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If you’re retired or soon to be, and have been considering housing options, you’ve certainly come across the term ‘senior living’ and likely the term ‘active adult’ as well. As such, you may be wondering, are they just two different terms for the same thing? Yes and no. What we mean is yes, active adult is considered a type of senior living. But no, it definitely isn’t what you’re familiar with in senior living as active adult communities are about lifestyle rather than care. Perfect for active adults who are 55+, as the name suggests. Here’s how active adult differs from other types of senior living and how it can help you make the most of retirement.

Active Adult versus Other Types of Senior Living

You could consider a senior living community an umbrella term for different types of care that traditionally include independent living, assisted living, and memory care. If you think of them as a continuum then independent living would be the entry point as it is heavily focused around lifestyle as well. This type of senior living typically provides upscale accommodations, maintenance-free living with home upkeep, housekeeping, meals, and transportation provided, along with plenty of amenities, as well as a full calendar of social events, activities, and enrichment opportunities.

Assisted living offers many of the same features as independent living in terms of accommodations and lifestyle. However, the primary difference is that this type of senior living provides support with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and medication management, as well as 24-hour staffing.

Memory care is a type of senior living that is designed just for those with Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia. Here you’ll find specially-trained staff onsite 24/7 to support residents and help them to find joy and purpose in each day with programs tailored to their cognitive abilities. The environment is also secure, yet calming and comfortable.

Active adult is most similar to independent living in that it caters to senior independent living communities (there is no onsite support with daily activities) and are interested in a more vibrant, social lifestyle with people of similar age as well as plenty of opportunities to enjoy life with a range of events, activities, classes, clubs, and more. While active adult communities also similarly feature upscale accommodations (some even offer single-family homes), and resort-like amenities, they do differ in that maintenance-free typically only extends to home maintenance and yard upkeep, not weekly housekeeping, and daily meals as in independent living.

Active retirement living

In our active adult communities, residents love the independence, convenience, elevated touches, and daily bustle that makes retirement everything it should be with features that include:

• Luxury studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom floorplans
• 24-hour staffing
• A fitness center, daily exercise classes and on-site certified personal trainer
• 24-hour Stay Sharp Center with computers
• Happy Hours
• A farm to table culinary experience with gluten-free and diabetic friendly menu options
• Flexible, open dining
• Classes, clubs, seminars, and intergenerational activities
• Housekeeping
• Personal laundry
• Transportation
• Hair Salon
• Bistro
• Movie Theatre
• And more!

But what’s truly unique here is our commitment to supporting your body, mind, and spirit through our signature Whole Life Living TM program. It’s a personalized, holistic approach to wellness, that takes our belief that a healthier life is a happier life, and puts it into action through four facets:

• Eat better – Healthy, fresh, and made-from scratch meals including gluten-free, vegetarian, and diabetic options.
• Feel better – Complimentary on-site certified personal trainer and fitness center.
• Think better – Stay Sharp lifelong learning programs.
• Live better – Regular opportunities to pursue purpose.

All are grounded in a socially connected environment. Over the past five years, our increased lengths of stay tell us we’re now on the right path.

For more information on active adult retirement living at GenCare Lifestyle TM, schedule a tour today.