Navigating the Next Chapter

When most people hear the terms Senior Living Community or Retirement Residence, they immediately picture a sterile, lonely and institutional environment. Thankfully due to the growing senior population, we are beginning to step away from the dreaded “nursing home” and into a new way of senior living.  Today’s Senior Living Communities are catering to the discerning Baby Boomer who wants a higher standard of care, which includes an active lifestyle and intellectually stimulating programming.
 
These days more and more seniors are becoming proactive and beginning the transition at earlier stages of retirement, some even starting in their 60’s! They are making the choice to move into Independent Living, where they can still travel and participate in all the activities that they love without all of the worry, hassle, and upkeep that come with a regular home. Rather than waiting until their health begins to deteriorate and the choice is no longer theirs, seniors are choosing the Independent Living lifestyle because they want to increase their longevity and improve their overall health and well-being.
 
One of my ‘Renewed Living’ clients put it best when she said "People used to think of senior living communities as a place you go to die, but now they are a place you go to really live!”  Her and her sister decided to be proactive and begin researching what is out there in the way of Independent Living, so I began assisting them on this journey back in late October 2019.

Throughout their search they were pleasantly surprised by how spacious the condos in these communities are, and by all the many amenities that they have to offer. For example- roof top garden/patios for BBQ’s and events, fully equipped gyms, libraries, large hair salons & spas and art rooms. Some of the places they toured even have demonstration kitchens for cooking classes, large lecture halls for University courses and private dining rooms for hosting private functions.

They also noted that the monthly calendars have quite an array of activities to cater to all interests. Some of these activities include, Mindfulness & Meditation, Yoga, trips to Victoria, and shopping at Granville Island to name a few. One of the Communities they visited was located right on the campus of the University of British Columbia, which means all the residents who live there get to take advantage of the UBC programs. Some of these programs include, the Vancouver Institute Lectures, UBC Operas, and forest walks, etc.

Another thing the sisters were very pleased with was the quality of the meals, “It was like dining in a 5-star restaurant! I must say, the food was beyond our expectations!” One of the sisters explains. Both remarked that they could definitely see themselves living happily and comfortably in one of these communities.

The two sisters’ advice for anyone who might be feeling skeptical or fearful about the idea of transitioning into a Senior Living Community, is to get out there and see what all your options are, even if you are at the stage of requiring assistance or care support. In a community you aren’t alone or isolated, instead you have a group of people living and sharing common amenities. 

“There is companionship in whatever you do, to us taking part in a variety of activities with others who share common interests, is more fun than doing them on your own.”

In conclusion, the Sisters’ believe that in a Senior Living Community, one’s life is being enriched since there are so many interesting and varied activities you can participate in, all while making new friends. When a person is happy and active, their longevity is ultimately increased because they are healthier. 

Whether you are fully independent or require assistance, there are so many options out there that you never know what you might find!

When most people hear the terms Senior Living Community or Retirement Residence, they immediately picture a sterile, lonely and institutional environment. Thankfully due to the growing senior population, we are beginning to step away from the dreaded “nursing home” and into a new way of senior living.  Today’s Senior Living Communities are catering to the discerning Baby Boomer who wants a higher standard of care, which includes an active lifestyle and intellectually stimulating programming.
 
These days more and more seniors are becoming proactive and beginning the transition at earlier stages of retirement, some even starting in their 60’s! They are making the choice to move into Independent Living, where they can still travel and participate in all the activities that they love without all of the worry, hassle, and upkeep that come with a regular home. Rather than waiting until their health begins to deteriorate and the choice is no longer theirs, seniors are choosing the Independent Living lifestyle because they want to increase their longevity and improve their overall health and well-being.
 
One of my ‘Renewed Living’ clients put it best when she said "People used to think of senior living communities as a place you go to die, but now they are a place you go to really live!”  Her and her sister decided to be proactive and begin researching what is out there in the way of Independent Living, so I began assisting them on this journey back in late October 2019.

Throughout their search they were pleasantly surprised by how spacious the condos in these communities are, and by all the many amenities that they have to offer. For example- roof top garden/patios for BBQ’s and events, fully equipped gyms, libraries, large hair salons & spas and art rooms. Some of the places they toured even have demonstration kitchens for cooking classes, large lecture halls for University courses and private dining rooms for hosting private functions.

They also noted that the monthly calendars have quite an array of activities to cater to all interests. Some of these activities include, Mindfulness & Meditation, Yoga, trips to Victoria, and shopping at Granville Island to name a few. One of the Communities they visited was located right on the campus of the University of British Columbia, which means all the residents who live there get to take advantage of the UBC programs. Some of these programs include, the Vancouver Institute Lectures, UBC Operas, and forest walks, etc.

Another thing the sisters were very pleased with was the quality of the meals, “It was like dining in a 5-star restaurant! I must say, the food was beyond our expectations!” One of the sisters explains. Both remarked that they could definitely see themselves living happily and comfortably in one of these communities.

The two sisters’ advice for anyone who might be feeling skeptical or fearful about the idea of transitioning into a Senior Living Community, is to get out there and see what all your options are, even if you are at the stage of requiring assistance or care support. In a community you aren’t alone or isolated, instead you have a group of people living and sharing common amenities. 

“There is companionship in whatever you do, to us taking part in a variety of activities with others who share common interests, is more fun than doing them on your own.”

In conclusion, the Sisters’ believe that in a Senior Living Community, one’s life is being enriched since there are so many interesting and varied activities you can participate in, all while making new friends. When a person is happy and active, their longevity is ultimately increased because they are healthier. 

Whether you are fully independent or require assistance, there are so many options out there that you never know what you might find!