Best Independent Living Services and Amenities to Look For
Making the right choice about senior living can be one of the first steps to realizing your retirement dreams. Here’s a look at how to choose the option that best suits your vision, and the independent living services and amenities that will enrich your retirement experience.
Compare Retirement Living Options
Before you consider independent living services and amenities, it helps to know why an independent living community is the best choice for a vibrant retirement lifestyle. A brief comparison of senior living options demonstrates the independent living advantage:
Aging in place. Many people envision enjoying their retirement years amid the comforts of their current home. To successfully navigate aging in place, however, you’ll need to plan for the likelihood that health setbacks or declining abilities will eventually make it difficult to enjoy your home as fully — and independently — as you have in the past.
55+ communities. These communities are designed for active older adults who want to be free of some of the responsibilities of homeownership so they can enjoy amenities, like a pool or a fitness studio, in a community of similarly aged people. As with aging in place, if you need long-term care, you may have to move to another community. Or, if additional levels of living are offered in the 55+ community, you’ll likely have to pay the market rate.
Independent living in a Life Plan Community. Independent living is perfect for older adults who want a maintenance-free lifestyle, an array of enriching services and amenities, and a community of like-minded friends. In a Life Plan Community, there’s an additional advantage: an on-campus continuum of care ensures you’ll have access to long-term care, if necessary, on the same campus you know and love. What’s more, if the Life Plan Community offers a LifeCare® contract, you can get the long-term care you need in assisted living, skilled nursing, rehabilitation, or memory care, at a cost that’s significantly lower than the market rate.
Discover the Top Independent Living Services and Amenities
Of course, the wealth of services and amenities is another reason to choose a Life Plan Community. These are the features that set the tone for the community and create an enriching and engaging lifestyle for residents. As you tour communities, look for the following features:
Maintenance-Free Lifestyle
With home upkeep, grounds keeping and other chores of homeownership taken care of for you, there’s more time to pursue the activities you truly enjoy.
Delicious Dining
A chef-led culinary team creates mouthwatering menus, while multiple dining venues give you the flexibility to choose when and where to eat.
Fitness Opportunities
Being physically active is one of the keys to healthy aging. With amenities like a fitness center, aquacise and yoga classes, a putting green and a pickleball court, you’ll have an array of choices that make it easy to keep moving and stay fit.
Social Connection
Join a book discussion group, attend on-campus cultural events, and make friends in the art studio or at the dog park. Opportunities to connect with others can prevent isolation and loneliness, which are linked to an increased risk of dementia, heart disease, stroke, depression and anxiety.
Lifelong Learning
Retirement communities with lifelong learning programs, arts and crafts classes and other educational opportunities challenge your mind and keep you mentally engaged, which can help you maintain cognitive function as you get older.
Convenience Services
Errands are a breeze with on-campus conveniences like concierge and banking services, a salon and spa, plus valet services and scheduled transportation.
Resort-Style Living at Sagewood
At Sagewood, our services and amenities create the perfect atmosphere for anyone who wants to enjoy a sun-filled, carefree, upscale retirement lifestyle. We’re a friendly, vibrant independent living community offering LifeCare®, so you can enjoy peace of mind about future care in addition to the fine dining, wellness amenities and lively social opportunities that bring joy to daily life. Contact us to learn more or to schedule a visit.