Activities can define a retirement community. Learn more about the different activities these communities can provide.

What is an active adult community? While we can define it based on age restrictions—home to anyone 55 or older—that’s not what draws people to these communities. Many gated communities can fit that definition easily. The same goes with many other features that retirees like: Low-maintenance housing, nice amenities shared by the community, and a central location. 

Instead, what makes an active adult community is its activities. In other words, the events and such where retirees and seniors can spend time together. While you may be able to just meet your neighbors and get along with them, it takes organized events and activities to really get to know the people around you, especially if they live a little further down the street or may be a little less sociable. With the right activities, you can feel at home living in these communities.

Different Types of Activities for Active Adults

When looking at retirement communities and such, you’ll want programming that fits your active lifestyle as much as possible. But what that means can vary. Sometimes you want to spend your free time being outdoors. Other times, you may want to learn something you couldn’t when you were still in the workforce. Still others, you may want to kick back, relax, and spend time with people in your neighborhood. The ideal active adult community will have programming that suits your needs. Here are some examples of activities you can do.

Music is a great way to connect with other retirees such as yourself. If you have a knack for singing or playing an instrument, some communities will have active choirs and bands for you to join. You’ll get a chance to perform like you always have to a crowd that will support you. Never got the chance to start playing? It’s never too late to learn, with many communities offering music classes. Of course, if you’d rather watch than play, retirement communities will offer regular concerts, including cover bands that will play some of your favorite songs.

If you’re looking to join an active adult community close to a major airport, it’s probably because you still want to see the world after retirement. But many communities will support your travel dreams regardless of where you are. They run travel groups that allow you to visit places around the country and the world, often at a discount. It makes it easy for you to see the sights without feeling alone, while also staying affordable. In addition, many places offer on-site travel agents that allow you to plan your next trip, with or without friends in the community.

Retirement’s the best time to learn a new hobby, and what better time to do that than in a community that supports both doing and learning new crafts. Many have hobby centers that include studios for practicing woodworking, pottery, glassmaking, and more. They will also host classes to learn these crafts, allowing you to showcase that creativity to members of the community. 

In life, you never stop learning something new every day. But if you’re more curious about the world, then many active adult communities offer lifelong learning opportunities. These take the form of regular classes on many subjects, whether it’s American history or marine biology. These take the form of structured courses lasting several weeks, though you won’t necessarily get a surprise quiz or exam. Of course, in certain communities, especially those in college towns, they’ll have partnerships with the local university, so you can actually earn credit towards a college degree.

Of course, being active can mean getting physical. But that can also mean doing more than just taking a jog on the walking trails or a daily bike ride. Exercise classes are standard fare at retirement communities, but many go further with sports and strength training. You can join a pickleball club, or spend time with a hiking group climbing a nearby mountain. Of course, if you prefer low-key physical activity, there’s always swimming classes and tai chi.

Benefits of Having Many Active Adult Activities

When you join an active adult community with great programs, your life will feel enriched in many ways. First, you’ll meet and earn lifelong friends within the community, based on your common interests. Second, you’ll feel like part of the community, being more closely connected to those around you. Your neighbors will get to know you better. Next, it’s a healthy way to stay active, as you’ll have something that keeps you going. Finally, you’ll never get bored.

When it comes to finding activities that suit your active lifestyle, the tricky part is finding the right community that suits your needs. Thankfully, Kithward can help with our selection of active adult communities that you can view and book a tour with.

What Makes Retirement Communities? Activities, Of Course!

Is your house feeling too big, cluttered, or expensive to maintain? Learn more about downsizing when you retire.

On the verge of retirement, it’s important to think about what you want to do with your home. While many retirees hope to age in place, that may not always be the best idea. Your home may feel too big, have become cluttered, or is simply a hassle to maintain. Whether you want to stay put, or sell your home and move into a retirement community, it’s important to consider downsizing. It helps make your life easier and makes things less stressful for you and your family, regardless of what you do or where you go.

Downsizing is moving to a smaller home or reducing the amount of space you take up in your home. It’s often tied in with decluttering, where you pare down what you have so it takes up less space than usual. Downsizing doesn’t mean a change in the quality of life you have, merely the amount of space your life takes up.

It’s very common to downsize: According to a Merrill Lynch survey, 51% of retirees who move from their old home downsize, compared to 30% who upsize and 19% who move to a similar-sized home. 

Downsizing becomes important if and when you decide to move to a 55+ community such as a life plan community. Moving can be a stressful time for you and your family, and you have to consider how much you really want to take with you to your new home. It can also be a factor if you need to make an emergency move, especially after a health crisis.

Of course, the reasons you may want to consider downsizing after retirement sometimes may have little to do with where you’re going and what you want to do, and more about what you have now. You may have spent years living in this house, but it may be time to change. The kids are no longer home, and even if you use one of their rooms as a guest room, they’re typically empty. You likely no longer need as many of your possessions as you did years ago. You may keep an active lifestyle, but getting around a big house like yours can be a hassle. On top of all this, it’s expensive to maintain your home, especially now that you’re retired. When you consider all these reasons, downsizing may be the best option.

