Many older adults are choosing to live in life plan communities thanks to the active, convenient lifestyles they offer. At a life plan community, residents can continue to live the engaged, fulfilling lives they’re used to at home.
However, there is one obvious difference between the two, and it’s one of the reasons people choose a life plan community over living at home: the services and amenities. With everything a retirement community provides, it’s hard to match the experience at home on your own.
If you’re thinking about moving to a life plan community, this is what you need to know about services and amenities.
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Related: What is a Life Plan Community?
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Services and Amenities at a Life Plan Community: What You Can Expect
A life plan community (formerly known as a continuing care retirement community or CCRC) typically offers a variety of services and amenities, all with the intent of making residents’ lives more convenient and enriching.
The types of services and amenities offered vary by community. In general, though, these are a some of the services and amenities that are common to most life plan communities:
- Wellness programs and fitness classes
- Housekeeping and maintenance services
- Transportation
- Utilities
- Security services
- Dining (plans will vary)
- Common areas and outdoor recreational spaces
Of course, one of the main offerings of a life plan community is the continuum of care you can find on-site. In addition to the above services and amenities, residents also have access to different tiers of healthcare options. Should they ever need it, the community provides residents the option of personal care services and long-term care.
Why Services and Amenities Matter When Choosing a Life Plan Community
Services and amenities are important when it comes to determining which life plan or continuing care retirement community is right for you. For starters, they’re a good indicator of the lifestyle of the community.
For example, if you’re looking for a community with an active lifestyle, it’s safe to assume that a community with a wellness center or outdoor recreational spaces places an emphasis on physical pursuits. If the community offers a theater room or library, you know that there will be opportunities for intellectual stimulation.
Life Plan Services and Amenities: Cost vs. Benefit
Evaluating services and amenities is also a good way to determine cost vs. benefit. Moving to a life plan community or CCRC is a significant investment. You want to make sure you’re receiving the services and amenities best suited to your lifestyle—in other words, you want to get the most bang for your buck.
For that reason, it’s a good idea to take stock of the services and amenities offered at a life plan community and ask yourself—”will they add to my quality of life? Will they complement my lifestyle? Will they make my day-to-day life more convenient and fulfilling?”
Along those same lines, take a look at the activities offered at the retirement community as those are also an indicator of what life is really like there. For example, things like fitness classes, golf competitions, book clubs and so on would indicate an active, mentally stimulating lifestyle, while things like bingo or jigsaw puzzles would indicate a more sedentary lifestyle. There’s nothing wrong with the latter, of course, but if those are the only types of activities offered, the community might not be the best fit for an active older adult.
Curious about what else you should be asking when looking at different communities? Check out our blog, 5 Questions to Consider Before Choosing a Retirement Community.
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Related: When Should I Move to a Life Plan Community?
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Resident-Driven Services and Amenities at Kendal on Hudson
The services and amenities offered at Kendal on Hudson are designed with residents in mind. Why? Because life at Kendal on Hudson is resident-driven.
Residents are given plenty of input when it comes to the community. Every resident is a member of the Residents’ Association, and there is a 13-member Residents Council and 30 resident committees. There are a wealth of opportunities for residents who want to get involved.
The following are a few examples of the services and amenities included in the entry and monthly fees:
- All utilities, except telephone, enhanced cable TV and internet (available for additional fee)
- Security and maintenance of all buildings and grounds
- Housekeeping and linen service
- Choice of flexible, gourmet meal plans
- Scheduled local transportation to Metro-North commuter rail with service to Grand Central Station in New York City, shopping, trips and physician appointments
Some of the community spaces all residents have access to include:
- Dining rooms
- Lounges
- Library
- Recreational facilities
- Art and craft studios
- Hair salon and barbershop
- Wellness center (including indoor swimming pool and fitness center)
For more information on Kendal on Hudson, contact us online or call us at 866-358-5802 today. You can also view our Kendal on Hudson brochure here.
