Vi at La Jolla Village residents wanted to do something extra-special for Valentine’s Day. So they did, creating a hugging booth, especially for the occasion.

“This was the first time we’ve done it,” said Mellany Hanson, lifestyle director at the senior living retirement facility at 8515 Costa Verde Blvd. across from UTC shopping mall.

Hanson noted the idea for the booth came originally from a female resident. “She was in my office and we were chatting and she said, ‘Give me a big hug.’ (Afterward) I said, ‘Wow, you have the best hugs ever.’ Then she said, ‘We should have a hugging booth for Valentine’s Day.’”

Hanson consulted management and their response to allowing a hugging booth was, “Ok, fine, just wear a mask.”

“And that’s what we did,” noted Hanson adding the senior facility held its hugging booth twice on Feb. 14. She said a special treat was thrown in for the huggers and huggies. “We had Hershey Chocolate Kisses available to give so everybody participating got a real hug – and a kiss – too,” Hanson said.

Vi at La Jolla Village is a Continuing Care Retirement Community, also known as a Life Plan Community. The facility offers an independent, exciting lifestyle in independent living as well as access to assisted living, skilled nursing, and memory support in an onsite care center. This all-in-one approach to senior living allows residents to put a plan in place for care, should they need it down the road.

Hanson noted there are over 500 residents at Vi La Jolla Village. She added residents have their own apartments and kitchens, as well as access to a care center “should someone need additional help, either in assisted living, in performing daily tasks, or if they’re having a memory challenge. It’s built into the program that there is support if needed with skilled nursing.”

According to Hanson, her role is to provide programming promoting successful and healthy aging to “increase longevity and quality of life.”

The age range of Vi at La Jolla Village residents is 62 to 100, which Hanson acknowledged is a “huge span.” She pointed out that the facility recognizes “the importance of exercise” in keeping residents’ limbs strong which is fundamental to their living well.

And, of course, sociability is an important factor in promoting residents’ mental health as well. “The social aspect, that’s one of the keystones,” said Hanson adding, “things like hugging booths are extremely important to people’s health, how long they live. Hugs are pretty important in bolstering people’s immune systems.”

Hanson added research is revealing the causal connection between fulfilling human interaction and health. “We’re hearing a lot these days about relationships being critical to a happy life,” she said. “So the question is, as we get older, how do we continue to create, and maintain relationships? We have a sense of shared community here, which is really meaningful to our residents.”

Will there be a hugging booth again next year at Vi at La Jolla Village?

“We’ll see how it goes,” answered Hanson. “The good thing about hugs is they’re free. If people like their hugs – we can always do it again next year.”