One of our highest priorities at Sunset Communities is preventing those who live here from experiencing the loneliness prevalent among society’s older adults. Toward that end, we nurture companionship by fostering close and continuing contact between residents and people inside and outside our buildings. But in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) have issued restrictions that significantly limit visitation and group activities at senior living facilities.

Lovi and Dick have been married for 50 years. When they moved into The Woodlands, the couple decorated their 1,100-square-foot apartment with belongings that reflect a lifetime together: favorite furniture pieces, treasured artwork, and cherished souvenirs from past travels. They are as comfortable in their personalized living space as they are with each other.

For the most part, older adults often want to drive for the same reason sixteen-year-olds do: driving provides them independence. As they age, older adults worry about relinquishing their freedom. Indeed, 53 percent of older adults are concerned about remaining independent, while 26 percent say that losing independence is their greatest fear.

Whenever her life gets challenging, Janet Sulewski takes a deep breath and tells herself, “It’s all good!” The pop-culture phrase reminds Janet of her overall good fortune and empowers her to move past any current problems.