When it comes to senior living, Pittsburgh often outranks places traditionally thought of as meccas for seniors –beating cities in Florida and California. These lists consider factors like cost of living, crime rate, and proximity to international airports, but what makes Pittsburgh stand out is the variety of opportunities the city has for seniors to remain physically active, cerebrally engaged and socially connected.
Today’s senior living isn’t the same as it was just a generation ago. Retirement today is less about getting old and more about looking for something new. Whether it’s a new career or a new hobby, Pittsburgh’s abundance of recreation and cultural offerings make it appealing to our large population of active seniors. Plus, the presence of universities is another key factor because it may offer continuing education classes for senior citizens. Older Americans espouse to actively enjoy their retirement and are taking advantage of a living format that provides them with the time and opportunities to do so.
Paul Winkler, President and CEO of Presbyterian SeniorCare, says this region has been a driver for innovation and collaboration in senior services. “There are many examples of innovative programs that have been ‘birthed’ here – such as our Woodside Place Alzheimer’s care program, one of the first special care facilities for persons with dementia in the country.” He suggests these factors, in addition to a desirable cost of living, affordable housing and the richness of our educational, cultural and arts community, have all made Pittsburgh an attractive place to retire.
At Traditions of America (TOA) communities, more than half of their residents work full or part-time. The allure of a 55+ community for a non-retiree is that there is more time to devote to one’s professional pursuits and career when there is no longer the need to rake leaves, shovel snow, or find a roofer. Since so many of these residential communities promote wellness and an “active” approach to living, it stands to reason that they offeramenities that preclude the need to go elsewhere in search of sport or leisure. This too is an attractive option to someone who works full days and has little time left over to battle traffic and parking in the search for a gym or a masseuse. When a sports facility or spa is yards away from one’s front door, there is less excuse making and much more action.
St. Barnabas Retirement Communities in Gibsonia and Valencia believe that on-campus facilities are what make modern-day retirement communities appealing to more and more prospects. St. Barnabas has gone to great lengths in building a reputation for their on-site facilities that are state-of-the-art and quite unique. An indoor mall, multiple restaurants, credit unions, ATM’s, salons, auditoriums, gift shops, stores, a wood shop, billiards, putting greens, bocce ball courts, fishing ponds, walking trails, and an indoor conservatory pool are anything but banal on-site attractions. Such facilities definitely do not conjure ideas of inactive, complacent living, which may be why more and more people in their early senior years are attracted.
There are also professional and financial advantages for “younger” residents, especially when still in the workforce. Many 55+ communities are located near major highways and transportation corridors, making access to Downtown and the airport easier, quicker, and more straightforward. Also, buying a “retirement” home earlier in life allows one to accumulate more equity in what could be your last owned property. It’s a consideration that is best made when not under the pressure of immediate need.
The Simple Life
If you’re working, traveling, and very busy, maintenance free is the way to go. Though not all who are looking for 55+ housing will choose to move into an age-restricted community, there is something to be said for taking the first step towards making life easier, and that would be downsizing and one-level living. Pittsburgh has a large older population, so buying a home with a first-floor master bedroom is a huge draw, as is the fact that by living on a single level, it’s so much easier to clean and maintain your home.
It’s a matter of practicality: if a family is looking to downsize and take responsibility off the agenda, single-level living in a low maintenance community (townhomes, condos, etc.) is useful.
Determining a Community That is Right for You
If a buyer prefers something more involved than single-level, low maintenance living, then an age-restricted retirement community should be considered. Get to know the different options, however. Terms like “assisted living” or “retirement community” are often used interchangeably, but they all stand for distinctly different living formats. To determine what kind of community is right for a homeowner’s needs, one must be careful to acknowledge these differences and to be aware of what each offer.
Retirement communities reference home plans that are restricted to homeowners 55 years of age and older. This can be a single-family home, condominium, duplex, townhome, or any other housing structure that also employs on-site amenities for its residents’ enjoyment (e.g. spas, gyms, clubhouses, outdoor pools, etc.). A maintenance fee is usually collected to maintain the grounds and the facilities. Retirement communities are not health-related communities, and do not offer medical assistance or care.
In many 55+ communities, specific architectural standards are upheld, which protects market value and prevents aesthetic unsightliness.
When living in a 55+ community, there is economy of scale as well. These communities are able to contract for landscaping and snow removal services at a lower cost than an individual homeowner might purchase on his own. Residents enjoy luxurious amenities—heated swimming pools, saunas, whirlpool spas, fitness centers, Pilates studios, etc.—at a fraction of the price they would pay for a club membership.
Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC) offer a spectrum of living options that include medical care if needed. Assisted living and independent living fall within this category. Individuals can take advantage of meal plan options, linen service, and medical care. A resident can enter at the independent living level, but graduate to higher levels of assistance if needed, (i.e. a skilled nursing facility on site).
Friendship Village in the South Hills believes that CCRCs give people a chance to move to a community they can comfortably remain in as they age. Moving once, and only once, is a huge draw to those who want to eschew the hassle of packing up and transporting their lives when they need more aggressive medical care or supervision. Financially, Friendship Village makes sense for those looking to receive a return on their investment. They offer a return of capital plans that protect an asset while simultaneously protecting the estate from the high costs of nursing care. Residents here can choose from a 90% return or a 50% return plan, and that asset is returned to them via their estate, or if they move.
Different communities will have different payment options, so if a potential resident fears being locked into a longterm contract, there are some CCRCs that offer alternatives.
