Independent living is adapting to the needs of seniors by adding new perks and amenities
While many may think of a retirement community as having an atmosphere similar to a hospital, that thinking couldn’t be further from the truth, particularly when it comes to independent living. In fact, Elizabeth Bangel-Stehlin, senior director of Sales and Marketing for Seasons, a Senior Lifestyle community in Kenwood, likens independent retirement living today as being more like a cruise ship than a hospital.
“Independent living today is much more of that enhanced lifestyle,” she says. “Independent living is now going be a little bit more focused on tailoring programming to the individuals that are living there. Food is at a very different caliber. Most communities are going to have an executive chef or an entire restaurant team. Seasons specifically, our executive chef and dining team are predominantly individuals that came to us from the Golden Lamb.”
The activities offered by communities have changed, too. Bangel-Stehlin says many residents are interested in philanthropic activities, so Seasons has worked with Matthew 25: Ministries and local soup kitchens to give people the opportunity to give back. While shuffleboard used to be a popular game, residents are instead preferring to play bocce ball. And while residents still desire fitness classes, they’re looking for diverse offerings, such as strength training, Tai Chi, yoga and functional movement classes.
The activity calendar isn’t the only thing that’s changed—the residences themselves have evolved with the times.
“It should feel like I am moving into an apartment,” says Bangel-Stehlin. “Seasons, as an example, works directly with a design team who has identified the counters and the cabinetry and the millwork and the faucets and the fixtures so that everything is very homelike, very upgraded and feels very fresh.”
And while independent living homes and apartments still offer needed safety features, they’re doing so in ways that are less obvious and more stylish. “In the past, you would’ve had one option for a grab bar, whereas now, thanks to changing technology and materials, [some] grab bars can look like towel racks and can actually be used that way because of the way that they work.”
Bangel-Stehlin works directly with potential Seasons residents, so she knows that many people still carry some unfounded fears about moving into a community. She says that loss of privacy and freedom are often top concerns for potential residents. But at communities like Seasons, residents are still in control of what they do each day. For example, residents can eat whenever they like, pick their own activities and determine their own cleaning schedule.
“The important thing to know about independent living is you are still independent. Just because we are taking away some of the day-to-day things that have to be done like housekeeping or yard maintenance that doesn’t mean that your power as a person has changed or diminished at all,” she says.
