By Susan Elise Campbell
Aging baby boomers continue to represent a growing population in the Capital District and up the Northway, especially in the Glens Falls region. But seniors moving from their homes to an independent living situation have not changed as much demographically over the past five or 10 years as one may have thought.
“If anything, they are entering senior living later and later in life because they are active longer, due to medication and the wellness impact on the community,” said Andrea Hebert, executive director of The Glen at Hiland Meadows in Queensbury, an Eddy Senior Living Community.
On the other hand, for those anxious to shed the responsibilities and costs of maintaining a house and yard, age is less of a factor.
“We do see residents seeking us out at a younger age than they may have 20 years ago, partly because this type of independent living situation didn’t exist a generation ago,” said Kellie Postlethwaite, general manager at Prestwick Chase in Saratoga Springs.
Nursing homes were the common option then, and Postlethwaite said many people still do not understand the difference between what is now called enhanced assisted living and independent senior living, such as The Glen and Prestwick Chase provide.
Adult living communities encourage residents to pursue their interests and to come and go as they please. Staying active is the opposite of a stereotypical rocking-chair, sedentary lifestyle, the latter an image of seniors that continues to linger, Postlethwaite said.
“Independence means more than maintenance-free living,” said Hebert. “It can also mean not climbing stairs and having transportation needs met and meals prepared, if that is what residents seek.”
Entering a senior community sooner would allow pursuing their goal of independence sooner, said Hebert.
“Downsizing into an apartment is difficult, but I wish people would realize that coming a little sooner would give them a lot of freedom,” she said.
One current trend may be that seniors want larger apartments than in the past. Hebert said The Glen built a new wing with 28 larger units a few years ago because they found “even a single individual likes an open floor plan and more space.”
Some who are selling the homes they raised their families in are experiencing higher valuations than ever, but that is not their main reason to transition out of homes and into independent living. The primary motivators are socialization, maintenance-free living, and the influence of their children.
“The housing market may be a factor for a few, but the majority have already made their decision,” Postlethwaite said. “They may have an affliction where they cannot do stairs or have taken the step to be closer to family.”
“More and more of our 65 to 70-year-olds are deciding they want to live an active life,” she said. “Often it is the children driving the decision because independent living allows their parents to be not only nearby, but also comfortable and safe.”
Isolation during Covid impacted the physical and mental health of the older population and Postlethwaite said that, without question, seniors today want and need to be among other people.
Many residents at The Glen chose to live there because their friends do, Hebert said, and they are striking new friendships, too.
Seniors have plenty of opportunity to socialize at independent living facilities. Residents make the most of their golden years by getting involved in activities both on and off campus, said the experts.
“Every resident engages in a different way,” Hebert said. “Some go to the local senior center for association and many are interested in staying involved in activities they long enjoyed, like hiking or knitting.”
“Some residents do a bottle collection to raise money for a local high school marathon, some sew and stuff pillows for hospital patients, others do roadside cleanup twice a year,” said Postlethwaite.
Both facilities have activities directors who plan anything from painting and games in-house to music performances and theater at local venues.
Postlethwaite oversees the travel planning at Prestwick Chase, where groups of 12 to 16 people can take a more extensive trip. There is also a resident council that gives input on places to visit.
Hebert said that a few residents at The Glen continue to work part-time. The population is in their 70s to 90s and older, are “highly intelligent,” and come from backgrounds such as teaching, medicine, engineering, and other professions.
As the time to move approaches, the communities have staff to help make transitioning smoother.
“We encourage people to take a tour, come in as many times as they want, try the food, and visit with the residents,” Postlethwaite said.
She said one draw of Prestwick Chase is that “there are three restaurants under the direction of an executive chef, not a food service company.” It is also the only such community with a liquor license, she said.
Given there are wait lists for the apartments and cottages at The Glen at Hiland Meadows, prospective residents take advantage of The Eddy’s Stoddard Club. Membership them to participate in meals and activities until their space is available and ready, while making transitioning to their new living situation and meeting new people easier, Hebert said.
Residents do need to do some homework as they decide where to live and which amenities to choose, as pricing structures differ from place to place.
Visit eddyseniorliving.com and prestwickchase.com for more information.