Senior Living: Home Creative Home

Moving to a senior living community may mean that tasks such as downsizing will need to be addressed, but it doesn’t signify that an interest in home decorating, DIY projects, crafting, collecting, hobbies or gardening must be curtailed. More than likely, you’ll now have even more time to devote to such interests (or develop new ones)!

Thanks to the very talented and creative residents of local retirement communities, you can learn how they navigated the challenge of downsizing, designed beautiful (and meaningful) living spaces using furnishings and décor from their previous homes, continued to pursue favorite hobbies and artistic endeavors and, most importantly, embraced this new phase of life.

Explore Retirement Living

October 19, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

If you or a loved one are contemplating making the move to a retirement community, put October 19 on your calendar. The annual tour will see 17 communities – many featured on the following pages – open their doors to visitors. Through the tour, you’ll understand why Lancaster County is regarded as a top place (#3 this year) to retire in the United States, per U.S. News & World Report. The results were based on such criteria as cost of living, taxes, superior healthcare, access to cultural activities and the happiness factor.

Visitors are encouraged to bring along friends and family members whose advice they respect. Plan to spend at least an hour at the communities you wish to visit. You’re also advised to wear comfortable shoes, as walking distances will vary. Questions are welcome and follow-up visits can certainly be arranged.

Be sure to bring your appetite! You will be invited to sample food and beverages along the way. No doubt, you’ll discover that Lancaster’s senior-living communities have upped the ante where dining out on campus is concerned. As a result, you’ll see gorgeous restaurants (many now open to the public), cozy cafés and coffee shops, plant-shrouded outdoor-dining venues, health-conscious take-outs and upscale wine bars.

Those who are health-conscious will marvel at the fitness facilities that exist on the campuses, offering swimming pools, classes, weight training, cycle studios and yes, pickleball!

You’ll also learn about the clubs, activities and cultural offerings that abound. If you don’t already have a hobby or area of interest, no worries! You’re bound to find new horizons to explore.

For details, visit exploreretirementliving.org.