UPMC’s Senior Communities, such as the complete CCRC at Cumberland Woods Village, offer month-to-month contracts if an individual is uncomfortable with making a front-loaded investment for his retirement housing. In general, administration understands that plans may change, so they’ve devised contracts that cater to this common concern. Regardless, the benefits seem to outweigh the contractual fears and residents are happy to have a broader plan in place for the future.
Power in Numbers
It has been proven that a strong social network contributes to a healthier and longer life. Winkler cites a ten-year study by MacArthur Foundation that showed that 70 percent of physical aging and 50 percent of mental aging are determined by lifestyle, the choices we make every day. “First and foremost, continuing care communities are about lifestyle and healthy aging,” he says.
At Longwood at Oakmont, one of Presbyterian SeniorCare’s communities, people are often shocked at the level of activity and interaction amongst residents. “We focus on meaningful, active engagement across various aspects of “Successful Living,” Winkler says, “including social, intellectual, physical and spiritual.” Such engagement includes anything from lectures and classes to yoga and meditation.
Friends are more than a means of entertainment or diversion: they can reduce the risk of dementia, keep your brain functioning strategically and nimbly, contribute to a sense of well-being and serenity, positively affect your exercise routine, and be the greatest source of healing during times of mental, emotional, or physical pain or anguish. Some research has found that spending time with friends can add as much as 10 years to an individual’s lifespan.
Perhaps the biggest advantage that homeowners find from living in a 55+ community is the strong social aspect. Residents generally have more direct contact with their neighbors than they would if living in a traditional single-family home. Because the home, activity centers, and most of the facilities used on a daily basis are within the boundaries of the community, it is likely that the repeated encounters with peers lead to very deep, long- term friendships.
“Recent studies have also shown that high levels of physical and mental stimulation are effective in combating depression- often associated with physical illnesses and caregiving burden- as well as dementia,” Winkler points out.
Age is Truly a State of Mind
Many of us have grown up with the mindset that by 60, we’ve paid our dues, done our part, and must make way for the “new” generation. Luckily, this doesn’t have to be the case. With people now living longer than they ever have in history, making the move to a 55+ community or CCRC isn’t a concession, rather it’s choosing to make the most out of one’s current life stage. That’s anything but apathetic and compromising.
By delegating some daily responsibility to professionals if we so choose, a plethora of opportunities are presented to get out and live more than a person in their 30’s could. It’s this level of convenience that retirement communities strive to uphold.
Much of the success residents find living in these communities relies on their ability to add perspective to the situation. Most of us living on the outside aren’t familiar with the programming and social activity that occurs within these neighborhoods, so we have drawn conclusions that are often incorrect. To take the best of what life and a community can offer an individual at every stage in their life is at the core of finding sustaining happiness. Age is truly a state of mind.
The Intangibles
Residents at Friendship Village and Traditions of America agree that leaving their current amenities is a non-option because the format has become an integral part of their daily existence. “I get security, companionship, stimulation, and all of my needs met,” one resident proclaims. “There is so much to do and a variety of things to choose from—I am much busier.” Since Friendship Village is a CCRC, future medical care needs are virtually preplanned, and nursing care is immediately available.
Both communities are agreeable to their respective residents for different reasons, but the common denominator is the relief of responsibility. There is much to be said for walking away from the drudgery of home maintenance to make free time for pleasure and pastimes that are difficult to pursue when working long work weeks and raising a family. Some people believe that moving to a community is somehow giving in to the idea of aging; however, the lifestyle only serves to enhance one’s enjoyment of living and to maintain, or create, a true sense of well being. mg
Helpful Hints for Selecting a Retirement Community
- Make a list of what you might be looking for in a retirement community. This may change as you move forward, but it’s a good start.
- Write out the questions about the retirement communities you’re interested in.
- Use the Internet – even if you need someone to help you — or the phone book to select three to five retirement homes that appeal to you.
- Request an information package from each facility you plan to visit, and acquaint yourself with the information on each facility.
- Take a tour of the facilities that interest you. Take note of the place, especially your all-important first impressions. Is the place well maintained and inviting? How do the residents look? Do they look well cared for? What sounds do you hear or odors do you detect? How do staff members treat residents?
- Have a relative or friend accompany you on your tours. Such a person may pick up on items you might tend to overlook.
- Pay attention to how the welcoming staff members treat you. Are they courteous? Unhurried? Do they maintain good eye contact with you? Offer you a beverage?
- Make sure you understand all the details of living at the retirement facilities you visit, including the ins and outs of the financial arrangements.
It’s All in the Planning
Because moving to a retirement community involves critical decision-making, you owe it to yourself to plan for this transition with the utmost care.
AREA AGENCIES ON AGING
Allegheny County Area Agency on Aging
441 Smithfield St., Pittsburgh, PA 15222
412-350-4234 or 800-344-4319
www.aging.state.pa.us/aging
Beaver County Area Agency on Aging
1020 8th Ave., Beaver, PA 15010
724-728-7707
www.aging.state.pa.us/aging
Butler County Area Agency on Aging
111 Sunnyview Circle, Suite 101 Butler, PA 16001
724-282-3008
www.aging.state.pa.us/aging
Southwestern Area Agency on Aging
(including Fayette and Washington Counties)
Mon Valley Community Health Center
Eastgate 8, Monessen, PA 15062 724-684-
9000 or 800-342-8980
www.aging.state.pa.us/aging
Westmoreland County Area Agency on Aging
200 S. Main St., Greensburg, PA 15601
724-830-4444 or 800-442-8000
www.aging.state.pa.us/aging
