Something for Everyone in Retirement Living

It might be hard to imagine how we will fill our time when retirement is finally upon us. A recent Super Bowl commercial featured seniors in a retirement home playing bingo, an image that undoubtedly comes to mind for many of us when we think of what happens within a retirement community’s four walls.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

Bingo may be on the social calendar, but it’s only one of numerous options available for those who choose independent living, assisted living, retirement living – almost all levels of senior care facilities fittingly provide a wide variety of things to do, given the diverse individuals who reside therein.

When it comes to what kind of retirement they desire or what type of senior living community they’d consider, everyone is different. Had a busy work and family life? Maybe relaxing in a resort-style setting with the option of weekly shopping trips, golf outings, or monthly movie matinees sounds ideal. Perhaps you never had a chance to pursue an advanced degree or would just love to sit in on some academic classes or lectures: There are many senior living communities that have partnered with local universities to provide these opportunities to residents, either on campus or off. Some just look forward to giving up the household chores and regaining that time, effort, and energy to direct elsewhere.

While a great deal of where you choose to spend your retirement years depends on how you’ll be paying for it and what kind of care you need (or in anticipation of these future needs), the reality is that there are possibilities beyond just the sterile, often unwelcoming nursing homes of the 1950s. Today, there are choices that allow consumers to have more control, to tailor their retirement experience to better suit their needs and preferences. An added benefit: Family and friends are more inclined to visit when the community feels less like a hospital and more like a resort or home.

The Village at Victory Lakes in Lindenhurst, Illinois, is one of these warm and inviting places. Surrounded by trees and furnished with several walking paths and patios for resident enjoyment, the 38-acre campus hums with activity: There’s a country store offering coffee and freshly baked pastries, a bank, a Great Room for social gatherings large and small, a beauty salon, an arts and crafts studio, and a computer center, all of which comprise the 30,000-square-foot Village Center. Develop new relationships and form friendships around common interests, enjoy fine dining and a hassle-free lifestyle (i.e., someone else does the housework), or just take advantage of the down time and curl up with a good book in your private apartment. Like many modern-day retirement communities, The Village at Victory Lakes encourages individuals to pursue the retirement they desire.

Because it is a continuing care retirement community (CCRC), there are multiple levels of housing and care from which to choose – or to transition into should the need arise. Independent living apartments, assisted living units, and nursing home rooms are all in one convenient location. Respite services, specialized Alzheimer’s care, rehabilitation, and therapy programs are also part of The Village at Victory Lakes, a community with a long history dating back to the area’s first Catholic nursing home, founded by the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago in 1894.

The Village at Victory Lakes is one of hundreds of retirement communities in the state of Illinois. Consider these tips for choosing the best senior living community – either for yourself or a senior relative or friend:

1. Know what you want. There will always be conflicting opinions from well-meaning friends and family, but it’s important to decide what kind of community you prefer before beginning the search (large vs. small, intimate and friendly vs. independent and distant, in your hometown or in a new area, private pay or accepts different types of health insurance, etc.).
2. Know what the community provides, and how much these features and services cost. Do you need assistance with daily tasks? Want weekly housekeeping services? A full meal plan? Find out what services are included and what will be charged in addition to your monthly rent.
3. Visit the community in person. Don’t just rely on the website, a brochure, or what you’ve read here. If you’re interested in a particular community, check it out in person, perhaps even several times, before making it your home.

Get more information about other senior living communities in the Illinois region here.