Post retirement is supposed to be easy: most people hope their biggest decisions in their golden years will entail contemplating dinner options, booking tee times, or mulling over extended holiday destinations.

It’s true—seniors are more active than ever: often opting to spend the winter in more favourable climates, pursuing hobbies, joining community groups, volunteering their time and talents, making friends, and otherwise eschewing the traditional stereotypes of what old age looks like. Modern-day older adults are changing with the times.

But one thing that hasn’t changed? Many older adults still believe retirement homes should be thought of as a last resort. For many, the family home is where one establishes roots. It’s familiar and comfortable, and of course, houses more than just rooms and possessions: memories live there too.

Sentimentality aside, many older adults have views of seniors’ communities, based on experiences of seeing their own parents or grandparents placed in mid-century facilities that were sterile, impersonal, dreary, and rigid.

But just as older adults have changed with the times, senior communities have too. In fact, many people are making the move these days as a lifestyle choice. A decision made on their terms: less maintenance, more social connections, and communities purposefully designed for life enrichment— all reasons why senior communities, like those found with United Active Living, are quickly becoming a sought-after choice. But there are other reasons too.

The hidden costs of home ownership

Post-retirement, staying at home is probably a logical choice: why not enjoy all the comforts of the home you’ve worked hard to establish? For many, living mortgage-free is a lifetime achievement that allows for flexibility in financial decisions, and offers a sense of security. However, unexpected repairs, maintenance, and accessibility modifications to a home can add up quickly, and coordinating ongoing upkeep such as snow removal and landscaping, housekeeping, and other outsourced services can be time consuming and expensive. Add to the list, the rising cost of living which impacts other, more hidden costs of home ownership: property taxes, utilities, cost of materials and labour for renovations. These days, it’s all adding up.

What’s the alternative?

Making the transition to a senior community is a big decision, and there are a lot of factors to consider: at United, lifestyle, space, connection, and wellness are all taken into account. Our communities are designed to offer the comforts of home while providing the many benefits of maintenance-free living.

Suites are ready for your personal touches, and designed with ample storage, in-suite laundry, and plenty of space for comfortable daily living. A team of professionals is at your service to ensure everything is in good working order, and looking tidy and bright with weekly housekeeping services. Maintenance, utilities, and housekeeping are all included when you’re living at United—and that’s just the beginning!

Beyond your suite, your monthly rent also includes meals, an extensive programming calendar, fitness classes, and entertainment, and access to all the community’s common areas and amenities, allowing you to let go of subscriptions, gym memberships, and other incidental costs. With so much included, community living may be more affordable than you think: check out our cost calculator to help compare costs of living at home with living in a United community.

United’s residents have a lot going on: “There’s just so much to do! I have rediscovered my love of art, and I love having my friends drop by to visit and take part in programming with me!”

Making United home: your suite is just the beginning

• Accessible bathroom with sit/step in shower and grab bars
• Slip resistant flooring
• In suite washer and dryer
• Repairs, maintenance, and upkeep
• Weekly housekeeping
• All major utilities
• Cable, internet, and phone
• CALL emergency button
• Full kitchen or kitchenette
• On-demand access to additional professional services such as foot care, one-on-one personal training, salon services are available for your convenience and enjoyment

Plating up choices

Historically, senior communities have had a reputation for dishing out the bare minimum when it comes to menu options. Many older adults resist making the transition to living in a community because they do not want to settle for limited meal options or be restricted to set meal times in assigned seats. However, as older adults age in their homes, meals can become limited to what can be prepared quickly—often resulting in a reliance on convenience foods, skipping meals, or overbuying and wasting ingredients with a limited shelf life.

United Active Living understands food is a love language. For the lifelong home cook, suites equipped with full kitchens, including a dishwasher, full size refrigerator, and oven cater to the urge to reach for the family recipe book. But if your first downsizing task was ditching the pots and pans, the kitchenettes are still spacious enough to store your favourite comfort foods.

