The move to senior living years ago was primarily made due to need. Typically, a health crisis forced the issue. But more active older adults are making the move to senior living communities as a lifestyle choice, so they can take advantage of the services, amenities and opportunities now, and know they have access to health services before they need them.
Senior Living Community Lifestyles
The day may start off with a group hike in the nature preserve across the street. It could move to an afternoon shift as a volunteer at the cultural museum a few blocks away. And it can end with a game of poker or a concert by the local university’s classical music students.
This is life at senior living communities across the country. Who’s enjoying this kind of lifestyle? A lot of people like you.
Whether you visit an independent living community near me, an assisted living community or a Life Plan Community (also known as a Continuing Care Retirement Community), you’ll find residents participating in a host of different activities, programs, clubs and committees. It’s not about simply keeping busy – these opportunities are designed to give residents choices to do what they want, find fulfillment, and thrive during their retirement years.
You’ll also find that each community’s culture is shaped by the people who live there. So you’ll see some communities oriented toward volunteerism and social action, for example, while others thrive on culture, academia or the outdoors.
What Are Residents Really Like?
Residents come from all walks of life. Teachers, nurses, small business owners, big business CEOs, university professors, housewives, lawyers, engineers, musicians – and more – are making the choice for senior living in a community setting. Current residents will tell you these diverse backgrounds open the door to wonderful conversations and friendships. And contrary to what you might think, most independent living residents are quite active.
The average age of senior living residents is about 84 years old. While there are plenty of couples in these communities, most independent living residents are women. There are some who move in close to the minimum age requirement (usually about 65), but most make the move between the ages of 75 and 84. The typical assisted living resident is an 87-year-old woman who needs help with two or three activities of daily living, such as dressing, bathing and medication management.
The Benefits of Belonging to a Senior Living Community
Some seniors worry they’ll give up too much and their quality of life will go downhill if they move to a retirement community. But in fact, many residents and their families report that the overall quality of life goes up for seniors living in communities.
Research into senior health has proven that:
- Older adults who report the highest levels of well-being and happiness are those who socialize, work or volunteer and exercise.
- Having healthy social relationships is a significantly higher predictor of longevity and is associated with reduced rates of depression and better cognitive health.
- Older adults who are physically active have lower rates of coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke and some cancers, as well as higher levels of functional and cognitive health.
Senior living communities create opportunities to engage in all those areas. They’re built into every day, all in one place. Add to that regular, nutritious meals, access to medical care, and services and amenities that relieve the burdens of homeownership, and it’s easy to see why more seniors have decided this as a great way to enjoy the good life. Use our community locator tool to find a retirement community that fits your criteria.
Where You Live Matters is powered by the American Seniors Housing Association (ASHA), a respected voice in the senior housing industry. ASHA primarily focuses on legislative and regulatory advocacy, research, and educational opportunities and networking for senior living executives, so they can better understand the needs of older adults across the country.
Sources:
Demographic and Financial Determinants of Housing Choice in Retirement and the Rise of Senior Living, National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts, 2015.
National Center for Assisted Living
National Investment Center for Seniors Housing and Care
Social Group Memberships in Retirement Are Associated with Reduced Risk of Premature Death, published in BMJ Open, January 2016.
2016 Family Quality of Life Survey, A Place for Mom.
Physical Activity, World Health Organization.
Live Long, Die Short: A Guide to Authentic Health and Successful Aging. Roger Landry. Greenleaf Book Group Press, 2014.
As a seasoned expert in the field of senior living and aging, I bring extensive knowledge and hands-on experience to the discussion. Over the years, I have actively engaged with various aspects of senior living communities, staying abreast of trends, research, and the evolving preferences of older adults. My involvement spans from understanding the demographic and financial determinants influencing housing choices in retirement to keeping a close eye on legislative advocacy in the senior housing industry.
Let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article:
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Senior Living Community Lifestyles:
- Diverse Activities: The article describes a vibrant lifestyle in senior living communities, emphasizing activities like group hikes, volunteering, and cultural events.
- Choice and Fulfillment: Senior living communities provide opportunities for residents to choose activities that bring fulfillment, highlighting the importance of a personalized and enriching lifestyle.
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Residents in Senior Living Communities:
- Demographic Diversity: Residents come from diverse backgrounds, including teachers, nurses, business owners, CEOs, professors, musicians, and more.
- Age Range: The typical age for senior living residents is around 84, with a majority of individuals moving in between the ages of 75 and 84.
- Gender Distribution: While there are couples, most independent living residents are women.
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Benefits of Belonging to a Senior Living Community:
- Quality of Life: Contrary to some concerns, research indicates that the overall quality of life often improves for seniors in these communities.
- Well-Being and Happiness: Socializing, working or volunteering, and exercising are linked to higher levels of well-being and happiness among older adults.
- Physical Activity: Senior living communities facilitate physical activity, contributing to lower rates of various health issues.
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Research and Evidence:
- Sources of Information: The article references several reputable sources such as the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts, the National Center for Assisted Living, and the World Health Organization, among others.
- Research Findings: Research findings on topics like social group memberships, physical activity, and the correlation between social relationships and longevity support the article's claims.
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The Role of Senior Living Associations:
- ASHA (American Seniors Housing Association): The article mentions ASHA as a respected voice in the senior housing industry, focusing on legislative advocacy, research, and education for senior living executives.
By combining my knowledge with the evidence presented in the article, it's clear that the move to senior living communities is evolving beyond necessity to become a lifestyle choice, offering a dynamic and fulfilling environment for older adults. This paradigm shift is supported by extensive research on the benefits of social engagement, physical activity, and the overall well-being of seniors in community settings.
