How Senior Living Communities Encourage Purpose and Meaning

For many residents, a move to a senior living community becomes a chance to rediscover purpose, joy, and meaningful connection. Through enriching programs, creative outlets, volunteer opportunities, and resident-led initiatives, today’s senior living communities are helping older adults thrive in ways that go far beyond comfort and care.

At Ivy Park at Murrieta, in Murrieta, California, resident Sharon, found purpose by running an on-site store—a hub of convenience, conversation, and connection. Stocked with everyday essentials like tissues, toothbrushes, greeting cards, and cozy blankets, Sharon’s store is a beloved staple. 

“We offer things they like and that are useful for them,” she explains. “It’s also convenient for residents who don’t drive anymore, but they feel some sense of freedom that they can get things they need without leaving home.” 

For Sharon, it’s about more than just the items she carries. “Running the store brings me joy. It gives me social interaction, a feeling of being needed, and a chance to meet new people—even visiting family members.” 

She especially values the simple moments, like seeing a fellow resident light up after picking out a new blanket. “That makes it all worth it,” she says.

Creativity is another powerful pathway to purpose. For Marcia, a senior living resident in Fullerton, California, flower arranging has become a cherished way to give back and connect with others.

 “I love seeing visitors at the community be wowed by the arrangements on all of the tables,” she said. “It gives us a sense that we’re really helping out.” 

Along the way, Marcia’s craft has also sprouted new friendships: “I’ve made lots of friends here in the community because of it. It’s been wonderful meeting people here—nothing brings people together like flowers.” Her favorite flowers? “Roses—all types of roses. My mother loved baby roses, too.”

In Redding, California, 89‑year‑old Judy offers another bloom‑filled story of purpose. She grows show‑stopping dahlias and tends to vegetables and flowers in her community’s garden. Judy’s gardening isn’t just a pastime—it’s a living contribution.

 “I love that I can plant something as tiny as a seed and be part of bringing it to life,” said Judy, who cultivates seedlings in her apartment window and then transplants them into the garden.

The expansive garden Judy oversees creates beauty and gathers residents–nurturing flowers, vegetables, and human connection. 

Many of the activities that make life so vibrant in senior living aren’t staff‑planned—they’re resident‑led. Book clubs spark thoughtful discussion, while spirited blackjack tournaments create laughter‑filled afternoons. Whether organizing volunteer projects or gathering neighbors for a game night, these peer‑driven programs empower residents to share their passions, build community, and shape their own daily rhythms. 

Purpose and meaning take many forms, and the most thoughtfully designed senior living communities create space for all of them. If you’d like to discover how our enrichment programs empower residents to live with vitality and intention, we invite you to schedule a visit to an Ivy Living community near you and experience the warmth of community life firsthand.