Top Amenities to Look for in Senior Living

If you’re entertaining the idea of moving to a senior living community, you may be wondering how to go about selecting the best option. Of course there are many ways to narrow down your choices, but as you mull over the possibilities, pay attention to the senior living amenities offered in each community. These are the features that will elevate your experience, and make every day a treat. Here are some of the top senior living amenities to look for as you conduct your search:

Delicious Dining Options

Eating is one of the great pleasures in life. It’s also a vital part of health and well-being. In the best senior living communities, culinary expertise and fresh, local ingredients are a recipe for wonderful meals that unite nourishment and flavor. Multiple dining venues give you the freedom to vary your dining experiences, enjoying an elegant four-course meal in the evening and a grab-and-go salad the next day for lunch.

A Focus on Health and Wellness

Being physically active is one of the most important lifestyle choices you can make. And with the right senior living amenities, it can be an easy choice to make, too. Look for fitness amenities that will inspire you to keep moving — scenic walking trails, an indoor pool, a golf course, a well-equipped fitness center and fitness classes that pique your interest.

Of course, well-being depends on more than physical health. A vibrant senior living community will offer amenities that foster whole-person health, including opportunities that support spiritual, social, intellectual and emotional wellness.

Well-Appointed Residences

Whether you’re downsizing, upsizing or rightsizing, look for an independent living community with residences that you would be happy to call home. Does the apartment or cottage have the features you want — roomy closets or a fully equipped kitchen? When you tour the community, don’t forget to check out the view from the residence windows. Would you enjoy waking up to that view every morning?

Activities That Inspire You

A move to independent living means that many of the chores and household duties that once occupied your time are off your shoulders, freeing you to pursue the activities that make you happy. You’ll want to choose a community where each day brings the chance to engage in meaningful pursuits, whether that means a day of golfing, a book club meeting, tending a garden, painting in the art studio — or all of the above.

Opportunities for Lifelong Learning

On the eve of turning 80, physician and author Oliver Sacks wrote of feeling “free to explore whatever I wish.” Indeed, a willingness to explore and learn is good for you — improving memory, supporting mental health and reducing the likelihood of showing symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. Look for a senior living community that invites intellectual engagement, through on-campus classes or through a partnership with a nearby college or university.

A Location You Love

Real estate agents emphasize the importance of location, and it should factor into your decision regarding a senior living community, as well. The surrounding area will expand your opportunities to do the things you most enjoy. Nature lovers may want to choose a scenic community near a state park. Culture aficionados may want to be near a big city, or in a culturally rich location with accessible museums, theaters and other attractions.

Peace of Mind

You’ll want to choose a community where you can flourish now and feel secure in the knowledge that you have a plan for the future. If you choose a lifecare retirement community, you’ll know that, should your health needs change, higher levels of care — including assisted living, rehabilitation and skilled nursing — are available in the same community at a predictable cost.

Independent Living at Its Best

As you ponder the top senior living amenities, your mind may be buzzing with possibilities. What would the perfect independent living community look like for you? We think you’ll find your ideal here at Essex Meadows. With delicious meals, a variety of dining venues, an executive-length golf course and a partnership with Wesleyan University, you’ll find ample opportunity to do the things you love. And our location is perfect: near The Preserve — a 1,000-acre coastal forest — and a train ride away from Boston and New York City. We offer all that, and the peace of mind of a lifecare retirement community. Contact us to learn more or to schedule a visit.