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New year sparks new journey for older adults

By Ryan Keller

You’ve heard the phrase before: “new year, new me.”

When the clock hits midnight and we officially ring in the new year, we tend to set a list of goals or resolutions for ourselves to fulfill by the end of the year. Although it’s not usually clearly stated, there’s a common theme among our resolutions: a better lifestyle. This theme pairs hand in hand with a higher quality of life, which is exceedingly important for older adults to pursue as they age.

Obtaining a higher quality of life is a new year’s resolution that sometimes gets passed over, as many other resolutions feed into the overall concept, like exercising, socializing more, eating healthier, and taking up new hobbies. However, enhancing your lifestyle should be at the top of your list of resolutions in 2025. Resolving to improve your quality of life is a resolution that is all-encompassing, and there are many ways to adopt it. However, one avenue on the journey to a better lifestyle that more older adults should explore in 2025 is a change in environment, such as making the move to a senior living community.

If the idea of moving into a life plan community has been something you’ve been exploring for a few years – or not – consider making that jump as the new year kicks off. The first few months of 2025 signify the start of a new year, but also a new way of living.

Many older adults make the transition into a senior living community in the first few months of the year, signifying the start of a new journey in their lives. Life plan communities are an increasingly popular living option, according to Senior Housing News. They provide seniors with access to the full continuum of health care, starting with independent living, with the ability to transition to assisted living, memory support and skilled nursing, all on one campus. If their needs change, older adults can remain in the same community, rather than leaving their friends and moving from an independent living community to a different assisted living or memory support community.

Deciding to move into a senior living community can be made easier by doing your research, taking community tours, and having discussions with family members. If you want to make the move in the new year, make sure you’ve hit all the points on your to-do list.

First, consider what level of independence suits you. Are you ready to take a step back from homeownership and leave the responsibility of home maintenance and chores to someone else so you can live your life worry-free? Perhaps you desire high-quality meals prepared especially for you, or you want to socialize more through group trips and community events. A senior care expert or physician can help you navigate this assessment and determine if independent living is the right choice for you.

After determining your independence level, learn more about each community on your list:

  • Assess activities and things to do around the senior communities you’re researching. How close is the airport? Are there beaches, shopping centers and restaurants nearby?
  • Ask to take a look at the community’s event calendar. Are there enough activities to keep you engaged and entertained throughout the month? Is there a good variety to stimulate your brain and keep you social and active?
  • If you’re seeking a closer relationship with the staff, a small community may suit you more than a larger community, which is ideal for older adults who love to socialize.
  • Ask what the communities offer for services, like housekeeping or laundry services.
  • Inquire about amenities, such as pools, walking trails, or hair and nail salons. Another desirable amenity in senior living is a high-quality dining program that provides opportunities for socialization and delectable meals.

Senior living communities can contribute to an enhanced quality of life in more ways than one. They provide robust daily calendars, high-quality dining, the chance to make new friends in like-minded individuals, and more. Many older adults who enter independent living often say, “I wish I had done this sooner.”

If you aren’t quite ready to chart a new way of living this year, no worries. Use 2025 as a time to do research on senior communities, plan out your finances and decide what you want your future to look like.

Senior living communities provide far more than just another form of health care. Above all, they provide a new way of living, and they are a steppingstone in your journey to a higher quality of life.

About the author

Ryan Keller is the regional vice president of senior living operations for Volunteers of America National Services (VOANS), the sponsoring organization of Gulf Coast Village.