Significance is key to happiness in later life – the results are in!
At Sanctuary Care, we are always looking for ways to further enrich the lives of our residents, so embarked on an independent study of 2,000 UK adults.
We discovered that Britons’ sense of self-worth bottoms out around 58 but bounces back aged 70. The results back up what we know when it comes to delivering care to our residents, that feeling a sense of significance, as well as a sense of security, belonging, continuity, purpose, and achievement, are all key to feeling happy and fulfilled. And this is why we champion our residents having such an active role to play in the running of their care homes.
Just like Rosemary…
Rosemary (pictured left), moved to Orchard House Residential Care Home in Cambridgeshire five years ago, after becoming increasingly isolated at home. It wasn’t long before she became the home’s Resident Ambassador, a role which involves co-chairing residents’ meetings, providing feedback on everything from the menu to activities and helping new residents to settle in.
Rosemary said:
“At home I would sometimes spend a whole day, or several hours siting on my own. At Orchard House I’m never on my own, unless I wish to be. Being mentally active is so important to me - and exercise is everything. I keep myself fit and still try to do 10,000 steps a day.”
…and Marie!
For Marie (pictured right), who lives at Glenfairn House Care Home in Ayr, the secret to significance is found in socialising and mixing with other people. That is why Marie jumped at the chance to get involved with the home’s activities, introducing a new arts and crafts group, and helping to organise regular trips to a beautiful hotel with the other residents for coffee and cake.
Marie said: “I will try anything. I love mixing with people so really enjoy doing this, it makes me feel really good.”
Sarah Clarke-Kuehn, Chief Operating Officer – Sanctuary Care commented:
“The survey findings reinforce the importance of self-worth, demonstrating that our sense of significance isn’t simply defined our age, career, or aspirations, but by our relationships with loved ones, and being treated with kindness, respect, and dignity.
“At Sanctuary Care, we are passionate about enriching the lives of all of our residents, going beyond physical and emotional care needs to understand what it is that helps each individual to feel significant, happy and fulfilled whilst living within our homes.”
More about the survey results:
The survey points to work as one of the biggest culprits for draining people’s sense of worth (34 per cent), along with declining social lives (35 per cent).
An inability to affect politics (20 per cent), declining physical health (27 per cent), and a fear that their dreams will not come true (30 per cent) were also regularly cited by respondents.
The importance of self-worth is underestimated, with just 58 per cent of those surveyed aware that it can have physical effects on the body.
In fact, those who feel they don’t matter may have lower serotonin levels, further impacting on mood and anxiety. Studies have shown that feeling significant may even help people live longer[1].
Whilst people in their mid-20s feel most confident about their value to the world, the survey found that those approaching retirement age will experience a second wind.
One in five (21 per cent) respondents aged 65 and over claim their sense of importance has recovered in recent years and two-fifths (39 per cent) recognise their significance in life.
The survey also asked respondents which factors they believed were essential to feeling significant:
- Being treated with respect and dignity (65 per cent)
- Being listened to (60 per cent)
- Having a close bond with family members (49 per cent)
- Having close friends (48 per cent)
Find out more how we enrich lives.
