Many people mistakenly assume senior living is something they only need to consider when they require health care. But this outdated notion keeps them from exploring their options and discovering a lifestyle that could ultimately help them live longer, healthier lives.
The truth is, the best time to move to a Life Plan Community — also known as a continuing care retirement community or CCRC — is when you’re young and healthy enough to enjoy everything the community has to offer. So, let’s take a look at some of the top benefits of choosing a Life Plan Community and learn why so many people ultimately say, “I should have done this sooner.”
1. Enjoy a completely maintenance-free lifestyle.
When you choose a Life Plan Community, you can leave behind the endless to-do lists and worries about home maintenance and enjoy more freedom and time to do the things you enjoy. That’s because a Life Plan Community offers a truly maintenance-free lifestyle with all interior and exterior maintenance included. From appliance repair and housekeeping services to landscaping, lawn care and even 24-hour security, you won’t have to lift a finger. Plus, when you want to travel, you can simply lock your door and go with peace of mind knowing your home is taken care of.
2. Make new friends and build your support network.
At a Life Plan Community, you’ll never run out of things to do — or friends to do them with. Whether it’s taking a day trip, participating in an interest group, going for a walk, enjoying meals together or even just meeting for coffee, you won’t have to go far to find someone who wants to join in. Of course, your privacy is always respected and you’re in control of your schedule. Choose down-time whenever you like, knowing that a community of friends is always available right outside your door.
3. Focus on your health and whole-person wellness.
Life Plan Communities typically offer amenities designed to help you remain healthy and active such as a fitness center, an aquatic center, and group exercise classes. You’ll also find an on-site health clinic for routine screenings and acute care needs when you’re feeling under the weather.
The best communities also encourage whole-person wellness through a wide variety of programs and opportunities that encourage intellectual curiosity, spiritual and emotional well-being, vocational wellness such as hobbies and volunteerism, and social engagement. At Edgewood, you’ll find a full calendar that includes social events and entertainment, a variety of clubs and interest groups, and our highly successful, resident-directed Edgewood Lifelong Learning program (ELL), offering educational lectures and workshops on a variety of topics chosen by residents.
4. Structure your days any way you choose.
Gone are the days when retirement communities had set schedules and residents had to fit into a mold. Instead, as the name implies, a Life Plan Community is about living your life according to your plan in a community designed to support your freedom. And you’ll find amenities and services designed to make life easier and more convenient, more engaging, and more fun. Begin your day quietly with a cup of coffee and the newspaper or dive into the pool for some refreshing laps. Pack a picnic and go for a hike or meet friends for lunch in the Bistro. Join a book club discussion, spend some time in the art studio or volunteer in myriad ways. Make a light supper in your apartment home or let the community’s culinary team do all the work, then enjoy some evening entertainment or turn in early. Do what you like, when you like. The choice is always yours.
5. Leave the cooking and clean-up to someone else.
If you enjoy shopping for and preparing your own meals, you’ll appreciate having a fully equipped kitchen in your independent living residence. But if you’d rather leave the cooking and clean-up to someone else, you’ll be pleased to know that today’s Life Plan Communities offer choices in dining that can range from grab-and-go or light café-style meals to casual restaurant-style and fine dining options. You’ll also find flexible meals plans and enjoy the convenience of never having to tip or wait for the check.
At Edgewood, our chef-prepared, farm-to-table dining experience is known far and wide for using the freshest locally sourced ingredients available. Our talented chefs create seasonal menus that rival the finest restaurants with creative flavor combinations, internationally themed dinners, and classics that have become resident favorites. Enjoy breakfast and lunch in our Bistro, dinner in the main dining room, freshly baked breads and goodies from our on-site bakery, and custom gourmet coffees from our coffee shop.
6. Rest easy with intelligent design and 24/7 security.
Your safety and security are of the utmost importance. Life Plan Communities typically include a variety of features designed to make your environment easy to live in and navigate, reducing the risk of falls or other accidents. You’ll also find built-in security systems, personnel on duty 24/7, and a personal alert system that will enable you to summon help if you need it.
7. Give yourself and your family priceless peace of mind.
Life Plan Communities, or CCRCs, include a continuum of healthcare services that make it possible for you to remain in the community through almost any health challenge. And, when you move in as an independent living resident, you’ll secure priority access to higher levels of care when you need them. This can provide priceless peace of mind for both you and your family members, who will never be challenged with finding care in a crisis situation.
As the Merrimack Valley’s only LifeCare community, Edgewood residents have the assurance of unlimited, priority access to on-site healthcare services including The Woodlands Inn for assisted living and memory support, and award-winning care at The Meadows Health Center for short-term rehabilitation, long-term skilled nursing, and advanced memory support. LifeCare provides financial stability that insulates you from the rising costs of health care with no surprise expenses and, in combination with our Return of Capital Plan, helps to preserve your estate. You may also realize significant tax advantages.* (For more information, download our LifeCare booklet.)
8. The Edgewood Bonus: A not-for-profit organization
Many people don’t consider ownership when choosing a senior living community — but they should. Whether a community is not-for-profit or for-profit can have a big influence on how decisions are made and how the community’s resources are used. Edgewood is a not-for-profit organization and, as such, we exist for the benefit of residents, not shareholders. Our first concern and top priority will always be doing what’s right for Edgewood’s resident members.
Why wait? To learn more about the advantages of life at Edgewood and to speak with a member of our team, call 978-725-3300.