The retirement years are supposed to be the twilight of your life, allowing you to relax and enjoy living after decades of hard work. In senior living or retirement communities, residents typically do not have to worry about complex house repairs, lawn care, utility bills, or other hardships that come with living alone. In return, seniors can enjoy retirement and a wide variety of fun amenities like golfing, hiking, beaches, cooking, dining, and more. Luxury senior communities can enjoy resort-like amenities, further promoting relaxation and happiness. High-end senior living communities offer quite a variety of benefits during the later years of one’s life.
Amenities
Specific amenities will depend on the community, but most high-end senior living communities typically offer fine dining, extensive fitness facilities, front desk concierge, golf courses, spas, salons, pools, gardens, pickleball courts, and more. These amenities and activities for older adults promote exercise, enrichment, relaxation, and happiness. Room service and concierge also provide security and convenience.
Enrichment
High-end senior communities offer enrichment to older adults without worrying about cost, traveling, or other logistics. You can find a golf course in your backyard or a lush community garden without expensive landscapers. Other adults in the community have similar backgrounds and experiences, allowing you to find enrichment through friendship.
Mental Health
Knowing that you have a safe and secure roof over your head, with all of your wants and needs covered, can provide immense stress relief, lowering the prevalence of anxiety or depression symptoms. Living with other older adults as neighbors can relieve isolation or loneliness. Activities like golf or gardening can provide fulfillment and exercise, benefiting the mind and body.
Physical Health
Many older adults enjoy physical activities like golf, tennis, swimming, pickleball, and gardening during retirement. These activities are not only fun but also provide a subtle way of working muscles and joints and getting the blood pumping. Physical activity is critical, especially later in life, as it can improve mobility, flexibility, and pain levels.
Safety
High-quality, luxury retirement communities have stronger building security and more efficient hiring practices to reduce crimes like theft, abuse, and neglect. Theft and abuse don’t just occur in nursing homes; these crimes can happen anywhere, in any senior living or retirement community. When considering a retirement community, it’s essential to understand your rights as a resident, especially regarding safety. Laws and regulations regarding senior communities, abuse, and neglect often vary slightly from state to state.
Illinois
Illinois, especially in populated cities like Chicago, can have a high rate of reported elder abuse. Understanding the Illinois Nursing Home Care Act and other Illinois laws can help you realize your rights as a member of a senior living community. You have the right to live free from any type of abuse and neglect. You must also be treated with dignity and respect.
New York
New York has their version of laws regarding elder abuse, including The New York Elder Abuse Prevention Act, which requires any professional to report suspected elder abuse. If you live in a community where abuse isn’t getting reported, then it is considered illegal.
California
California has a criminal code regarding senior abuse of adults aged 65 and older, called Penal Code 368, which enhances sentencing against financial, physical, and emotional abusers. Abusers must be aware of the victim’s age when committing abuse.
Socialization
You’ll be among neighbors you can relate to in a senior living community. High-end communities verify and check the background of all residents so you can be assured you’re living in safe housing with relatively like-minded individuals (politics and religion aside). Luxury senior communities often offer day trips, parties, events, and other activities to help you meet and engage with your neighbors. Socializing is important for older adults to improve mental health and avoid isolation.
Easy Retirement
Retiring in luxury senior communities, the internet, utilities, and rent are all rolled into one payment, and you can pay however you’d like. The community takes care of minor and major repairs when necessary. Not having to worry about different bills or home repairs can make retirement a relaxing and easy experience. All you have to worry about is how much food you can eat and how much fun you can have.
Scenery
Luxury senior communities are often situated in areas with beautiful views near features like lakes, beaches, mountains, or rivers. It’s not often you get to live somewhere with a stunning view, and it can improve your mental health to see a beautiful sunset or enjoy a lush garden every day.
Retirement allows older adults to relax and enjoy life now that their hard work is mostly finished. Luxury senior living communities offer a great way to enjoy retirement without worrying about household repairs or utility bills. These communities provide safe and secure amenities, food, enrichment, and often beautiful views. Luxury communities are less likely to find abuse and neglect cases against older adults, as they have better security and hiring procedures—but it’s essential to know your laws and rights.
