Across the United States the number of solo agers, defined as older adults who live alone, and lack adult children to rely on, is increasing.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2021, close to a third of older adults in the U.S. fell into this group, and those numbers have increased with the continued graying of our population. For many, this shift brings unique challenges around independence, social connections, and access to care.
Insights from the Mather Age Well Study of CCRCs
In 2017, the Mather Institute teamed up with Northwestern University to develop a study that would quantify the impact of living at a continuing care retirement community, also called Life Plan communities. The Age Well Study offers insights into how people who chose this senior living option aged over time compared to older adults living in the community at large. The 5-year report followed more than 8,200 residents from 122 Life Plan Communities nationwide.
It revealed important findings about health and wellness:
- Residents of Life Plan Communities consistently reported better physical, emotional, intellectual, social, and vocational wellness than their community-dwelling peers.
- From Year 1 to Year 5, social contact among residents significantly increased, highlighting the benefits of community living.
- Engagement in intellectual activities such as writing and attending educational programs also significantly increased among residents, while it declined among older adults living outside these communities.
These findings underscore the positive impact that an engaging, supportive environment can have on aging well, especially for solo agers.
The Health Impact of Loneliness on Seniors
Research shows that loneliness can profoundly affect health, cognition, and emotional well-being in older adults. Chronic loneliness is linked to increased risks of heart disease, depression, cognitive decline, and even premature mortality. For solo agers, the absence of a close support network can intensify feelings of isolation, making social engagement and community connections critical components of healthy aging.
How CCRCs Support Independent Aging
Continuing care retirement or Life Plan communities are physically and programmatically designed to create opportunities for purposeful living with a strong focus on well-being.
In general, residents of senior living communities enjoy greater access to friends and neighbors right outside their door, more opportunities to engage in events and programs without having to drive, and staff whose focus is on supporting an active, independent lifestyle.
- Engaged Living: Residents of quality Life Plan communities enjoy a lively social atmosphere where it’s easy to join group events, clubs, outings, and more, building friendships that enrich life. Personalized fitness and wellness programs are led by experts right on campus. Plus, these programs are designed to maintain and improve mobility, helping you stay active and independent. The convenience of community-based engagement takes on greater importance as mobility or driving becomes more difficult or long-time friend groups shrink.
- Fostering Independence: With maintenance-free living, seniors can focus doing the activities you love and trying new experiences. Unexpected repairs and the cost of home ownership become a thing of the past, replaced by one monthly bill that covers the majority of a resident’s expenses. On-site health services support solo agers’ goal to remain as independent as possible for as long as possible.
A Westminster Communities of Florida Resident Shares
A resident of Westminster Palms in St. Petersburg has this to say about her decision to join community living: “I am doing so much more here than I did while I lived in my individual home without the responsibility of taking care of that home. There are classes of all kinds here … two of which I have the opportunity to teach and share my talent. The residents here seem very intelligent and are just as kind and friendly as can be.”
Likewise, a resident of Westminster Towers in Orlando says: “I love being part of community that is looking out for each other. I enjoy attending activities provided for us from outings to restaurants, museums, theatre, trips out of town, to the activities provided on the campus like entertainment, art classes, lecturers, exercise classes, spiritual discussions and many more. If you get bored here, it’s your choice!”
If you’ve been considering senior living, we encourage you to explore your options. Westminster Communities of Florida offers senior living in Bradenton, Lakeland, Jacksonville, Orlando, St. Augustine, St. Petersburg, and Tallahassee. Contact us. We’re happy to answer your questions.
