Healthy Aging in a Life Plan Community

Live and age well

We all know diet, exercise, and socialization are vital components of a healthy lifestyle. 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 and pessimism.

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.

How Senior Living 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.

For example, senior living residents no longer have to worry about cooking healthy meals three times a day. Many life plan communities offer a high-quality dining experience with freshly made, nutritious meals for residents to enjoy. You’ll maintain the healthy diet necessary for your active lifestyle, plus you’ll be able to chat with friends and neighbors over breakfast or a restaurant-style dinner.

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.

No matter what your interests or goals for retirement are, a senior living community has the lifestyle you’re looking for to age gracefully in place. Say goodbye to all the hassles and frustrations of home maintenance and welcome all the amenities, features, and wellness programming a life plan community has to offer.

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.

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 Senior Living communities or to schedule a tour, please contact us at (320) 335-8786 or fill out an online form. 

Last updated: August 30, 2023 | By: Kaylee Yamry