The debut of the television show “The Golden Bachelor” last year proved to be a ratings hit, attracting rapt audiences to watch every week as 72-year-old Gerry Turner become the first “golden” bachelor or bachelorette to pursue romance on the popular reality series. Residents in Sagora Senior Living communities were among those transfixed by the show, and lively, well-attended watch parties of episodes were common in the communities.
“There’s been huge interest in seniors and their dating lives because of ‘The Golden Bachelor,’” said Celeste Salinas, social media manager for Sagora Senior Living.
As a way of leaning into the fun of the Golden Bachelor and putting its own spin on it, Sagora staged Sagora Silver Bachelor and Sagora Silver Bachelorette competitions. Each of the 62 Sagora communities across the country nominated a bachelor and bachelorette for the contests and those nominations were narrowed down to a set of finalists in each category. Sagora shared finalists’ biographies and photos on its blog and opened online voting around the country.
The Silver Bachelor competition was held in September, and the Silver Bachelorette contest followed in December. Engagement was very high with more than 2,000 votes for the Silver Bachelor contest and more than 3,000 votes for the Silver Bachelorette. The winner of the Bachelor contest was Frank of Ansel Park Independent Living in Rocklin, California, and Dorothy of Bristol Park at Eagle Mountain in Fort Worth, Texas, won the Bachelorette contest.
“An opportunity like this allows residents to celebrate their accomplishments and unique qualities and support their peers, as well as bringing positivity to the community,” Salinas said. “It also engages friends and family in the voting process and builds bridges between generations, contributing to the overall enjoyment of everybody. Everybody was very involved – from our home office to families commenting on the blogs.”
Sagora’s Silver Bachelor and Silver Bachelorette contests are among the many inventive ways that senior living communities are finding to celebrate romance among their residents. Never are those celebrations more common than around Valentine’s Day, when love after all is in the air.
“Valentine’s Day amplifies love, and anytime we can celebrate those strong connections we are showing what senior living is truly all about – community and togetherness,” said Dori Ray, corporate director of vibrant living for Brightview Senior Living.
Brightview celebrates that ‘love is alive’
Brightview Senior Living communities have been hosting a variety of events and activities centered around couples and romance this month. For instance, Brightview Crofton Riverwalk was scheduled to hold a Mardi Gras parade on Feb. 13, and couples in the community were set to lead the parade on a special float. Meanwhile, Brightview Towson hosted a Sweethearts Dance with live entertainment, a sweetheart wall and a photo matching game with older photos of some of the couples. Several communities, including Brightview Dulles Corner and Brightview Lake Tappan, planned wedding photo displays, and Brightview Mays Chapel created a slideshow featuring community members sharing what love means to them. In addition, Brightview created a Kiss Cam video to share on social media.
Ray said Valentine’s Day offers an ideal opportunity for senior living communities to celebrate couples and romance.
“It is more than valuable, it is vital to show that love is alive,” Ray said. “Emotional connections and companionship don’t change just because someone is considered ‘old.’ For those living in a senior community it is not their last chapter – just the next one. How wonderful to celebrate couples that have been together most of their lives, celebrate their commitment, their dedication. And how wonderful to celebrate new couples, new connections and new relationships. People say ‘Ah, young love.’ We say ‘Ah, young at heart love.’ We even have a couple that met at Brightview and got married.”
Although couples receive a lot of attention, Ray emphasized that Valentine’s Day is not just for couples, and Brightview strives to involve everyone in events and activities.
“Anyone and everyone can be shown some love on Valentine’s Day,” Ray said. “Cozy dinners for two, spending time with friends and family, even ‘Galentine’s Day’ are all celebrated at Brightview. Acknowledging that some have loved ones no longer with us, and ensuring all of our residents are shown some extra love on a holiday like this one shows our residents how much we truly care and love them.”
A Silver success
The Silver Bachelor and Silver Bachelorette contests emphasized romance among those who are not part of a couple. As the Silver Bachelorette winner, Dorothy, 89, won a romantic dinner for two with a chosen guest and a movie night. She also received a bouquet of red roses delivered to her community that symbolized the joy and celebration of her win and “the quest for love,” according to Sagora.
