Everything You Need to Know About Moving into Senior Living

July 25, 2025
| Vitality Living

When it comes to healthy aging, quite honestly, there’s a lot to do. You’re supposed to make sure to keep your body active and your brain engaged all while maintaining your social connections as well. Sure, the benefits to your overall well-being are worth the effort, but retirement is supposed to be a time with less responsibility on your plate, right? Well, it turns out that in senior living you can have your cake and eat it too, so to speak. Here’s how programs like our Vivid Life make keeping active, engaged, and connected easy and fun!

Benefits of Healthy Aging

Good things happen when you focus on healthy aging. In addition to feeling better overall, which in and of itself is a win, other benefits of keeping active, engaged, and connected include:

Improved ability to do everyday things
Reduced impact of illness and chronic disease
Enhanced mobility, flexibility, and balance
Improved sleep
Increased energy level
Reduced feelings of depression and stress
Increased feelings of happiness and self-confidence
Reduced risk of cognitive decline
Increased mental adaptability and cognitive reserve
Improved memory recall and problem-solving skills
Improved concentration and attention to detail

How Senior Living Can Help

At home, particularly when living alone, it can be hard to stay as active, engaged, and connected as you’d like. From lack of opportunity to lack of motivation to lack of transportation to mobility challenges, and more, it’s tough, we get it! That’s why we created the Vivid Life program in our senior living communities. It’s composed of three parts: Vibrant Body, Vibrant Brain, and Vibrant Connections. Here’s what each entails:

Vibrant Body – We offer amenities such as a state-of-the-art fitness center, a pool, walking trails, gardening opportunities, and even a dog park to help you stay active. A sample of activities includes:

Walking club – Daily walks at different outdoor locations using pedometers to measure steps.
Yoga – At least once per week for gentle yoga, and once per week for mindful breathing.
Fitness classes – At least two times per week using a variety of hand weights, resistance bands, and circuit-type exercises.
Tai Chi – At least once per week with a live instructor.
Non-traditional exercise – Dancing, gardening, etc. at least two times per week.
Physical games and sports – Golf, putting, bowling, croquet, bocce, and ping pong available daily with organized events one to two times per week.

Vibrant Brain – We offer monthly calendars filled with classes, events, creative arts, and enrichment opportunities to help keep you engaged. A sample of activities includes:

Visiting lecture series – Twice per month with topics such as cultural, historical, local interest, career-oriented, etc.
Creative art series – At least one per week with a theme that runs 3-6 weeks, such as poetry writing, storytelling, painting, digital photography, etc.
Learning series – At least three times per month with an emphasis on learning something new such as foreign language, sign language, technology, hobbies, etc.
Games – At least one time per week and may include poker, bridge, Scrabble, etc.
Mindfulness – A meditation class once per week and gratitude discussion group twice monthly.
Church service – At least once a week through visits by local churches.
Stress reduction – At least once per month class that offers deep breathing exercises, nature walks, music appreciation, spa-type treatments, etc.

Vibrant Connections – We offer resident-led clubs, social events, outings and volunteer opportunities for any interest to help you stay connected. A sample of activities includes:

Outings – At least twice per month and may include going to concerts, art shows, museum visits, theatre productions, etc.
Intergenerational programming – At least once per month and focuses on building relationships between young adults/children and residents.
New resident welcome party – At least once per month to formally introduce all new residents, and includes ice breakers, social games, etc. to encourage connection.
Philanthropic program – At least once per month provide residents the opportunity to give back to the community, such as volunteering for a local food bank or pet shelter.
Resident-led clubs – May include game clubs, professional clubs, common interests, etc. that meet at least monthly.

What’s more, it’s all right outside your door (or transportation is provided offsite) and all in a supportive environment with home maintenance, housekeeping, and restaurant-style dining freeing your time to make it even easier to stay active, engaged, and connected.

