Every retirement community has a character all its own, but some places you consider are likely to stand out more than others. Choosing a retirement community is a deeply personal process, and only you will know when you find the place that feels just right.
The key is finding a community that fits your vision for now, but also for the rest of your life.
Georgia, and Atlanta in particular, is a popular choice for retirees thanks to its moderate climate, bustling arts and culture scene, and senior-friendly tax policies, among other reasons. Selecting a Life Plan Community in Atlanta allows you to embrace and explore the city now, while knowing you have a plan in place no matter what the future brings.
What Is a Life Plan Community?
A Life Plan Community offers more than a place to live; rather, it provides a long-term plan for your retirement. Many retirement communities focus on delivering a short-term independent living lifestyle, and while that setting can be appealing, it may also be temporary if your health needs change with time.
Conversely, a Life Plan Community — sometimes also called a continuing care retirement community — gives older adults access to multiple levels of care, services and support on one familiar campus. That means residents are free to enjoy an active lifestyle now, while also embracing the confidence and peace of mind that come from knowing they’re prepared for changing needs later.
Why Access to a Continuum of Care Matters as You Age
Modern senior living communities offer older adults a well-rounded lifestyle with rich amenities and a busy calendar of daily activities. Services like dining and housekeeping keep daily responsibilities at a minimum so residents are free to fill their days as they please.
An active lifestyle is an important aspect of senior living, but equally valuable are the care and support available to residents as their needs evolve. Fortunately, some contemporary senior living communities make it possible for residents to embrace all that life has to offer now, while also planning for the future. That is especially true in Life Plan Communities like Canterbury Court, which offers senior living with continuing care in Atlanta.
In fact, Canterbury Court is the Atlanta area’s original Life Plan Community. It introduced the idea of offering care for seniors with all kinds of needs, rather than specializing in a single dimension of care.
Residents typically enter the community’s independent living neighborhood, where they have access to a wide variety of enriching amenities and programs tailored to the interests of older adults. They take advantage of social opportunities with like-minded peers and embrace the freedom of maintenance-free living.
Over time, residents may need a little extra help with daily activities like bathing or grooming, or they might find it useful to have someone else manage their medication. That’s where assisted living can help. Assisted living offers highly personalized support based on each resident’s unique needs. The goal is to keep residents as independent as possible for as long as possible.
If a health condition emerges or a prior diagnosis progresses, skilled nursing provides medical care by a licensed nursing team. It may be short-term, for rehabilitation or recovery after an illness or surgery, or it may be long-term care for a chronic condition.
For many Life Plan Communities, the continuum of care encompasses other health services, too, such as memory support for those who are experiencing symptoms of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of memory loss.
Access to various levels of care may be one reason to explore Atlanta senior living with health services, but there are other benefits, too. One is the ability to remain in the community you know and love if your health changes. You can bypass the disruption of a move and instead focus your full attention on getting the care and support you need.
How Life Plan Communities Differ from Other Retirement Neighborhoods
When it comes to lifestyle, a Life Plan Community may not seem much different from other retirement communities or 55+ neighborhoods. But a closer look reveals that a Life Plan Community can offer some distinct long-term advantages.
Wellness Focus: A Life Plan Community offers robust programming and activities thoughtfully designed to support seniors’ physical, mental, emotional and social well-being. Staff at a Life Plan Community work closely with residents to set and achieve their wellness goals, and they prioritize helping residents live independently for as long as possible.
Peace of Mind: One of the biggest benefits of choosing a Life Plan Community is the comfort that comes with knowing that even though you can’t predict the future, you know where you’ll be and who will be providing the care you need. The familiar surroundings can be a great comfort when you’re navigating uncertainty surrounding your health.
Priority Access: When you live in a community with limited services, you or your loved ones may feel some added pressure if you need additional care, especially if you need it urgently. Conversely, living in a Life Plan Community gives you the convenience and reassurance of priority access to additional levels of care when you need them.
Financial Plan: Although the specific contract details vary, many Life Plan Communities provide greater predictability when it comes to your monthly living expenses and what you might expect to pay for future care. A portion of your entrance fee and monthly living expenses may also be eligible for tax benefits if they qualify as prepaid medical expenses.
Explore a Life Plan Option in Atlanta
In some communities, it’s the amenities that draw you in. Or maybe it’s the inviting staff and residents. You might love the location and the features of the private living spaces. Or perhaps it’s the whole package that makes you feel as though you’ve come home.
Canterbury Court is a Life Plan Community that Atlanta seniors choose because of its convenient location, park-like setting, exceptional amenities and welcoming neighbors. We invite you to visit and explore this engaging community where seniors thrive and live each day filled with purpose.