"What do you want?" An almost too-simple question, it would seem. But keep it in mind as you investigate your many options in independent living, because you may begin to notice that you hear a lot about what the senior living industry thinks you need, and you'll come to recognize as standouts those who ask you, “Well, how do you picture your ideal lifestyle?” And here we arrive at the universal solution to cutting through the apparent similarity of so many very attractive communities.
Independent Living providers certainly recognize your challenge. Some have even created communities that focus narrowly on interest groups—that is, forming a community around people who are interested in roughly the same things.
Practicality should not dictate similarity
In the average city and town, however, a residence must accommodate a broader culture and a larger cross-section of affordability. Most residents see this as a good thing. After all, retirement is a time when many seek to “broaden their horizons” without depleting their retirement funds. The key is to look for a residence where activities include all possible general interests. Whether you're into cooking or art or sports, you should look for dedicated spaces, equipment and activities that let you explore your interests. Another important feature is regular organized outings to theater, museums and cultural events with transportation provided.
Look for the heart of social life
Dining is so central to happiness and social engagement that any residence worthy of consideration should proudly feature the dining room, executive chef and culinary staff in its literature and tour. A good chef really has to be on their toes to bring inspiration and new dining experiences along with nutrition and family favorites. It is not in any way out of the ordinary to ask about the background of the culinary staff, no more than it is to scrutinize the credentials of the residence management and associates.
People who are today in the market for retirement apartments will have no trouble remembering that not long ago “independent living,” if there were such a term, simply meant that you were in your senior years and still lived in your house. The options were to downsize, move in with your kids or go to a “home.” Most such retirees are simply ready to give up the maintenance of a house that's much larger and more expensive than they need. They're hardly ready to give up their lifestyle. Thus, the rise of the IL residences, apartment living organized around common amenities for a shared age group.
Consult and think ahead
The configurations of communities, both their physical architecture and their programs for leasing, ownership and financing, also have evolved more and more individualized choices. There are conventional apartment leases, condominium arrangements, flexible ownership and buy-back programs, sometimes called “life lease,” to name a few. Your financial planner is a good third-party source for which is best for you.
Some seniors find the cottage-style or duplex-style freestanding home in a sort of neighborhood or village layout to be quite appealing. Others prefer the security and convenience of a large apartment building, with multiple floors and common amenities such as salons, spas, pools, courtyards, exercise areas, putting greens, gardens and workshops. In any case, it’s wise to consider a community that’s connected to a continuum of care—that is, dedicated, but separate assisted living and memory care.
Back to the question–and the answer
And here we are again–“What do you want?” Not what do we, the Independent Living providers, think you need as a senior. Any community is going to promote its amenities. It’s a competitive business, after all, and no community wants you to think that they’ve left anything out. At the same time, no piling on of amenities is going to make it the kind of place you want to live in. So, how do you evaluate, given similar lists from different but not-that-different communities?
It comes down to the people. First, you should feel that the people who work there, the people you see every day, are there because they love being there. Not just that they “like the business,” but that they have a passion for customer service. We all lament about how customer service “used to be,” when the customer was right, where the barber and the butcher and the couple who ran the corner grocery knew your name, knew your family, and were legitimately happy to see you.
Well, that’s a high standard to meet, but any independent living residence worthy of the name should meet it. Their hiring standards and procedures should be rigorous. And you should know what they are. And, above all, you should feel it the moment you walk in: Are you welcome? When you leave, is someone there to wave goodbye and invite you back? Did you get the unmistakable feeling that this is the place, that this is what you want?
Paul Hansen is marketing director of Legend Senior Living®.
