What to Expect from Retirement at a Senior Living Community

Planning for retirement is a process that’s full of big decisions. Figuring out where you’re going to retire, what resources you’ll need, and what to do with your newfound free time is certainly exciting, but it’s also a lot to think about. Choosing to retire at a senior living community means having everything you need to start your next chapter, plus reliable access to any support you may need in the future.

No two retirement lifestyles look the same, and senior living communities are no different. Each community is as unique as the residents who live there, so be sure the one you choose aligns with your expectations of retirement. Life at a senior living community elevates your retirement, empowering you to lead a life full of learning, connection, and growth.

Why Retire at a Senior Living Community? 

Retirement at a senior living community like Cedarhurst is vibrant and active, offering plenty of resources to enhance independence and create a lifestyle focused on fulfillment and growth. Still not sure what retiring looks like in a senior living community? Let us paint you a picture of the possibilities.

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1. Low-Maintenance Living

One of the biggest draws to a senior living community is the promise of a low-maintenance lifestyle. Residents can stop worrying about typical household chores and instead focus their time and energy on pursuing their passions and doing what they love. Low-maintenance living benefits residents as well as their loved ones, especially when those loved ones have taken on more responsibility for keeping up a family house. 

When you choose a retirement community, you no longer have to worry about coordinating landscaping services or house repairs and upkeep. In fact, many communities perform weekly housekeeping visits as well as laundry and linen services so you don’t have to spend time cleaning. Instead, you can enjoy walking the pathways and admiring the lush landscaping without pulling out the weed eater or scheduling the next lawn maintenance visit.

2. New Neighbors and Friends

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that feelings of loneliness and social isolation have been linked to serious health complications and challenges. Even the most extroverted of seniors can experience bouts of loneliness and isolation due to shrinking social circles in their professional and personal lives.

At a senior living community, life is all about connecting with diverse and unique neighbors. Retirement communities are designed to give residents the freedom to interact with whomever they choose. They’re also created with plenty of spaces and opportunities for neighbors to naturally stop and chat to get to know one another. 

Residents can stroll along paved walking paths with friends, meet up with a neighbor for a cup of coffee in the bistro, or start up a weekly poker game in the recreation room. Some communities feature swimming pools where residents can take a dip and fitness centers where groups gather for a yoga class. Meeting new people and connecting with new friends is easy in a senior living community, and the health benefits are sure to follow.

3. A Schedule That Works for You

Retirement in a senior living community also prioritizes the freedom to choose, including deciding how busy you want to be on any given day. If your preferred lifestyle is rooted in relaxation, there are ways to do that in a senior living community. Schedule a session at the on-site salon, sleep late, grab breakfast at the cafe when you wake up, or simply read a book in solitude out on the patio. 

If you prefer a schedule full of hustle and bustle, you can find that at a senior living community as well. A calendar of events, activities, and excursions is available so you can learn a new skill or pursue a favorite hobby, with easy access right down the hall. Take a painting class in the art workshop, jump on the shuttle for a chocolate tasting at a nearby sweet shop, or sing along with the musician featured at the evening’s on-site happy hour. However you prefer to spend your time, it’s all up to you.

4. Accessible Wellness Resources

You can enjoy retirement even more by setting and meeting health and wellness goals. Senior living communities offer a variety of wellness resources to help you take charge of your health and follow your physician’s recommendations. 

How do these communities support and sustain your health and well-being? Independent living communities not only employ trained staff in case a medical need arises, but they also provide plenty of additional wellness resources. Most exceptional communities have fully equipped fitness centers, complete with personal trainers on staff. It’s also common to see swimming pools, on-site health fairs, healthy cooking classes, and excursions to yoga studios and hiking trails.

5. Dynamic Dining Experiences

When you retire, you get to choose how you spend your time. For those who love to get in the kitchen and plan, chop, and sauté, that opportunity remains in the modern kitchens available in most independent living apartments. However, if you would appreciate some time off from cooking or cleanup, senior living dining is the delicious answer. 

At Cedarhurst, dining is at the heart of community life. In almost every one of our communities, you’ll find our Crafted by Cedarhurst℠ culinary program, specially designed to meet the needs and serve the choices of our residents. In addition to a bright dining room and warm atmosphere, Cedarhurst communities have meal and food options for everyone. From familiar favorites and classic dishes to delicious options that accommodate dietary restrictions, our menus offer a diverse range of selections that are seasonal, comforting, and healthy.

Additionally, senior living communities usually offer flexible dining plans and multiple dining venues. Even better, you can share a meal with your neighbors, making your next dining experience another way to connect with new friends and others in the community. 

6. Daily Reassurance and Support

Choosing to retire at a senior living community means you experience the comfort of knowing someone is always there when you need them—reliable staff and trusted neighbors are never far away. For residents, this means having more confidence in going about daily activities. For their families and loved ones, it means reassurance that their parents are in good hands. 

Retirement communities with more than one on-campus lifestyle option provide even more reassurance. Senior living communities like Cedarhurst provide a continuum of care, so if your health or care needs change as you age, you can remain in the community you’re used to while still receiving the care you need to thrive.

Finding the Right Retirement Community 

Regardless of your plans for retirement, the right senior living community provides all the resources and services you need to spend it your way. When plans or circumstances change because life happens, you have the reassurance that your senior living community can support you no matter what.

A move to senior living offers more than just a low-maintenance lifestyle and convenient amenities. Opportunities for connection exist around every corner in a senior living community, so you always feel welcome, comfortable, and at home.

Originally published March 2022. Revised April 2024.