Moving into an assisted living community can be a difficult time. Leaving your home of many years can cause sadness or worry. However, the move to an assisted living community can also help you develop your walk with God. Assisted living communities under the Bethesda Senior Living Communities umbrella are faith-based, with many offering on-site chapels and spiritual care. Embracing those amenities and exploring other opportunities can help you strengthen your walk with God.
If your goal is to develop your walk with God, look for faith-based assisted living communities where you want to live. You'll find a supportive community that helps you grow your faith. You'll also usually get amenities that help support your spiritual journey, such as chapels or on-site chaplains. Other residents also typically have strong faith, which means you will have more support and be surrounded by people who are also working on their walk with God.
One of the benefits of assisted living communities is the easy access to on-site amenities. If the assisted living community you choose has an on-site chapel, get involved there as soon as you move in. Check the schedule to find out what types of services and activities the chapel hosts, and join in those worship opportunities. Visiting the chapel throughout the week for daily prayers or just to feel closer to God can also help you in your walk. Don't be afraid to utilize the spiritual services available through the community chaplain.
Assisted living communities are often in the heart of larger communities, which means you have access to other nearby churches. If your assisted living community doesn't have a chapel or you want something different, explore the immediate area to find a church that feels like home. Finding this faith-based support near your assisted living community can help you settle in better and maintain or strengthen your relationship with God.
Living in an assisted living community gives you access to various groups within the larger community. You might find informal groups that meet for conversation, hobbies or other interests. Bible study groups can be beneficial to help you in your walk with God. Meeting with these groups lets you learn from your peers, share ideas and grow in your faith together.
If your assisted living community doesn't have a faith-based group that matches your interests, consider organizing your own. For example, you might start a faith-based book club or Bible study group with neighbors. This allows you to create a group that fits where you are now in your walk with God.
If you choose a faith-based community, you'll likely meet many other residents working on their walk with God. It's easier to strike up a conversation about faith when you have that in common. You're also in a similar place as many of your neighbors, with everyone in or near their retirement years and living in the same community.
You can start these conversations anywhere. The assisted living communities under the Bethesda Senior Living Communities umbrella offer many opportunities, such as enriching activities on-site and cultural outings in the community. Those interactions let you meet more of your neighbors and discuss faith topics. You can also bring a batch of cookies to a neighbor to introduce yourself and start a conversation.
Living a life of service can help deepen your faith. When you live in an assisted living community, you see selfless service in action from the staff. Choosing a faith-based community means you'll be surrounded by staff members who are also working on their faith. Seeing these things in action can inspire and encourage you to serve others in ways that work for you.
Living in an assisted living community doesn't have to limit what you do. You can find nearby charities and organizations that you can support through volunteering. This allows you to serve others much the same way Jesus lived his life. Encouraging other residents to join you or organizing a larger service project can strengthen your faith and build a stronger relationship with the others in your community.
Living in an assisted living community gives you the support you need while still maintaining your autonomy. Creating a daily routine that supports your walk with God can help strengthen your faith. The privacy of your assisted living apartment lets you pray, study the Bible and do other activities when you want. Keeping a faith journal can help you explore your relationship with God. You can also find spots on the beautifully landscaped grounds to pray or reflect on your faith. Get into a routine that takes advantage of these quiet moments as well as embraces the faith-supporting activities and amenities of the community to work on your faith every day.