Of course, downsizing isn’t for every retiree or senior. While there are many reasons to downsize, there are other reasons that will compel you to stay put. You may want to stay close to your family, or you’re still an active part of your community. Regardless, there are questions to ask yourself before you consider downsizing. Even if you choose to stay, asking these questions may help you declutter your home so you can have a better living situation.

When you first bought your home, you probably had a clear vision of what your lifestyle would look like: Raising kids and pets, spending time with your spouse, getting along with the neighbors. But now that the kids are no longer home, it may just be you, your spouse, and/or your pets. Your lifestyle may have changed, and it’s possible your house no longer suits that lifestyle. If that’s the case, then downsizing might be a good idea. 

One of the most important factors about moving for your retirement, let alone downsizing, is your social life. Is your home the host of regular gatherings with friends, family, your community? Or does your house only have an occasional visit from your family or friends? These can not only impact whether you stay put, but also the size of your home should you move. If you love to host parties and events, you may feel less inclined to downsize to smaller homes.

It’s very easy to turn your child’s old bedroom into a storage space. But if you’re doing that, the question you should ask yourself is why. Unused rooms, even those converted to storage, mean more time cleaning and repairing them when you don’t really need. If you have rooms you aren’t using regularly, downsizing may be a good idea.

How Many Of Your Possessions Do You Need?

When we talk about possessions, we’re not referring to keepsakes and heirlooms. We’re talking about everyday items that are simply a part of your home and you could gift to your children or donate to a thrift store. If you have a lot of items you use regularly, you may feel no need to downsize, though there may be opportunities to declutter.

Many people enjoy gardening and taking care of their lawns, others may like doing repairs to their home. But you may not like doing either, and you may find them too expensive to your tastes or too difficult for your body to do. Moving to a smaller home can help reduce the need for maintenance, and moving to a retirement community that takes care of maintenance can be even better.

Depending on how you answer these questions, you may find that downsizing to a smaller home can be the solution. If and when you decide to downsize, Kithward is here to provide you with a variety of retirement communities offering unique floor plans that are just the right size for you.

“Aging in place” is a term used to describe a person’s ability to remain in their home or community of choice for as long as possible, even as their needs for assistance and health care grow and change with age.

According to a recent AARP survey of people aged 65 and over, about 90% of seniors want to age in place. 

For some, this means staying in a home they have resided in for many years. In these cases, seniors and their families must plan thoroughly -- financially and otherwise -- for the home modifications, personal assistance and health care that will become increasingly necessary over time. 

Those who desire to live and remain in a community, however, will need to make sure the community itself can provide the necessary personal assistance and skilled medical care on site. 

While there are some communities that have independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing all together, most independent living facilities are strictly independent. Should a person get sick or fall and require assistance, they will need to move to a different community that offers assisted living or skilled nursing, as the case may be..

There are assisted living facilities that also provide skilled nursing care while others can provide or coordinate hospice care on site. 

One option that allows for aging in place is called a continuing care retirement community (CCRC), also known as a life plan community. Individuals or couples can enter a CCRC as active, independent seniors and enjoy a campus-like community which often boasts amenities such as pools, tennis courts, golf courses, libraries, lounges and multiple restaurants. Residents have a calendar of activities and events from which to choose so they can stay engaged physically, spiritually, creatively, and intellectually. 

Housing at CCRCs can range from single family homes to studio apartments, all with full kitchens and appliances and where home maintenance is taken care of by the community staff. Should a resident need assistance with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, or grooming, or medication management, they can either hire their own private personal aide  or move into the assisted living part of the community. If and when ongoing medical health care is required, they will have skilled nursing available to them as well. CCRCS offer a guarantee that residents will be taken care of as they age.

At Kithward, you can search for CCRCs or explore independent living communities that will allow you to age in place.

Our Community
Located in Jacksonville, Florida, Brookdale Atrium Way is an exquisite senior living community with spacious accommodations, well-appointed amenities and opportunities to engage your interests, passion and purpose. Our campus in the Arlington neighborhood is surrounded by beautifully landscaped grounds, which enables residents to enjoy viewing local wildlife and bird watching on campus. We are just minutes away from local hospitals, the airport, beaches, downtown Jacksonville, the St. Johns Town Center and a number of shops, places of worship, restaurants and other attractions. Enjoy restaurant-style dining in our dining room with chef-prepared menu options or meet friends for coffee at our cafe. We also feature a heated swimming pool in our unique aquatic atrium.

Our Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) offers independent living, assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing care and rehabilitation. This makes transitioning between levels of care simple. You or your loved one will have the security of knowing that a continuum of care options is available on one campus without the concern of selecting new services at different location.

