How Senior Housing and Aging Services Can Extend ‘Joyspan’

“A lengthy life span does not equal a life well lived: You have to like your life, too.”

That’s how a recent New York Times piece sums up Dr. Kerry Burnight’s idea of “joyspan,” and I was thrilled to see the concept — and her new book, “Joyspan: The Art and Science of Thriving in Life’s Second Half” — featured there.

Like health span, joyspan is an important factor in getting the most out of our later years. There are four “nonnegotiable” actions you can take to extend your joyspan, Kerry says:

▶️Grow
▶️Adapt
▶️Give
▶️Connect

I think “Give” and “Adapt” are especially important.

Giving

“Everyone has something to give, [Burnight said], whether it’s ‘time, attention, patience, wisdom or kindness.’”

I, of course, agree.

The challenge for senior housing and aging services is whether we can recognize that ability among our residents and program participants.

Even more challenging, can we provide customized opportunities for them to give, even if they face physical or cognitive challenges?

Artificial intelligence and other technology may help. But we need to recognize what a difference it could make. All of us get something out of giving. Finding ways for older adults to give will help them feel connected and that they have value in others’ lives.

Adaptation

Kerry’s focus on adapting is important to note, as well.

Listing things that have gotten better as you’ve gotten older and brainstorming ways to adapt are good suggestions for older adults facing challenges.

It also strikes me that senior housing and care staff and sales teams can play a key role in helping people to adapt, finding positive ways they can express who they are, and do the things they used to take enormous pleasure in.

Staff can lead residents toward a more constructive frame of mind by asking questions like “Can you tell me about some things that have gotten better for you as you’ve gotten older?”

Or they could address the loss of a certain ability by asking “What are some things that you can do instead that would give you a sense of satisfaction and joy?”

Salespeople — whose job is connecting with prospective residents and letting them know they understand their situation — can explain how moving into their community is a good way to adapt to the challenges that they face.

For instance, if an older adult used to travel the world but no longer can, the sales staff might suggest, “Here, you could lead presentations on all the places you’ve traveled and even lead virtual tours to those places.”

The key is finding ways to make a person feel that they still have value. Acknowledge that they still have something to contribute, and the community would be thrilled to have them contribute.

You certainly don’t need to be on the sales team or the staff of a senior housing and care organization to get something out of the idea of joyspan. I strongly recommend giving this piece — not to mention Kerry’s book —  a look.