Dorothy said she enjoyed the competition, particularly the opportunity for her family and friends to vote for her.
“The experience was fun and exciting!” Dorothy said. “I was shocked when I found out I had won.”
She said the Silver Bachelorette contest was emblematic of her time in the Bristol Park at Eagle Mountain community.
“I love this community and the people in it,” Dorothy said. “Just like this experience, it is fun to live here.”
Taylor Marcoux, lifestyle director for Bristol Park at Eagle Mountain, said the community’s embrace of the competition and the chance to support one of their peers was evident.
“Dorothy and the community were overflowing with excitement as they eagerly embraced the opportunity to participate in this program,” Marcoux said. “It sparked a palpable sense of competition among them, each individual eager to see someone from their community clinch the prestigious honor. This spirited engagement not only underscored their collective enthusiasm but also highlighted their desire for their community to emerge victorious.”
Marcoux said the Silver Bachelor and Silver Bachelorette programs allowed Bristol Park at Eagle Mountain to shine a spotlight “on one of our esteemed residents” and the event “perfectly embodies our resident-first philosophy” and commitment to program for every need.
“This particular initiative, with its distinctive blend of fun and excitement, injected a vibrant energy into our community, resonating deeply with our core values and enhancing the overall resident experience,” Marcoux said.
Salinas said the nominees feel special and celebrated, particularly since their accomplishments and attributes are highlighted through their nominations, which are written by community team members. Salinas said the Silver Bachelor and Silver Bachelorette competitions promoted social interaction, involvement and a sense of community, and the residents responded positively, enjoying the opportunity to celebrate their peers both in their community and in others.
“The residents get to see how they are perceived by the community,” Salinas said. “A lot of them are described as the social butterfly of the community, the light in their community, the one that brings the energy and brings the fun to events. It helps to highlight what a vibrant, socially active environment our communities bring.”
Marcoux said the Silver Bachelor and Silver Bachelorette contests helped to strengthen engagement in the Bristol Park at Eagle Mountain community.
“Thanks to its thrilling appeal, this program succeeded in fostering community unity,” Marcoux said. “With enthusiastic participation, both building team members and residents alike eagerly cast their votes for Dorothy via online platforms, igniting a sense of camaraderie and engagement.”
Strengthening relationships and deepening engagement
Some senior living communities seek to tell stories about their resident couples both to market their communities and to celebrate their residents internally. This month, for instance, Sagora is highlighting several couples from their communities, promoting their stories via their websites, blog, social media, email blasts and media pitches. Couples include those like Rocky and Helen Lee of Bristol Park at Amarillo. Helen currently resides in memory care in the community, and Rocky lives in assisted living. As Sagora’s snapshot story about them shares, Rocky visits his wife often and eats with her two or three times a day. The couple still likes to hold hands.
Similarly, Brightview recently profiled a couple who resides at one of its communities who have been married for 22 years – he’s 107, and she’s 98 – which was picked up by the Boston Globe. The Carrollton Senior Living in New Orleans shared the story of a resident couple, Michael and Margaret Dolan, who have been married for 62 years. Michael, who is independent, lives in assisted living with Margaret so that he can be with her. “He’s doing that for me. He stays with me to help me and encourage me and be with me,” Margaret said in a press release, which was accompanied by photos of them today and on their wedding day.
When communities put a spotlight on couples and romance – whether it’s through a dance or a blog post or a bachelorette contest – they strengthen the connections that residents feel for each other and for their community.
“Seeing and hearing the stories of how their neighbors met, how long they have been together, and sharing wedding photos deepen the relationships,” Ray said. “Reminiscing about shared experiences is so valuable.”
Ultimately, Ray said celebrating couples and love means “encouraging connection and engagement,” a key facet and benefit of senior living.
“The benefit of living in a community like Brightview is our residents don’t have to be alone or isolated,” Ray said. “Isolation leads to a decline in cognition, and a decline in physical health. Communal living, new relationships and new connections improve your emotional well-being – you simply feel better.”
