year research project explored how living in a Life Plan Community influences health, happiness, and overall wellness compared to older adults living independently. With participation from more than 8,000 residents across 122 communities, the study offers one of the most comprehensive looks yet at the benefits of community living. Below are a few Fresh Perspectives from her discussion. 

SOCIAL AND INTELLECTUAL ENGAGEMENT 

Residents in Life Plan Communities experienced increased social interactions and higher engagement in intellectual activities, unlike the broader community. This reflects the rich program offerings and resources available, fostering deeper relationships and continuous learning.

EMOTIONAL WELLNESS 

Despite a slight tendency for residents’ emotional wellness scores to decline, they generally remained higher or similar to those of the broader community. Enhancing emotional wellness programs to address life challenges and transitions could further build on this advantage.

PERCEPTION OF BENEFITS 

When asked to reflect on how moving into a Life Plan Community affected their wellness, over two-thirds of respondents indicated their social wellness improved and more than one-half experienced benefits to their physical and intellectual wellness.. This highlights the communities’ strength in supporting resident well-being.

TAILORED WELLNESS PROGRAMS 

The Person-Centric Wellness Model, emphasizing choice, growth, and community support, suggests that personalized wellness offerings can effectively enhance residents’ motivation and engagement in healthy behaviors.

COMMUNITY COMPARISONS 

Efforts were made to make the resident and community-at-large groups comparable on age, gender, income, and race/ethnicity, yet there still may be pre-existing differences between groups that may influence wellness outcomes.

AGE PERCEPTION AND TRAINING 

Promoting positive views of aging is important to the wellness of older adults.  Employee training to reduce subtle forms of “everyday ageism” in language and actions may increase awareness and change behaviors. 

Varsity’s Roundtable is a weekly virtual gathering of senior living marketers and leaders from across the nation. For updates about future weekly Roundtable gatherings, submit your name and email address here.