Austin Retirement Living: The Golden Years

Seniors across the nation have more options than ever when it comes to choosing their retirement accommodations. It’s a growing trend that has not escaped the Greater Austin area.

A major benefit offered by some communities is the ability for residents to receive upgraded levels of service in one location as their needs evolve. Larger companies often operate several communities in a single market that enable residents to relocate within the network should their needs change.

In general, there are four different types of senior living communities. Residents of Independent Living communities lead vibrant, active lives with ample opportunities to socialize and interact with their peers. Assisted Living communities provide special housing and care options for those who require some assistance with the activities of daily living, or graduated levels of care.

Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care communities provide safe and secure environments in which trained professionals deliver innovative and specialized care.

Hospitality is a major component of the senior living experience as extraordinary service means more than adherence to clinical details. Residents of senior living communities make the conscious decision to pursue health and fulfillment and they seek the community that can best meet their evolving care needs as they age.

The more desirable communities are designed and operated to exceed resident expectations by providing the highest quality living accommodations, services and care. Residents and their families look to senior living communities for healthy living, camaraderie, peace of mind and the many advantages as opposed to living alone.

A warm climate, plentiful golf courses and parks, walking trails, bicycle paths, extensive health-care facilities, unlimited educational opportunities—the Austin area has everything retirees want as they redirect professional energy into more elective activities. Here active seniors can work their way down the list of everything they intended to do during retirement. They can even add to the list classes, clubs, organizations, churches and countless restaurants and music venues—all in a gorgeous Hill Country setting with an annual average 300 days of sunshine. In the September/October 2007 issue of AARP, the magazine chose Austin as one of the Top Places to Retire in the United States. They cited the extraordinary array of opportunities for continuing education. In addition to the concerts, dance recitals, lectures and art exhibitions open to the public, most of them free. The university has three programs designed especially for seniors.