Healthy Aging in a Life Plan Community
Live and age well in retirement
We all know diet, exercise, and socialization are vital components of a healthy lifestyle, especially as we age. The challenge, though, isn’t so much knowing these healthy habits. Instead, it’s putting them into regular practice. As you continue to age, you may struggle to meal prep like you used to or have less motivation to stay active. This is where living in a life plan community can help. Between freshly prepared meals and regularly scheduled activities and events, senior living can help you age well in retirement.
What is a life plan community?
A life plan community is a senior living community that offers a continuum of services to help you live and age well as your health needs change. These services might include senior living, assisted living, and memory care.
Where you live makes a significant difference in your health and how you experience your golden years. Rather than risk difficult upkeep and increased isolation in your long-term home, research has shown that moving to a life plan community (also known as a continuing care retirement community) can improve physical, social, emotional, vocational and intellectual wellness.
The benefits of living in a life plan community
Compared to residents from the community at large, life plan community residents reported greater:
Life Satisfaction: Those who live in senior living communities tend to feel happier and more satisfied with their life as a result of the opportunities and personalized care they receive.
Optimism: Residents at senior living communities tend to report a more positive outlook on life. They experience better moods than their counterparts in the greater community and struggle less with negativity.
Resilience: As a result of greater optimism and life satisfaction, residents of life plan communities tend to report higher resilience. Their active lifestyle and strong sense of community helps them to bounce back from stressful situations faster.
Hopefulness: Living alone can add increased levels of anxiety and loneliness. At a senior living community, however, residents report feeling as if they were living a much more hopeful and fulfilled life.
Peace of Mind: At a life plan community, you can experience peace of mind that another level of care is available should you need it. As your health needs change, you don't have to worry about moving to another facility because additional care is already available to you.
How a life plan community promotes healthy aging
Simple lifestyle
Life plan community residents seem happier and more satisfied with life because of the lifestyle they experience. They aren’t spending increasing amounts of time grocery shopping, doing laundry, or completing yard work. Instead, they’re living life how they choose, doing more of what they want, when they want.
Opportunity for physical activity
Exercise is another aspect of a senior living community that residents have easy access to. You’ll no longer need to motivate yourself to drive to the gym. Instead, you’ll be able to take advantage of the fitness programming and physical wellness options designed specifically for healthy aging. The friends that you make in the community can be your exercise partners, helping you get your daily fitness in and offering you stimulating socialization.
Social connection
Senior living communities empower you to live a socially engaging lifestyle. Life plan communities offer social calendars with daily events and activities to partake in. Since housekeeping, home maintenance, and meal prep are done for you, you have much more time for book club, afternoon tea, or an art class with friends.
Find a sense of community and fulfillment at Knute Nelson
At Knute Nelson, we offer two senior living communities: Crystal Brook Senior Living in Park Rapids, MN and Grand Arbor in Alexandria, MN. At both of these communities, residents experience healthy aging like never before. With maintenance-free living, amenities, restaurant-style dining, wellness programming, and much more, residents have everything they need right on campus. These life plan communites offer a full family of services including independent senior living, assisted living, and memory care.
If you are unsure whether it is the right time for senior living, take our free online assessment to learn more about your or a loved one's care needs and determine if senior living is the right fit. To learn more about Knute Nelson's communities or to schedule a tour, please contact us at (320) 335-8786 or fill out an online form.
Meet the Author
As the Sales Manager of Senior Housing at Knute Nelson, Anne Wild brings a dedicated spirit and a deep passion for aging services to her role. With an Associate of Arts Degree in Business Administration from Ridgewater College, she has a strong background in sales and customer service. Although her past career has primarily focused on the hospitality industry, Wild demonstrates a remarkable commitment to ensuring older adults find secure and comfortable residences.
Each day, she takes pride in listening to diverse stories, forming meaningful connections, and making a positive impact on older adults and their families. Beyond her professional life, she enjoys cherished moments with her friends and family, which includes her husband, two adult children, and their yellow lab, Jax. Together they enjoy entertaining, boating, traveling, hiking/running, cooking, and games. Her unwavering dedication to senior care is a testament to her profound empathy and a desire to enhance the well-being of those who are served by Knute Nelson.
Last updated: January 24th , 2024
