Boomers Changing the Face of Senior Living
As members of the Baby Boom generation move into senior communities, they are bringing with them their unique perspectives and desires. This group, born between 1946 and 1964, aren’t content with retiring to a quiet life of cookie-cutter leisure, as their parents may have been.
Communities that want to attract this incoming wave of empty nesters and retirees know that Boomers want and deserve to be treated as individuals. In response, communities have moved far beyond one-size-fits-all offerings and amenities.
Two of the biggest recent trends in senior living that Boomers have embraced are flexible dining options and robust enrichment and social opportunities.
Flexible Dining
Boomers want — and expect — to have choices. And when it comes to food, those choices aren’t just about what they want to eat, but when and how.
For instance, residents of Echo Lake, a SageLife community in Malvern, Pa., have three different dining options within the community a pub, a café and restaurantstyle dining room. There’s even a rooftop bar and terrace. In addition, Echo Lake’s flexible meal plan works on a point system. Continental Breakfast is included every day, then residents have points to use as they wish.
“Residents can eat breakfast, lunch or dinner at the community every day, or accumulate points and use them to host friends and family, or to eat lunch plus dinner on some days,” said Echo Lake’s Executive Director, Kathy Ardekani, MSW, NHA. “It’s up to them, which is what they want.”
Dining Director Patrick Moen’s menus also offer a combination of always-available favorites for those in the mood for sophisticated comfort foods, as well as changing seasonal offerings and specials to keep things fresh for those who want to mix it up.
So Much to Do
As individuals are living longer — and remaining active longer — they are looking at retirement as a chance to pursue new interests and delve deeper into life-long passions. Boomers are looking for communities with a full slate of sophisticated entertainment, classes, celebrations and outings and the available spaces and services to develop their own community interest groups.
Echo Lake, for example, offers art classes, fitness classes, pickleball, trivia night, lectures, live entertainment, opportunities for community outreach, and so on. The community’s Life Enrichment Director, Joyce Coleman, says “Lifelong learning is a real passion of mine. I like tapping into residents’ interests so we can plan programs and events that everyone will love.
And while having fun and learning is a goal in and of itself, pursuing interests and sharing them with others has far-reaching benefits.
The National Institute on Aging reports that social isolation and loneliness are serious health dangers, linked to higher risks for a variety of physical and mental health conditions, including high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, anxiety, depression, weakened immune system, cognitive decline, Alzheimer’s disease and even death.
Studies show that people who engage in meaningful, productive activities with others tend to feel better, have a sense of purpose and live longer. Their cognitive function may improve, too.
“Staying engaged and socially connected keeps Boomers healthier longer,” Ardekani added. “Aging should be about becoming an elder, not becoming elderly.”