When kids have flown the nest and the next phase of life begins, it’s time to think about lifestyle and priorities. Fortunately, the Upstate has a wealth of options for people whether they want to live with complete independence or they want as much help as possible — or if they want a community where they can have both.
Amanda Barbera, owner and senior living advisor at Oasis Senior Advisors Greenville, says it’s never too early to begin thinking about how you want to live in your later years.
“I’ve talked to people who aren’t looking to move now, but they want to know their options,” Barbera says. “A lot of people look ahead, and it never hurts to come up with a financial plan.”
She says people tend to start looking at the community side: independent living communities. “These are basically for someone 55-plus who may not want to do all the chores in their home, or do upkeep on the house,” Barbera says. “They may want more of a social life, surrounded by people their age, so they’ll go into an independent living community.”
That’s exactly what Bonnie Lou Roberts, 84, was looking for when she moved to Maple Brook Terrace Retirement Community in March of 2021. “I was maturing, and I didn’t want to keep up with the condo I was in,” she says. “And I have a daughter who lives right around the corner, so that’s nice.”
She loves that she can cook in her kitchen if she wants to, or she can head down to the dining room for a meal. “And I like the camaraderie, and making new friends,” she adds.
Luis Serrano, president and CEO of Sunshine Retirement Living, which owns Maple Brook Terrace, says since opening in August of 2020, the community is 80 percent occupied—despite COVID-19.
“The number of people 65-plus and 85-plus is growing exponentially,” Serrano says. “The population will almost double in the next 30 years, so we need more buildings like this one.”
He says residents get all of the benefits of socialization, activities, meals when needed and cleaning staff, along with safety when needed, including emergency life pendants and a person available at all hours to offer assistance if needed.
Preparing for the future
Barbera says the other two categories, when independent living isn’t suitable, are assisted living and memory care communities. With assisted living, residents can get help with daily activities, and memory care facilities focus on providing care for people with advanced dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Some communities offer a blend of all three types.
“That’s a big buzzword in the industry: aging in place,” she says. “It means that you can move in and receive a continuation of care. You might start with independent living, and then 10 years later, you might need assisted living, and 10 years after that, memory care. It’s a good solution because you can move to these communities and live there for decades, and you make friends, and you don’t ever have to move.”
Rolling Green Village has made it a priority to offer a variety of living options, from completely independent living to health services and memory care.
“The biggest benefit to seniors moving into a Life Plan Community (formerly known as a Continuing Care Community) is you have put a plan in place for you and your spouse as you age, and also, you have gifted your children because they do not have to figure out what you need in a health crisis,” says Ruth Wood, marketing director at Rolling Green Village.
The community offers stand-alone patio homes and apartments that offer independent living, but without maintenance worries, and with the benefit of restaurant-style dining, a health club membership and a full calendar of events and programs.
If later needs arise, health services include assisted living, skilled nursing, rehabilitation and memory care.
“The key benefit of someone coming ‘sooner rather than later’ is all about the math,” Wood says. “When you come sooner and set up a lifestyle that is active, mentally challenging and connected, research shows you can actually increase your independent years by as much as 10 years.”
She has been working at Rolling Green Village for 17 years and says she has never heard anyone say they moved in too young. She says she has heard many, many people say, “I should have done this five years sooner.”
