Take a Look at Today’s Senior Independent Living

By: VGFS
Monday, September 30, 2019

Today’s senior living communities are undergoing some amazing positive transformations. Gone are the days where the elderly were shuffled off to live in dark, depressing nursing homes.

Baby Boomers are now reaching retirement age at an unprecedented rate and they’re changing the face of senior living. In fact, the ranks of those age 65 and older are swelling by the thousands every day, so it’s not surprising that retirement communities are shifting rapidly in order to cater to this influential demographic. For today’s mature adults, retirement means new opportunities to enjoy freedom and independence.

Here are some of the clever trends that are changing the definition of senior living facilities.

Customized designs. With AARP reporting that a staggering 90 percent of today’s seniors want to age in place, comfort, style and a homey atmosphere are at the top of the list when for those checking out a potential residence at an independent or assisted living community. This means drab, sterile environments and cookie-cutter designs have to go. To help seniors retain a sense of independence and provide a comfortable living space they can make their own, many communities are now offering a variety of floor plans and allow residents to choose certain design aspects, such as countertops, paint colors, flooring and cabinetry.

Space for hobbies.  Newer senior housing projects are adding interior common areas for residents to pursue their hobbies and interests. There’s been an explosion in amenities such as woodshops, arts and crafts rooms, and spas. When research revealed that many men would miss tinkering in their garages, a senior apartment community in Texas decided to design a hobby and craft studio resembling a suburban residential garage. Adorned with workbenches, tools, automotive logos, tables and chairs, and even an adjoining patio, the garage has become a popular hangout among residents. At the Burbank Senior Arts Colony complex near Hollywood, the hallways are a rotating gallery, multiple studios are available for residents, a theater occupies the ground floor, and an elaborate sculpture garden sits in the rear courtyard.

Distinctive amenities. Located near Portland, Oregon, the Burnside is an award winning senior community that lies several miles from downtown. Because sought-after amenities were lacking in the area, the forward-thinking developer added a first-floor retail space that includes a café, convenience store, clothier, bookstore, pharmacy, hair salon, and a large patio that’s ideal for socializing. These businesses add a layer of “home” and enhance the feeling that residents live in a community, not just a basic senior facility.

Progressive memory care solutions.  As seniors live longer, they are more likely to experience cognitive disabilities. As a result, many senior housing projects are increasingly focused on providing suitable memory care units for those with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. In the past, memory care units were often dismal, claustrophobic spaces, but today’s environments include increased window sizes for natural light filtration and a variety of concealed advanced safety features to keep patients from wandering off the grounds. Designers are also taking into account the “sundowning effect”—the agitation that dementia sufferers often experience at sunset. Large windows can induce this unrest, so adjustable shades and lighting are used creatively to mitigate the impact.

Plentiful dining options. For modern-day seniors, the dining experience extends far beyond the stereotypical buffets and frozen dinners. Senior citizen homes are quickly realizing that their residents want higher quality food and more dining options. Many of them are now offering upscale dining experiences, complete with gourmet chefs and extensive menu choices. And whether it’s a social coffee hour in the morning or an afternoon happy hour complete with music and games, a growing number of senior communities also offer an abundance of social dining opportunities.

A focus on fitness. Staying healthy and fit is a priority for much of today’s mature population. They seek out communities that support the physical health of their residents through fitness classes and up-to-date exercise facilities. Cutting-edge workout equipment, swimming pools, well-kept walking paths, and a variety of group exercise classes are the norm for many of today’s senior living communities.

Opportunities for lifelong learning. The vast majority of seniors are looking for a vibrant lifestyle that keeps them active and engaged, both physically and mentally. In response to the growing demand for continuing education, a Quaker-inspired senior housing developer has built several senior living communities near institutions of higher learning, including Cornell University, Oberlin College, and Denison University. Residents can readily attend lectures at the nearby campuses, and numerous classes are often offered on the property, as well. At Lasell Village in Newton, Massachusetts, its 250 residents participate in hundreds of on-site courses, lectures, cultural events, and fitness classes throughout the year. Continuing to learn keeps the mind active, nurtures curiosity and creativity, and creates opportunities for intergenerational friendships to form.

Today’s seniors are staying healthier and more independent than ever before. All across the nation, smart senior community owners and operators are realizing that their potential residents don’t want a one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to retirement living. Offering customizable, home-like atmospheres and plentiful opportunities for engagement, senior independent living has never been more appealing.  

If you have questions about senior living communities or are in need of resources in the area, please contact us. Our compassionate, caring team is always happy to help.

About Vaughn Greene Funeral Services: For more than 20 years, Vaughn Greene Funeral Services has been providing a ministry of care to Baltimore’s African American community. As a leading local, minority- and family-owned provider, we promise to provide our highest level of service and respect to families who entrust us to honor their loved one. For more information, please call us at 410.655.0015 or visit us online at https://vaughncgreene.com/.

Leave a comment
Name*:
Email:
Comment*:
Please enter the numbers and letters you see in the image. Note that the case of the letters entered matters.

Comments

Please wait

Previous Posts

Saying Goodbye: Six Things to Know and Do When a Loved One is Passing Away

Saying goodbye to a loved one passing away is undeniably hard, but your reassurance can help you both find peace. While final farewells are never easy, there are things you can do to ease the pain...

What Should You Do with Your Departed Loved One's Belongings?

When you are bereaved, sorting through your loved one’s belongings can be especially challenging. Losing a beloved family member or friend is one of life’s most difficult trials. There are many de...

Mental Health Stigma in the Black Community, How Far Have We Come?

The US Department of Health & Human Services reports that African American adults are 20 percent more likely to report serious mental health distress than their white adult counterparts. Wit...

It’s Stroke Awareness Month. Here are Seven Important Facts Everyone Should Know.

May is National Stroke Awareness Month, so it’s the perfect time to learn about this leading cause of death and disability in America. Strokes or brain attacks are quite common, affecting an estim...

Can’t Sleep at Night? Here are Seven Surprising Reasons Why

When you can’t sleep, everything feels like a struggle. If your slumber is lacking, the reasons behind it might surprise you. Sleep deprivation can cause a range of problems, ranging from mild irr...

Senior Home Safety: Seven Essential Things to Know

Today, one in six Americans is age 65 or older. By the year 2050, the U.S. senior population is expected to rise from 48 million to an astonishing 88 million. Worldwide, those aged 80 and above are...

Seasonal Depression, also known as Winter Blues: Is it Just Depression?

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a form of depression also known as seasonal depression or winter depression.   People with SAD experience mood changes and symptoms similar to depressi...

Six Inspiring Outdoor Memorial Ideas to Honor Your Departed Loved One

From simple stones to elaborate gardens, there is no shortage of meaningful outdoor memorial ideas to pay tribute to a loved one who has passed on. When you’re deeply grieved, finding a unique way...

How Much Do You Know About Multiple Sclerosis? Seven Important Facts About this Neurological Disease

March is Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month. Learn about the neurological disease that affects one person every hour in the U.S. A neurological disease that disrupts the flow of information betwee...

Legally Scattering Ashes: Keep These Six Important Facts in Mind

Legally scattering ashes isn’t complicated but it does require some research and planning. The scattering of a loved one’s ashes can bring peace and closure to surviving family members. For many, ...