Brookdale Atrium Way

What makes a perfect morning? Sipping coffee on the porch, catching the morning news, or feeling energized from a short walk? Enjoying a robust breakfast that’s ready when you are, and then meeting a friend at the golf course? At Cypress Village, you have the freedom and independence to make your retirement all that you want it to be — free from worry.

That’s why independent living is the top choice for those who want more for their day than cooking, cleaning, yard work, and other tedious chores. Our convenient services and resort-like amenities leave you free to make the real decisions for the day: dominoes or poker? Dance class, or time in the art studio?

No matter what you choose, you’ll come back to fresh laundry and clean living space — not to mention a delicious meal waiting for you in our elegant dining room.

We’ll take care of the chores while you focus on having fun.
If you’re ready to trade the upkeep of a large home for more freedom and fun, we offer an ideal retirement lifestyle.  

Spacious apartments with minimal maintenance 
Restaurant-style dining 
Life-long learning programs, outings and volunteer opportunities

Our independent living communities feature private residences plus convenient services and amenities, including chef-inspired menu choices, housekeeping, laundry services and transportation. We also offer an exciting social calendar with classes, events and outings. 
We are passionate about great meals — one of life’s simple pleasures. At Brookdale, we know that dining choices are important to our residents. Along with a selection of chef-inspired menu options, in many communities, we also offer flexibility in choosing when to enjoy a meal.

Our Optimum Life program is a holistic practice of living well. We meet residents where they are and play to their strengths with thoughtfully designed programs, resources and services to support their wellness. We empower our residents to live life to the fullest by balancing six key dimensions of wellness — purposeful, emotional, physical, social, spiritual and intellectual.

Many of our independent living communities offer personalized living services so residents can get assistance with errands, pet care, light housekeeping, and support for daily activities like dressing or medication management.

Cypress Village

The National Church Residences continuing care experience offers you comfortable, private living space in a community dedicated to your wellness, healthy retirement and the fullest expression of your dreams, skills and spirit.

From caring, intelligent design of residences and the entire campus, to health and wellness programs, a wide range of professional services and care facilities, we are committed to helping residents live full lives.

You set the pace.  Prepare your own meals if you like to cook. Or dine on chef-prepared meals that include your favorite dishes. Take a leisurely stroll around the campus. Explore new activities.  Make new friends, or have lifelong companions over for a visit.  It's all up to you.

PSI Mandarin Center

Welcome to Wyndham Lakes, our unique, safe and friendly community of quality caregivers, well-trained professionals, and most importantly, satisfied residents. Our community offers a full spectrum of independent living, assisted living and memory care services administered by a specifically trained, caring and experienced staff.

We work closely with Brooks rehabilitation and enjoy partnering with them.

At Wyndham Lakes, you will enjoy retirement lifestyle provided in a stunning setting; a lifestyle rich with services, amenities, and endless possibilities.

Ideally located in Jacksonville, FL, Wyndham Lakes welcomes you to immerse yourself in a breathtaking setting and an exclusive independent lifestyle designed for those who expect more out of life.

Discover inspiring, independent living for active seniors who want to get the most out of their retirement.

From elegantly appointed rental cottages and apartments to lavish amenities and services, we’ve created a unique independent living community that beckons you to live the life you’ve always dreamed of.

Here you can experience the luxury and ease offered at a five-star resort. With so many amenities right outside your door, your days will be filled with endless opportunities for rest, rejuvenation, exercise, entertainment, learning and more.

Best yet, with the many services and the maintenance-free lifestyle we offer, you’ll have the time you deserve to take advantage of every opportunity. We’ll take care of the chores, the cleaning, the cooking and more! You spend your time any way you choose.



Wyndham Lakes

Jacksonville

Search for the perfect senior independent living community in Jacksonville, FL and explore communities in its neighborhoods.

Independent Living in Jacksonville, FL - Kithward

Enjoy a vibrant and lively retirement in Jacksonville, Florida. Its communities offer a wide array of activities and support for seniors over 55.

If you want an exciting retirement, Jacksonville, Florida is where you want to live. Located 15 miles from the Atlantic Coast with miles of extensive beach, the city and its active adult communities offer plenty of opportunities to enjoy the warm weather Florida has to offer. For the outdoors enthusiast, Jacksonville offers miles of hiking trails—even within the city—alongside seven state parks and two national parks. The opportunities for fishing on the sea or even the St. Johns River are numerous. 

On top of all this, Jacksonville runs 20 senior centers around the city. So alongside retirement community programming, you can also engage in activities that’ll help you get to know the city and its friendly people even more.

Find your perfect senior independent living community in Jacksonville, FL

Enjoy a vibrant and lively retirement in Jacksonville, Florida. Its communities offer a wide array of activities and support for seniors over 55.

Living in Jacksonville

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What Makes Retirement Communities? Activities, Of Course!

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