Couple With Bikes

Aging With Purpose

Whether aging adults choose to stay at home or move to a senior living community, maintaining purpose through engagement and collaboration is proving to be ever more important – both for the individual and the community. Northfield Retirement Community recognizes this and has been intentional about shaping a campus community that supports a range of opportunities – from mentoring local youth to collaborating with others at FiftyNorth, the local senior center. Aging with purpose can provide remarkable benefits to residents’ physical and mental health.

The Importance of Purposeful Aging

Purposeful aging stems from the idea that older adults have unique contributions to offer society and that, in return, they can make mental, physical and social gains. There is more evidence today than ever before that having a sense of purpose in one’s life is incredibly rewarding. So not only will there be a significant payoff today, investing in collaborations now will inspire future generations to prioritize these activities.

Benefits of Purposeful Aging

According to reports published by the Milken Institute Center for the Future of Aging, purposeful aging results in a wide range of potential benefits for older adults and their communities.

  • Socialization can result in decreased feelings of loneliness and isolation.
  • Having purpose is tied to aging adults’ physical and mental well-being and even longevity.
  • Imparting wisdom on successor generations can benefit the welfare of future societies.
  • Purposeful activities, such as volunteering or community involvement, can slow cognitive decline.

Collaboration Opportunities Abound

NRC believes that aging adults have the wisdom, energy and life experience to help build a better future. We encourage involvement through a range of on- and off-campus opportunities and provide possibilities for purposeful aging that add a meaningful dimension to life at NRC. And while the health benefits abound, the organization’s leadership team believes these partnerships are an important part of NRC’s corporate commitment to the greater Northfield community.

Greenvale Park Community School

Elementary school students who take part in programming at nearby Greenvale Park Community School routinely visit NRC to spend time with residents. In turn, NRC residents have found meaningful ways to give back to students and families at the school. Read the story with Lila »

FiftyNorth (Formerly the Northfield Senior Center)

A new partnership with FiftyNorth brings fitness classes to campus throughout the week and offers residents the opportunity to visit FiftyNorth for a broader range of classes, including water exercises. This partnership allows residents to deepen their relationships and interactions with the greater community.

Area Churches

NRC fulfills its mission in partnership with 20 Christian congregations throughout the Northfield area. In addition to delegates from each congregation, which elect the board of directors to govern the organization, the churches offer many opportunities for social and educational programming both on the NRC campus and off campus. Pastoral and youth visits as well as fellowship luncheons with residents are provided along with musical entertainment and opportunities for worship.

With more than 10 formal collaborations and countless informal partnerships, Kyle Nordine, LNHA, HSE, President and CEO, says, “It’s important that NRC offers a full range of opportunities for our residents to engage with the greater community. Northfield is rich with so many educational and experienced people and organizations. We have the immense privilege of partnering with them to make NRC the best it can be, enrich our residents’ lives and strengthen the fabric of the Northfield community, all at the same time.”

This story is from the March 2018 issue of Northfield Retirement Community's newsletter, NRC Insights. Read the full issue here.