In the midst of an ongoing pandemic, a luxury retirement community might not necessarily be on the top of your list. But then, for many people, retiring right now makes more sense than continuing to fight for work, unemployment, or navigate the new normal daily. Moreover, millions of people have lost their jobs and their overall sense of community. Thus, if you’re 55+ and are looking for safe, quality care in a resort setting, then now might be a great time to consider moving to a luxury retirement community.
Of course, there’s no denying that organizations and individuals have been forced to adjust their practices and behaviors in so many ways. The normal looks very different now than it did only a year ago. All of these changes, along with health and safety regulations, have left many people wondering if any kind of senior living communities (luxury, assisted, or independent) are safe during COVID-19.
Clearly, the answer to this question is a complicated one. With the highest-quality senior living communities, there has been an overwhelming response from team members, staff, and the overall community to adapt quickly and responsibly. Facilities and resident communities that do it best are, in fact, some of the safest and most rewarding places for an older adult to live. Moreover, organizations that offer more of a high-end and accommodating lifestyle can adhere to CDC guidelines and keep their residents safe, socially distancing, and thriving. However, you don’t have to take our word for it just yet. Instead, you can check out places like Vivante Living at https://vivanteliving.com/new-luxury-senior-living-home-to-open-in-costa-mesa/; you’ll quickly see that luxury senior living can be safe, fulfilling, and one of the smartest decisions you make for yourself this year.
That said, here are six reasons why luxury senior living is still in your best interest now and in a post-COVID-19 world, along with what you should look for in a community:
1. You can remain active
Many older adults have become more isolated due to the precautions put in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Right now, many people feel uneasy being in public or unfamiliar settings, with activities canceled and familiar places temporarily closed. But then, at quality senior living communities, you don’t have to feel this way, since most organizations made it a point to plan out what a safe summer, spring, winter, and fall looks like. This means there are ample opportunities for indoor exercise and dining, lifelong learning, live entertainment, and more.
Overall, luxury senior living communities are a place to grow, not just a place to live. In general, for older adults, moving to a senior living community can help maintain and develop new social relationships, interests, or hobbies, while providing them access to on-site services and support. Thus, despite the fact that these things may all look a little different these days, they are still important parts of community life that will help you remain active.
2. The necessities are taken care of
In addition to staying active and connecting with others safely, there are safety protocols in place for getting groceries, meals, medicine, and deliveries, which means there’s really no reason for you to weather the cold and go shopping during special senior hours. High-end communities also offer home maintenance, a built-in 24/7 support system of dedicated on-site employees, housekeeping, and security. As a result, community staff can be there for your specific needs, ultimately reducing the need to rely on adult children or family members. This is especially true if you’re unable to leave your home for whatever reason – bad weather, illness/injury, or the decision to reduce your risk of infection.
3. Wellness and healthcare services
Another reason to say yes to high-end senior living communities is that they usually offer on-site medical or primary care, medication management, prescription refills, and even specialty services, including physical therapy. This means there are also fitness centers, and outdoor spaces are reserved just for residents, reducing community exposure risk. Thus, by having healthcare and wellness services integrated into the community, staff who take a whole-person approach to care, and an extra layer of protection, there’s real reassurance during these uncertain times.
4. Strict infection control policies in place
Following CDC guidelines, any common areas like lobbies, elevators, hallways, and mailrooms are regularly sanitized. Moreover, community staff members are trained to follow best practices to prevent community spread of COVID-19, and are screened before each shift for symptoms of the virus to ensure everyone’s safety. Luxury communities also typically have access to a hospital-level infection control department, which helps optimize these practices. Plus, many senior living communities have adopted testing, screening, and contact tracing for residents, staff, and visitors.
5. Safer socialization and carefree living
Moreover, the strongest senior living communities offer safer socialization than anywhere else. Thus, you can expect to see new communal practices, scheduled dining, small group gatherings, and frequent sanitation, all of which allow seniors to move about their community with confidence. Furthermore, high-end communities have also made it a point to incorporate virtual and interactive programming to ensure everyone has access to what matters. This is all while still allowing staff to facilitate safe socializing and activities that match people’s interests, allowing residents to contribute to a vibrant community.
6. Financial stability and continued care
Lastly, there’s no reason to worry about maintaining a home or its value if you opt for carefree living and become a high-end retirement community resident.
Final Thought
Ultimately, these are just a few reasons why you should seriously consider luxury senior living. While you’re mulling over your options, just keep in mind that whether you choose a luxury senior living community or not, COVID-19 has forever changed how we live and what retirement looks like. Thus, moving to the right senior living community with a host of advantages might truly be in your best interest.
