Baby boomers have always been trailblazers, and they are charting a new path in the senior living industry with their preferences and expectations for senior living communities. Baby boomers aren’t looking for cookie-cutter communities that take a one-size-fits-all approach to senior living. They value individualism, independence, and a healthier lifestyle. And independent living communities are answering their call with a wide range of amenities and services, a focus on wellness, personalized activities, and more.
Retiring baby boomers’ expectations are changing the senior living industry into a vibrant, enriching experience. Here’s how senior living is exceeding expectations and how you can be better prepared for the vibrant lifestyle that awaits you in a community.
How Senior Living Is Exceeding Retiring Baby Boomers’ Expectations
It all starts with researching the type of independent community you want and the amenities, activities, and services that communities offer. Gone are the days of as-is senior living communities. Today’s senior living communities provide retiring baby boomers with an elevated, built-in experience.
Get excited about independent living—we’re about to explore how communities are meeting these new expectations and what you can do to prepare.
A Rich Offering of Services, Amenities, and Activities
Independent living supports an active and enriching lifestyle with a wide range of services, amenities, and activities. Communities offer opportunities to continually mentally challenge yourself to learn new things and improve cognitive function.
Depending on the community, residents may have opportunities to attend educational lectures, participate in discussions, take up or hone a craft, and even discover a new skill or hobby. Independent living communities generally have a full calendar of activities planned each month to help residents lead a vibrant lifestyle of their choosing.
Exceptional independent living communities even personalize activities according to their residents’ wants and needs. At Cedarhurst, we believe your community should be as unique as you, and our foundation for this is our Living TRUE℠ innovative life enrichment program.
Living TRUE℠ is all about customizing experiences, encouraging genuine relationships, crafting enriching and full-sensory experiences, and focusing on amplifying abilities every day. We do all of this by truly getting to know our residents, starting with a resident story survey that asks about preferences so we understand how to tailor community life to you.
Private Apartments
Independent living residents enjoy private apartments with a kitchen, living room, and natural lighting and have several different floor plans to choose from. No matter which floor plan you choose, it’s yours to decorate to your heart’s content and make it feel like a comfortable, welcoming home.
One of the top benefits of senior living is the low-maintenance lifestyle it offers. The community handles lawn maintenance and landscaping, which gives residents more time to pursue their passions, indulge in their hobbies, and explore all the amenities and activities that senior living offers.
Healthy Living
You probably know that wellness and staying physically fit are important as you age. But achieving your fitness goals can be tough unless your neighborhood is walkable or you have a gym in your basement.
Independent living communities make it easy to stick to fitness goals by offering wellness and fitness programs with options to meet different fitness levels and interests. Being among a community of residents who are also wellness-focused can make it easier to stick to a routine and find a workout buddy.
There are several fitness options, including yoga classes, walking trails, and fitness centers. Our fitness centers are fully equipped with easy-to-use equipment and personal trainers who are available to answer questions.
Diverse Dining Options
Food nourishes the body, providing fuel for the day; it should also be delicious and enjoyed with friends. Dining shouldn’t be one-size-fits-all, and many independent living communities offer choices to meet nearly every palate. You’ll find our Crafted by Cedarhurst℠ dining program in nearly every Cedarhurst community.
Let’s set the dining scene: You’re sitting in one of several beautiful restaurant-style dining spaces with a group of close friends, or maybe you choose to enjoy a to-go meal in the comfort of your apartment. On the menu is a variety of foods consisting of seasonally inspired flavors, fresh ingredients, and familiar favorites that are available year-round. You can rest assured that the menu caters to foods that meet nutritional needs and sensitivities, including gluten-free, diabetic-friendly, and low-sodium options.
How Retiring Baby Boomers Can Financially Prepare for Independent Living
Once you’ve researched the type of community you’re interested in and the can’t-miss amenities you want to ensure it offers, it’s time to prepare for senior living, including making sure you’re financially prepared.
Senior Living Costs
Start by understanding what goes into the cost of senior living. This includes:
- Apartment size: The larger the floor plan, the higher the monthly fee for the apartment is. Senior living communities take varying budgets into consideration, so they often offer several different options, such as studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom floor plans.
- Cost of living and location: Real estate trends impact the cost of senior living. For example, a senior living apartment in New York City will be more expensive than other areas in the state.
- Amenities: Amenities increase the cost of senior living, but it’s important to remember that these amenities, such as housekeeping, wellness resources, and transportation, provide convenience and comfort.
Payment Plans
You’ll encounter two types of payment plans. The first consists of an entrance fee upon moving in (sometimes referred to as a buy-in fee) and monthly fees to cover amenities, apartment costs, services, and dining.
The more common payment plan is a simple monthly fee that covers rent, access to perks such as wellness resources and amenities, and transportation services.
Offsetting Senior Living Costs
To get an idea of what you’ll pay for senior living, we recommend using a personalized senior living calculator, such as our TRUEcost calculator, to compare your current monthly costs to the cost of senior living.
Some ways you can offset the cost of senior living include:
- Life insurance cashout: This converts the insurance policy into a prefunded account. The funds aren’t paid out at face value, but this usually pays more than the surrender value of your policy.
- Home equity: This includes selling the family house or taking out a home equity line of credit. As with any other financial decision, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons before making a decision.
- Out of pocket: These funds can come from savings accounts, retirement funds, or investments.
The Financial Planning Answers You Want (and Need)
Evaluating cost is a crucial part of making an informed decision about independent living. Explore our comprehensive resource on financial planning and how to pay for senior living with A Complete Guide to Financial Planning for Senior Living.
.png?width=614&height=400&name=Blog%20%2321%201400%20x%20700%20(3).png)
.png?width=614&height=400&name=Blog%20%2378%201400%20x%20700%20(1).png)
.png?width=614&height=400&name=Blog%20%2390%205%20Assessments%20to%20Determine%20if%20Your%20Loved%20One%20Needs%20Senior%20Living%201500%20x%20750%20(1).png)
