There are various reasons why someone moves into an independent senior living community. Most of the time, it’s either an individual or a couple who are ready to take the next step in their life journey. It could also be because an individual has lost a loved one and is concerned about living alone.
However, there is a growing trend in multigenerational living, with more families living together later in life. According to the Pew Research Center, 18% of people aged 65 or older live in multigenerational households. Compared to a few decades ago, more older Americans are less likely to live alone. Consequently, houses are being built and converted for in-law suites, allowing families to live under one roof.
As seniors are living longer, moving in as a family unit into a senior living community can be a viable option. For instance, a family found that Sun Health Life Plan Community Grandview Terrace was willing to accommodate their unique situation. Cathy shares her condo with her husband, Bob, and her father, Richard. Before moving into Grandview Terrace, the family lived together in a house where each couple had their own section. When Richard’s wife passed away in 2019, they started to think about the future and how to plan for it.
After finding an available condo at Grandview Terrace, the family added a door to enclose the second bedroom and bathroom, creating a separate wing for Richard. This way, Richard could have some privacy and, in a sense, his own primary bedroom. To further prepare for the future, Cathy, Bob, and Richard all qualified for Life Care at Grandview Terrace, providing peace of mind regardless of what may happen.
“That’s why we chose Grandview Terrace, because of the Life Care aspect,” Cathy explained. “This way things don’t become a burden for our other family members to take care of us. It’s nice to know that there will be someone here to take care of me.”
Life Care is a plan for now and for the future. Once a resident is medically and financially approved for Life Care, they have a home and care for the rest of their lives. Life Care at Grandview Terrace starts in independent living and may go through the full suite of care including assisted living, memory support, skilled nursing, and rehab – all on the same campus.
Since the community offers many activities and events throughout the day, the family members aren’t tied together. They can pursue their separate interests but spend the evenings together, finding comfort in knowing they are not alone. They enjoy conversations and activities such as assembling puzzles. Richard is in good health with a sharp memory. He elected to move to Grandview Terrace with his daughter and her husband to continue his independent lifestyle and to pursue interests of his own.
“I think it’s very comfortable and goes well. It takes away some of the stress of living by yourself,” Richard shared. “You can regularly communicate with someone else besides just a stranger.”
Although they are the first couple and father-daughter residents living together, they are not the first family to live together at Grandview Terrace. Some mother-daughter pairs have also made it their home, as well as sisters and sisters-in-law. With options in floor plans and living spaces in communities, there is flexibility to accommodate various situations for residents and their loved ones. Ultimately, living in a Life Plan Community can be a family affair – whether you have family members that you wish to live with, or are alone and would like to join our Grandview Terrace family.
Experience the vibrant lifestyle of a Sun Health Community firsthand—call (623) 975-8014 to schedule a visit.
