Child Boomers In Capital Area Embrace Impartial Living Communities For Life-style

By Susan Elise Campbell

Aging child boomers proceed to symbolize a rising inhabitants within the Capital District and into the North Country. But seniors shifting from their properties to an unbiased dwelling scenario haven’t modified as a lot demographically over the previous 5 or 10 years as one could have thought.

“If anything, they are entering senior living later and later in life because they are active longer, due to medication and the wellness impact on the community,” mentioned Andrea Hebert, govt director of The Glen at Hiland Meadows in Queensbury, an Eddy Senior Living Community.

On the opposite hand, for these anxious to shed the tasks and prices of sustaining a home and yard, age is much less of an element.

“We do see residents seeking us out at a younger age than they may have 20 years ago, partly because this type of independent living situation didn’t exist a generation ago,” mentioned Kellie Postlethwaite, normal supervisor at Prestwick Chase in Saratoga Springs. 

Nursing properties had been the widespread possibility then, and Postlethwaite mentioned many individuals nonetheless don’t perceive the distinction between what’s now known as enhanced assisted dwelling and unbiased senior dwelling, akin to The Glen and Prestwick Chase present. 

Adult dwelling communities encourage residents to pursue their pursuits and to come back and go as they please. Staying lively is the other of a stereotypical rocking-chair picture that was previously related to seniors, Postlethwaite mentioned.

“Independence means more than maintenance-free living,” mentioned Hebert. “It can also mean not climbing stairs and having transportation needs met and meals prepared, if that is what residents seek.”

“Entering a senior community sooner would allow pursuing their goal of independence sooner,” mentioned Hebert. “Downsizing into an apartment is difficult, but I wish people would realize that coming a little sooner would give them a lot of freedom.”

One present pattern could also be that seniors need bigger residences than up to now. Hebert mentioned The Glen constructed a brand new wing with 28 bigger items a couple of years in the past as a result of they discovered “even a single individual likes an open floor plan and more space.”

Some who’re promoting the properties they raised their households in are experiencing greater valuations than ever, however that’s not their important purpose to transition out of properties and into unbiased dwelling. The major motivators are socialization, maintenance-free dwelling, and the affect of their kids.

“The housing market may be a factor for a few, but the majority have already made their decision,” Postlethwaite mentioned. “Their motivation may be a limitation, such as no longer being able to do stairs, or have taken the step to be closer to family.”

“More and more of our 65 to 70-year-olds are deciding they want to live an active life,” she mentioned. “Often it is the children driving the decision because independent living allows their parents to not only live close by, but also to be comfortable and safe.”

Isolation throughout Covid impacted the bodily and psychological well being of the older inhabitants and Postlethwaite mentioned that, with out query, seniors as we speak need and should be amongst different individuals. 

Many residents at The Glen select to reside there as a result of their buddies do, Hebert mentioned, and they’re putting new friendships, too.

Seniors have loads of alternative to socialize at unbiased dwelling services. Residents take advantage of their golden years by getting concerned in actions each on and off campus, mentioned the specialists.

“Every resident engages in a different way,” Hebert mentioned. “Some go to the local senior center for association and many are interested in staying involved in activities they long enjoyed, like hiking or knitting.”

“Some residents at Prestwick do a bottle collection to raise money for a local high school marathon, some sew and stuff pillows that are delivered to hospital patients, others do roadside cleanup with the Town of Greenfield twice a year,” mentioned Postlethwaite. 

Both services have actions administrators who plan all the things from actions, shows, and video games that happen in-house to music performances and theater at native venues. 

Postlethwaite oversees annual journey excursions at Prestwick Chase, the place teams of 12 to 16 individuals signal as much as take extra intensive journeys. There can be a resident council who provides their enter on new locations to go to.

Both managers at The Glen and Prestwick Chase commented that they’ve residents who proceed to work part-time. Many residents come from backgrounds akin to instructing,medication, engineering, and different professions.

As the time to maneuver approaches, each communities have employees to assist make transitioning smoother. 

“We encourage people to take a tour, come in as many times as they want, try the food, and visit with the residents,” Postlethwaite mentioned.

She mentioned one of many attracts of Prestwick Chase is that “there are three restaurants under the direction of an executive chef, not a food service company” and that it’s the solely such group with a liquor license.

Prospective residents must do their homework as they resolve the place to spend their lively years and consider which facilities they are going to want. The pricing construction and what’s included in every package deal differ from place to put. 

Visit eddyseniorliving.com and prestwickchase.com for extra data.