You’ve worked hard your entire life, and now you’re ready to enjoy retirement–including a hassle-free lifestyle devoid of a home to maintain or meals to have to prepare. But these ideals are more than having basic needs met. Many seniors are choosing to move to senior living not because they have to, but because they want to!
Deciding where to spend your golden years is more than just having a roof over your head; it means a lifestyle marked by comfort and convenience wrapped in choice, luxury, and amenities that go beyond what is expected. As senior living has evolved through the years, so have amenities that include housing choices, dining options, and luxurious conveniences.
Housing choices – For seniors who are looking at independent living, there are many options when it comes to housing arrangements. Some communities offer a campus-style layout with cottages that feel more like a condominium with multiple bedrooms, bathrooms, and even a kitchenette. Other communities accommodate residents in one building–either on one level or multiple levels–that includes common spaces and apartments or suites, especially on the assisted living side. These communities are designed with seniors in mind, and can offer a variety of floor plans to suit nearly any budget and style.
Dining options – Passengers on cruise ships benefit from many different types of dining venues and food choices–and senior living communities are no different. Residents can dine at their leisure at smaller bistros or cafés where you can get smaller meals to-go in addition to full-course meals from the restaurant-style main dining room. Better yet, many independent and assisted living communities offer a private dining area for families to dine together when visiting their loved one.
Luxurious conveniences – Who doesn’t love a visit to the spa? Or how about the convenience of a barber shop/beauty salon just a short walk away from your home? What about a quick dip in the pool on a hot summer afternoon? These amenities are just a few of the conveniences that many seniors enjoy and are available at most independent living and assisted living communities. Other luxuries offered on-site at many locations include:
- Laundry & Linen service
- Activity program
- Housekeeping
- Entertainment theater
- Library and computer lab
- Fitness center
- Transportation to local restaurants, shopping and medical appointments.
Independent living and most assisted living communities offer attractive amenities for residents, but before you make a decision on where to move, it’s important to consider your lifestyle relative to the expectations you have for your new community. Deciding what amenities are important to you as you research different options can help you achieve your goals in preparation for this next phase of life.