The differences between men and women are well documented with the conversation seemingly as old as life itself. In recent years, however, science is catching up.

When a professor of medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital suggested that Every Cell has a Sex, it caught the attention of many. This idea extended the topic beyond equal rights and into the field of medicine to emphasize how biological differences between the genders cannot be ignored, especially when it comes to treating disease.

From the baby blue or pale pink of our very first onesie to the vitamin supplements our doctor recommends, gender differences have influenced the way in which we interact with the world. Now, too, the way in which we care for those with Alzheimer’s disease acknowledges the fundamental differences between the genders.

It has long been known that women have longer lifespans than men do and experience Alzheimer’s disease differently and with greater frequency than their male counterparts. Women are even at greater risk of attention deficit than men.

These statistical phenomena are all related. Two-thirds of clinically diagnosed cases of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are women, according to a study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, with the longer female lifespan cited as the primary reason for the difference.

Scientists are now shedding light on important differences between the sexes around the beneficial effects of socialization as well. Recent scientific studies underscored that, not only do women find social interaction more rewarding than men, but they are more sensitive to the rewarding effects of oxytocin. The study went on to discover that females find same-sex social relationships to be more rewarding than males do.

Exclusively Female Memory Care

The science behind gender differences offers profound implications for the future of memory care and is the driving force behind an innovation called Serenades for her. This new and exclusively female memory care community is now available at Serenades Memory Care communities in Central Florida.

Serenades for her emphasizes a woman’s need for the utmost in privacy and comfort in daily living. Combined with robust social programming and activities, residents will experience a newfound sense of sisterhood, enduring friendships, and mutual support.

Women and Social Behavior

The opportunity for more woman-to-woman relationships can be life affirming, especially to those with dementia.

Sociotropy, a word you don’t very often, is defined as a person’s tendency to value interpersonal relationships. Women score higher than men on the sociotropy index scale.

Even as dementia impairs memory and cognition, the human need to form meaningful emotional connections persists, particularly among women. Designed to accommodate a woman’s desire for socialization, female-exclusive memory care promotes social interaction and engagement while focusing on female preferences, including art and music, food, games, and group exercise.

All-female neighborhoods in memory care communities also have beneficial effects on family members. Dementia behavior can be difficult to predict, and new relationships formed in a community can sometimes be confusing. The women-only neighborhood concept simplifies life for all, providing a greater degree of gender-specific privacy while giving family members increased peace of mind.

Women and Design Preferences

Have you ever wondered why girls tend to like the color pink? While cultural bias is certainly involved, color preferences may be also rooted in science and evolution.

An article published in goodhousekeeping.com examined the body of work on the topic of gender color preferencesonly to conclude both biological and cultural influences may be involved.

Science and stereotypes aside, most people agree, pink is, well, pretty, and the all-female neighborhoods at Serenades for her feature a pastel color palette to evoke a sense of comfort and serenity. Visual enhancements to flooring and décor are also used to soften architectural features and promote tranquility.

Amenities, too, have a distinctly feminine appeal. Serenades for her all-female memory care incorporates a spa for moments of pure luxuriance. An on-site salon specializes in women’s beauty services. And a secure, outdoor courtyard and garden spaces enable communion with nature.

Gender Differences: Nature or Nurture?

It’s commonly accepted that how we are nurtured as children is responsible for most conventional gender-based beliefs. In academics, these differences are widely documented by anthropologists. Known as gender ideology, conventional male and female roles are cultural concepts invented by humans. What is traditionally “masculine” and “feminine,” for example, is largely shaped by culture.

Still, the literature on gender differences has been widely examined by scholars and remains divided. Research shows biological components are at least in part responsible and points to differences in aspects of language production, comprehension and pragmatics. More specifically, women are more likely than men to use language to form social relationships and react differently than men to social stimuli. Scientists have also linked structural differences in the brain to differences in cognition, emotional control and neurological disorders.

Whether nature or nurture, male or female, the advantages of socialization among older adults is widely supported in research. As we age, our contact with others becomes limited and increases our risk of social isolation and associated health conditions. Increased opportunities to socialize in a memory care community lowers the risk of developing chronic disease associated with social withdrawal. Meaningful social activities such as those offered at Serenades Memory Care Assisted Living communities give older adults a sense of purpose, which is linked to a healthier immune system.