Retirement Communities are Catering to Many Interests and Activities These Days

May 3
08:56

2012

Antoinette Ayana

Antoinette Ayana

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During the past decade, retirement communities have undergone a makeover to provide more diverse amenities to cater to active, social seniors.

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When most people think of retirement communities,Retirement Communities are Catering to Many Interests and Activities These Days Articles they typically conjure up images of seniors sitting in a rocking chairs on a porch, playing checkers or sitting in front of the TV all day. This may have described the way things were in the past, but these days the new generation of retirees has a far livelier plan for their golden years.

Retirement communities today often feature resort-like facilities. Retirees can enjoy yoga classes, fully equipped weight rooms, swimming pools and more. Many provide wonderful scenery that includes hiking or biking trails. The new generation of retirees can ditch the tiny hand weights and shuffleboard sticks for rowing oars and tennis rackets

These lush accommodations can make the retirees' adult children feel better about where mom and dad will be spending the rest of their days. In the past, most caring families traditionally dreaded the day they would have to make the tough decision to put their loved ones in a home. Cold, foul-smelling buildings that resemble a hospital and unappetizing cafeteria-style food used to be the sad reality.

The reasons for this shift in quality are plenty. Research studies have shown time and again that people who stay physically and mentally active in their old age enjoy many more years of physical and mental stamina than those who do not. The old adage "use it or lose it" rings true.

Another reason for more active retirement communities is the fact that we are simply living longer. Just as "40 is the new 30," the age of retirement feels more like middle age than old age for most people today. No one these days want to retire at 65 and sit inside watching game shows all day. They still feel virile and alive. The move to a retirement community is more often out of the desire for relaxation and a sense of community than it is based on need.

Why would someone want to move out of their home just because they are retired? The beauty of living in an assisted living space is that all the maintenance, cleaning and repairs are done for you. Think of it as a permanent hotel stay where you can simply wake up in the morning (or whatever time you like) and leave the house to do whatever you please. There will never be another thought of needing to cut the grass, fix the sink or vacuum the carpet. These labors will be a thing of the past as you enjoy having someone take care of you the way you've taken care of everyone else all those years.

Additionally, the care increases with tenants' needs. The wealth of life-enriching activities offered in many retirement communities today does extend the years of health and vitality they are able to enjoy. However, when the time does come for a higher level of assisted living, the retiree can stay put in the property he has made his home and receive close, additional care.