If you’re ready to find the perfect senior housing in Evanston, IL, or if you’re just starting to explore retirement living options, we’re here to assist you in making the right choice. Our experience working with active adults and their families has allowed us to compile a comprehensive list of frequently asked questions and answers about our senior living community.
What is an active adult community?
An active adult community is a community specifically designed for age qualified, active adults over the age of 55 that want to embrace maintenance free living with like-minded peers in a setting that promotes quality of life. Focused on creating a warm, engaging inclusive atmosphere, active adult communities provide state-of-the-art amenities, classes, and activities that foster healthy aging and lasting social relationships with peers. You will find fitness, fun and friendship in resort inspired surroundings. You will not find medical assistance, transportation, or meals but on-site team members are more than willing to assist with locating these services as needed. Active adult communities provide the financial and maintenance freedom that renting an apartment provides, a sense of community that is important for overall well-being without the additional cost of care and supportive services that are not wanted or needed.
What are the benefits of living in a 55+ community?
The many pros of living in a 55+ community include:
- Floor plans designed for adults that are nearing or entering retirement, with an emphasis on comfort, style, and convenience.
- A community of like-minded, active adult neighbors with which to create meaningful social connections.
- Peace of mind in a secure environment with other community members who support and watch out for each other.
- Resort-style amenities that may include state-of-the-art full-service fitness centers, yoga studios, swimming pools, professionally outfitted kitchens for classes and demonstrations, theaters, game rooms and well-manicured outdoor spaces.
- A dynamic and engaging lifestyle program, often centered around the Seven Dimensions of Wellness: mental, physical, social, financial, spiritual, environmental, and vocational. The opportunity for trying new pursuits and/or sharing expertise with community and local neighborhood.
- In an active adult community, residents can utilize the time otherwise lost to home maintenance to spend time with children, grandchildren, and family.
- Financial flexibility: Optional concierge type services are available at the preference and choice of each resident.
What is Senior Living?
Senior Living is an umbrella term applied to the various types of communities that cater to older adults, particularly those over the age of 55.
What is the difference between active adult living, independent living, and assisted living?
Active Adult Living is the ideal place to call home for active adults that are completely independent and seeking to maximize the freedom that comes with apartment home living. For adults that are active and independent but no longer want the burden of home ownership and/or those that are already renting but want to move to a rental community with like-minded peers, an active adult community provides the perfect balance of low maintenance living with a wellness-centric, engaging lifestyle. With just the right number of included services and amenities, active adult communities make sense in terms of both lifestyle and finances.
Independent Living is for seniors who may need some level of assistance. Services like meals, laundry, linen delivery, maid service and planned activities are usually built into the monthly rent. If a resident needs additional care, like an aide to help with daily life, they must hire from an outside source on their own.
Assisted Living is for seniors who need a higher level of care. Assisted living facilities have on-site professionals to help with daily challenges and medical care. Those services are based on need and assessed by the onsite team. Additional care charges are added to the monthly cost for rent and service.
How do I find the right active adult community for me?
There are important issues to consider when looking for the right community:
- Where do you want to live? Do you want to remain in your current location or try a new city, state, or town? Do you want to live near your adult children and grandchildren?
- Financially, does apartment-living make sense for you?
- Do you have a pet? Is the active adult community pet friendly?
- Does the design and layout of the community align with your style, taste, and standards?
- Does the lifestyle programming at the active adult community fit your interests, hobbies, and vision of 55+ living?
- After experiencing the community firsthand by taking a tour, does the community have the right feel for you?
- What amenities do 55+ active adult communities offer?
Amenities at active adult communities may include:
- Expansive recreational and social spaces that provide new experiences every day.
- State-of-the-art fitness centers to stay physically active.
Yoga studios to balance and refine mental and physical fitness.
Complimentary coffee bars to enjoy in the mornings with neighbors and friends.
- Chef kitchens for cooking classes, demonstrations, wine tastings, and other culinary experiences.
- Private theaters to watch a favorite flick with grandchildren.
- Creative arts studios to discover a new skill set or passion.
- Stunning exterior surroundings and grounds, complete with regular landscaping and scheduled upkeep.
- A maintenance team that fixes any physical problem in the apartment home within 24 – 48 hours.
- An experienced on-site team that provides the highest quality of 55+ living for residents.
- What is the best way to start a conversation with my parents about moving to a 55+ or other retirement community?
- Begin conversations earlier than expected. It will take your loved one’s time to come around to the concept of moving out of their home that raised a family.
- Reflect on the reasons why you believe it is time for your parents to move; be transparent and honest with your reasoning.
Be sensitive to their thoughts, comments, and emotions. Understand their perspective and put yourself in their shoes.
- Research several options first and provide details to make their decision easier. Show that you are thinking of them.
- Establish a tone of support and always be transparent that you want what is best for them.
How to right-size for a senior living move?
- Take bite size pieces of your personal belongings, don’t try to manage everything at once.
- Be intentional with the time you set aside to right size. Set a timer to take breaks and avoid getting overwhelmed.
- Create a list to help decide on what needs to be kept, what can be trashed, and what should be donated.
- Lean on friends, family, and loved ones to help! Connect with local senior living advisors, professional downsizers, and organizational experts for support.
