Why Independent Living Is the Perfect Next Chapter
One of the best things about retirement is turning the page from your working life and starting a new chapter where you have an opportunity to do all the things you didn’t have time for earlier. According to a 2024 Retirement Happiness Study by MassMutual, pre-retirees say they’re most looking forward to filling their free time with multiple kinds of activities, including spending time with loved ones, exercising, pursuing hobbies and travel.
That’s why so many seniors are looking to Life Plan Communities like The Village at Gleannloch Farms for our independent living lifestyle, resort-style amenities and wide range of social opportunities. While it can be hard to know what to expect in senior living, research from the Age Well Study indicates people who move to a Life Plan Community report being happier and healthier.
What Is the Age Well Study?
The Age Well Study is the only national longitudinal study evaluating the impact of living in a Life Plan Community on residents’ cognitive, physical and psychosocial health and well-being. When the survey was launched in 2018, it focused on three components of health:
- Self-reported health
- Physical activity
- Healthy diet
Year 1 Results
Right from the start, the Age Well Study compared the wellness outcomes of older adults living in Life Plan Communities versus the Community-at-Large, with 5,148 residents from 80 Life Plan Communities participating in the survey. Here are some of the results:
- Self-reported health: On average, Life Plan Community participants rate their health between “good” and “very good.”
- Mood: Overall, Life Plan Community participants’ mood was generally positive over the last 30 days, and they tended to experience a more positive mood.
- Intellectual wellness: Intellectual wellness involves expanding knowledge and skills through a variety of resources, including creative activities, which contributes to maintaining cognitive function. Ninety-six percent of Life Plan Community resident respondents reported reading a book or newspaper at least once per week.
- Social wellness: Social wellness emphasizes creating and maintaining healthy relationships by talking, sharing interests and actively participating in social events. Sixty-nine percent of residents reported that moving to a Life Plan Community “somewhat” or “greatly improved” their social wellness.
- Physical wellness: Physical wellness refers to regular engagement in physical activity, maintaining a healthy diet and appropriate utilization of health care, as well as engaging in healthy behaviors such as getting enough sleep and maintaining personal safety. The average number of chronic health conditions reported by Life Plan Community residents was fewer than two.
Year 3 Results
In 2020, the Age Well Study focused on factors associated with resident happiness and life satisfaction, including better physical and mental health, along with more positive social interactions, with 4,191 residents from 122 Life Plan Communities participating in the survey. Here’s what the study found:
Health and happiness and life satisfaction
- Self-reported health: Residents with better self-reported health described greater levels of happiness and higher life satisfaction.
- Physical activity: Greater physical activity was associated with greater happiness, but it was not related to life satisfaction.
- Healthy diet: Residents who indicated that they have healthier diets tended to be happier and more satisfied with life.
Satisfaction with life domains
- Approximately 92% of respondents were highly satisfied (either “very satisfied” or “completely satisfied”) with the place where they live, 90% were highly satisfied with the city or town where they live. Most respondents were also highly satisfied with their daily life and leisure (85%), financial situation (82%) and family life (79%).
- Ninety-one percent of respondents were “completely” or “very” satisfied with their senior living community.
How The Village Can Support Your Goals
The Village at Gleannloch Farms is a luxury senior living community in Spring, Texas. Our independent living is backed with a full continuum of on-site care, giving you peace of mind so you can more fully pursue your interests, spend time with family, travel or exercise. At our community, you’ll be able enjoy a variety of services and amenities:
- Fitness classes and wellness programs, including yoga
- Lifelong learning, discussions, classes and outings
- Frequent on campus shows and concerts
- Personal concierge services
- Courtyards, gardens and walking paths
- Fully equipped fitness center
- Heated outdoor saltwater pool
- Arts and crafts studio
- Woodworking shop
- Game room, billiards and table tennis
- Wellness center and therapy room
- Ice cream parlor
- Private dining room for family gatherings
- Guest suites
- Rentable community room
- Nine-hole putting green
- Community flower and vegetable garden
- Regularly scheduled transportation
See the Benefits of Our Life Plan Community for Yourself
As the best senior living community in Spring, Texas, our luxurious lifestyle combines a resort-inspired lifestyle with classic Southern charm. With a calendar full of classes, clubs, outings and events, it’s easy to know your neighbors and build a sense of belonging. To start the next chapter of your life at The Village at Gleannloch Farms, use our Community Assistant chat feature or contact us here.