No matter your suite selection, the United Culinary team has designed a dining experience that gives you the flexibility to dine your way. The dining room is open daily from 7am to 7pm, and residents can drop by to enjoy a meal from the extensive all-day menu, with breakfast options and a variety of classic favourites available any time. There’s also the option to be adventurous and savour a chef-inspired daily feature. How and when you choose to dine is up to you at United. Bon appetit!Dining your way: what’s included at United

• Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
• All day menu from 7am – 7pm daily
• Chef created daily features
• Full-service dining room
• Reservable private dining room
• Casual bistro
• Holiday and special occasion meals
• No set meal times or assigned seats

For residents living in our Fish Creek West community, we offer the same great dining experience with preferred resident pricing. Looking to invite family and friends for a special event? Our Culinary team is delighted to help you plan a special menu to make your next occasion one to remember.

Going places

Often, older adults will resist moving into a senior community because they assume they will be stuck inside, with few opportunities to venture into the greater community. We get it: being limited by a strict schedule or obligated to participate in programming doesn’t exactly speak to your desire for choice and independence.

While United’s program calendar is extensive, you’re free to spend your time as you please. The art studio is open 24/7 and is staffed by professional artists who are there to help ignite your creative spark. Take on a new challenge in the fitness studio, with the support of a registered kinesiologist. Take a stroll in the courtyard, enjoy the bright and lively common spaces, borrow a book from the library, or create your own adventure! And if you’re still craving excitement, United’s partnerships with local Calgary organizations offer exclusive access to behind-the-scenes experiences and performances with groups like the Calgary Phil, learning opportunities with Mount Royal University, and guided tours at the Calgary Zoo.

Filling your day: what’s on at United

• Fitness classes Monday to Friday
• 24/7 access to the art studio
• Daily specialty programming
• Professionally facilitated art workshops
• Guest lectures and talks from subject matter experts
• Evening movies in the theatre
• Weekly outings to local galleries, performances, and special events
• Bus transportation to shops and services
• Free or discounted tickets to concerts, the theatre, and other exciting events

Creating community, together

As older adults age in their homes, many find they are spending a lot more time alone, Especially as their mobility needs change and they are less inclined to drive or walk to visit friends and loved ones or participate in social activities. Many also experience high levels of loss, and see their social circle shrink as friends and companions pass away or move from their home and neighbourhood for a higher level of care. Many seniors downplay their loneliness and other health concerns to avoid being seen as a burden to their loved ones. When living alone, some individuals may not have someone to check in on them regularly to ensure their health and wellness needs are being met.

United Active Living offers much more than great spaces and amenities—our communities reduce social isolation by encouraging connection and supporting each individual’s independence, and providing opportunities each day to live with purpose and discover or reignite their passions. We’re also here for your peace of mind: our United Cares team will collaborate with you and your care partners to ensure your wellness needs are met in the way you want with a suite of private and professional care services available when you need.

United is a fully integrated community that does not separate residents based on their care needs or abilities. Our revolutionary United Minds services give those experiencing symptoms of cognitive decline or dementia the opportunity to live independently, stay with their partner, and otherwise live in a community that empowers everyone to live with purpose and dignity.

At your service: United wellness options

• United Cares wellness services/LPN supervised care
• United Minds memory care services
• In-house hair salon and esthetics services
• In-house blood pressure clinics
• Walker and wheelchair maintenance check-ups
• Seasonal vaccination clinics
• Hearing aid and glasses maintenance

The United difference

At United, you’ll meet fellow residents, connect with others, and discover more ways to enjoy quality time with the people who matter most to you. Each day is a new adventure: try something new, pursue your passions, and do more of the things that fill your cup.

When you stack it all up, it’s easy to see how United is revolutionizing what a seniors’ community can be. To learn more, reach out to us to book a tour and see the United difference for yourself!