The Three Most Important Retirement Community Amenities Seniors Want Today
By Eric Eichhorst, Director of Sales and Marketing
Since 2004, I’ve devoted my career to senior retirement living. Since I started my career 12 years ago, believe me, times have changed. Here in Freehold Township, I talk every day with retirees and families about what they are looking for in their next home that will meet their interests and needs.
Seniors today have different priorities compared to just five or 10 years ago. They have no intention of living life on the sidelines just because they are retired from the workforce. To meet those needs, these are the most popular “must have” items buyers are looking for in an active senior living community:
Home sweet high-end home
Retirees today enjoy entertaining—family, neighbors, friends, and hobby groups. To comfortably accommodate several guests, they need fewer walls and more open floor plans (where the host isn’t cut off from guests while working in the kitchen.)
Details matter–resilient, high-end finishes like solid surface countertops, stainless steel appliances, sophisticated lighting, modern flooring and good-looking hardware top seniors’ wish lists.
A conveniently located laundry area with space to fold clothing, along with spacious, well-lighted closets are also in demand to enhance functionality and organization.
See the open floor plan designs of our apartments and cottages
“We’ve got to move it, move it”
Since today’s seniors understand that practicing wellness for mind and body will help ward off illness and disease. To maintain health, mobility and a positive mental outlook, they are looking for more modern fitness opportunities like one-on-one personal training. Stretching and strengthening works-outs, like tai chi and water aerobics, promote calorie-burning, balance and flexibility.
Applewood residents use tai chi for stretching, balance and movement
Learning for fun
Many of our Applewood residents have advanced degrees in a variety of specialties—education, law, business, engineering, science and technology. But in retirement, people are enthusiastically pursuing completely different interests—the lawyer wants to become a chef; the teacher wants to study painting.
To address this need, Applewood offers a wealth of lifelong learning programs, ranging from on-site programs, such as the Culinary Institute of Applewood (CIA) and Brookdale Community College courses, to university-based classes as the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Rutgers University.
Today, there is so much to enjoy in retirement, at home and at play. An important part of my job is to ensure that we offer our seniors the services and amenities they are looking for today—and in years to come.
My job satisfaction comes from our residents and their families telling me that Applewood senior living is one of the best things that ever happened to them.
To accomplish this, our staff’s collective goal is to exceed every resident’s expectations by offering a truly unrivaled lifestyle, set in an elegant and comfortable atmosphere.
We’d be happy to tell you more about Applewood, a unique continuing care retirement community (CCRC) located in Freehold Township, Monmouth County, New Jersey. To schedule a visit or find out more, call 732-303-7416.