Learn more about Vitality Living’s Vivid Life programs. Or find a Vitality Living community near you today to schedule a tour.

Exploring senior living for yourself or a loved one is a big step, and with the right information, it can be an empowering one. Whether planning for the future or making a more immediate decision, understanding what to expect when moving into senior living can help make the journey smoother and more confident.

This guide to senior living is here to answer your most pressing senior living questions, ease any uncertainties, and help you or your loved one feel excited about the next chapter.

10 Things to Know About Senior Living

1. What Is a Senior Living Community?

A senior living community is a residential option designed specifically for older adults. These communities offer a range of living arrangements, services, and amenities that support independence, comfort, and well-being. Depending on your needs, you’ll find everything from low-maintenance apartments to supportive care environments.

2. What Are the Different Types of Senior Living?

Not all senior living communities are the same. Some offer a variety of living options, while others may only offer one or two. Senior living options typically include:

Active Adult Living: Typically, these are 55+ active adult neighborhoods focused on wellness, amenities, and social engagement.
Independent Living: Ideal for older adults who want to maintain their independence while enjoying fewer responsibilities and more time for social activities and opportunities.
Assisted Living: Offers daily support with activities like bathing, dressing, and medication management.
Memory Care: Provides specialized care in a secure setting for individuals with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia.

3. Senior Living Benefits Go Beyond Care

Senior living has an array of benefits, such as services and amenities, resident clubs, group outings, and more. Some senior living benefits to look forward to include:

A social, connected lifestyle
On-site dining and nutritious meals
Fitness and wellness programs
Housekeeping and maintenance services
24/7 safety and support

While care is a key consideration, it’s just as important to choose a senior living community that encourages the kind of connection and interaction that matters the most to you.

4. Cost of Senior Living Varies

One of the most common senior living questions is: How much does it cost? The cost of senior living depends on location, level of care, apartment size, and included services. While pricing can vary, many families are surprised to learn that senior living is often comparable to, or even more affordable than, aging in place when factoring in home upkeep, meals, and in-home care.

5. It’s Never Too Early to Start Planning

Exploring your options early gives you more time to find the right fit and transition on your own terms. Spring and summer are great seasons to make a move due to the nice weather and a full calendar of events at many senior living communities.

6. Senior Living Communities Feel Like Home

A common misconception is that senior living feels institutional. In reality, most communities are warm, welcoming, and designed to feel like home. Residents decorate their spaces, enjoy home-cooked meals, and build meaningful connections with neighbors and staff.

7. Support Is Tailored to Your Needs

Senior living is highly personalized. Whether you need minimal help or ongoing daily care, communities provide support that meets you where you are, and they can adapt to your needs as they change over time.

8. The Move-In Process Is Easier Than You Think

Moving into a senior living community might feel overwhelming, but there are many resources to help. From virtual tours to community team members, today’s senior living communities are prepared to make the transition as smooth as possible. Most even have welcome programs to help new residents get settled and feel at home quickly.

9. Talking to a Loved One About Senior Living Takes Compassion

If you’re starting this journey for a parent or loved one, approach the conversation with empathy and curiosity. Ask questions, listen to their concerns, and explore options together. Present senior living as a way to gain more independence, not lose it.

10. You’re Not Alone

Choosing a senior living community is a big decision, but you don’t have to navigate it on your own. Communities often provide helpful resources, including cost calculators and free guides to senior living, to answer your senior living questions and support your journey every step of the way.

Start Your Senior Living Journey with Confidence

At Vitality Living, we believe in aging, reimagined. Our senior living communities are built to spark joy, encourage independence, and create meaningful connections. With care that evolves as your needs do, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Download our free guide to senior living, or reach out to us to start a conversation. Whether you’re just beginning your search or ready to make a move, we’re here to help you or your loved one live life fully and vibrantly.

Be You. Be Vibrant. Belong.

Making A Decision, Senior Living

Vitality Living

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