Getting the Most from Life Plan Community Living

Amenities, maintenance-free living, activities, convenient access to healthcare, availability of care levels, dining options—the reasons for choosing to live in a Life Plan Community (LPC) are numerous. But once you’ve made the decision to opt for community living, how can you be sure you’re choosing the lifestyle that’s best for you? And what can you do to maximize the benefits available to you?

Naturally our own goals and dreams for retirement will shape where and how we live. If being close to family is a priority, for example, geography will guide our choice of a community. But there are specific advantages we can look for in any community setting:

• Non-profit communities are charitable entities, often mission-driven, and as such, they put resources into their communities and residents, not shareholders. Non-profits are also more responsive to residents’ needs and provide more staff and staff contact hours, according to recent research by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
• Financial stability is essential in any retirement community setting. An understanding of fee and contract structure and benefits is essential. Fee-for-service, lifecare, modified lifecare, rental, and equity are some contract options. Transparent financials and clear contract options are the hallmark of a reputable LPC.
• Spending time at an LPC—not just for a tour and lunch—is an excellent way to see if a community is a good fit. Can you spend a weekend? Attend some events? Talk with current residents? A community that opens its doors and gives you the opportunity to explore is one that has nothing to hide.

A rich array of services and amenities that enhance the wellbeing of active older adults is indicative of a thriving LPC. But one of the most significant advantages of community living is convenience. Because what we need is available on campus, we are more likely to take care of our health, engage in social activities, stay physically active, and find meaning and purpose in our lives.

Residents of senior living communities have greater, more convenient access to healthcare than seniors who live in the community at large. Doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and other highly skilled staff and, at times, specialists such as cardiologists, are available on campus. The convenience of having a wide array of medical services available means that residents can access care more quickly and easily. In addition, staff are often available 24/7 for emergency care.

Many LPCs have wellness centers for blood pressure checks or other ongoing medical needs as well as rehabilitation and physical therapy. Taking advantage of conveniently available healthcare is one of the most significant benefits of LPC living.

Increased research supports the notion that our relationships sustain, nurture, and enrich us. Dr. Amit Shah of the Mayo Clinic explains that 80% of our health is determined by social factors. Plus, he adds, the quality, duration, and nature of our relationships have the most effect on aging well.

Sadly, many seniors suffer from loneliness and isolation. A national poll on healthy aging conducted by the AARP and the University of Michigan found that more than one third of older adults reported feeling isolated from others. A recent article published in the National Library of Medicine entitled Social Interaction and Life Satisfaction Among Older Adults notes the following:

Old age refers to the period when social relationships and interactions decrease because of physical aging and retirement. However, in the 65–74 age group, participating in social activities, volunteering, and meeting children or friends on a regular basis can significantly boost life satisfaction.

At a time in life when critical social interaction is declining for so many, those who live in LPCs have myriad opportunities for positive, meaningful social interaction.

The National Council on Aging (NCOA) and the Centers for Disease Control are but some of the reputable agencies touting the many research-based studies on physical activity and aging well. The NCOA summarizes this concept well:

Regular activity can positively impact our physical health as well as our mental and emotional wellbeing. It can help give us more energy and greater self-confidence, enabling us to embrace our later years with gusto.

Specifically, exercise helps older adults in the following ways:

• Prevent bone loss
• Ease the pain of osteoarthritis
• Protect against chronic disease
• Enhance the immune system
• Elevate mood

The Alzheimer’s Society adds that exercise helps us retain memory and thinking skills, citing studies showing the link between aerobic physical activity and brain size, cognitive ability, thinking speed, and memory.

Those who live in LPCs benefit from the availability of a variety of on-campus options for exercise, from swimming pools to group exercise classes to resistance training.

Taking advantage of lifelong learning programming, guest lectures, concerts, art classes, gardening, and woodworking shops offers ways to explore and grow personally and as part of a community. LPCs often offer access to computers and other technology, such as virtual reality, with instruction on usage. Programs can bring those with specialized skill sets, including language proficiency or teaching experience, together with learners both on and off campus. Opportunities for religious expression and spiritual growth and exploration are also often available at LPCs.

Some communities, recognizing the importance of intergenerational interaction, partner with local schools to offer mentorship and tutoring programs, pairing seniors with school children. The larger the LPC, the greater the likelihood of a variety of learning and volunteering possibilities.

A strong working relationship between LPC management and residents is essential if residents are to maximize the benefits of community living. Residents get more out of campus life when they have a voice about governance, priorities, innovation, suggestions, and grievances. A community that empowers residents is one that is more likely to be vibrant and responsive.

There are so many ways for residents to get the most out of living in an LPC. In fact, taking advantage of the many campus opportunities available makes for healthier, happier seniors. The five-year Age Well Study conducted by the Mather Institute and Northwestern University interviewed more than 8,000 LPC residents in 122 communities annually. The results are clear: LPC residents report better physical, emotional, intellectual, social, and vocational wellness than their counterparts who live in the community at large.

Come explore Plymouth Harbor and learn more about this extraordinary community where the care and happiness of our residents is priority one. Call 941-365-2600 to schedule your private tour and discover why life truly is better on Sarasota Bay!