Active adult living: how to know if it's right for you or your loved one

As you age, taking care of a home can be a full-time job. Making patch-ups and repairs, taking care of lawn maintenance, having to update furniture and appliances — once you reach a certain age, the energy for upkeep tends to wane.

For those who still want their independence but need a low-maintenance lifestyle, an active adult community can be the perfect compromise.

"I was in a townhome that I had lived in for 26 years, and I was just getting tired of home repair — and stairs. There was also the fact of being isolated, and even though I had neighbors, there is still some isolation there. So I was looking at my options, and I quickly ruled out buying another home," said Pennie Gibson, a resident at Overture Cary, an active adult living community. "I went and visited an Overture community on the Centennial campus, and I thought, ‘This is awfully nice, there are plenty of amenities.' And I did a swan dive right in."

For Gibson, the amenities of an active adult community were a major selling point. At a typical active adult community, residents have access to amenities like a fitness center, a pool, a clubhouse, sporting courts, walking trails, and more.

Another highlight of active adult living is the connection to other residents and the surrounding community.

"This kind of community is just right for those who are 55-plus when they are still active and vibrant. We are conveniently located next to Wegmans, so if you don't want to cook, you can just pop over for a variety of pre-cooked meals. In other 55-plus communities, you may have to eat at a certain time and have a limited number of food options. This gives you the flexibility to do what you want," said Christine Sammons, community manager at Overture Cary.

For those who do need extra levels of care, some communities — Overture Cary included — allow the option to bring in-home health services. That way, residents still have the option to enjoy all the community has to offer while also having the extra aid they require. Within the community, there is full-time professional staff during regular business hours along with after-hours emergency maintenance.

Still, knowing if active adult living is the best option for you largely comes down to your own preferences.

"It's really important for the person to know where they are in their own lives. For me, not having any of the responsibilities of homeownership has been fabulous," said Gibson. "But for some people, this may be a little too restrictive. There are a lot of 55-plus communities you can buy into, and some people still want to do yard work and have their own place and all that — I was just ready to be done with that."

Gibson lived in a townhome before making the move to Overture Cary, so the adjustment was easy to handle. Although she only moved in a short while ago, she's already looking forward to mixing with the rest of the community.

Since Overture Cary just recently opened their doors, it'll be a new experience for all of the residents so they will create their community culture together. For adults who are looking to expand their horizons and build new friendships, it's the perfect environment.

"They've got a whole bunch of different activities. There's a walking club, and they give us a calendar each month with the different activities. They're doing a really good job of introducing the people who are not familiar with the area to the community around us," said Gibson.

Other activities the community has hosted include Food Truck Friday and Mix and Mingle Wednesday, as well as special celebrations for the holidays. As the community continues to grow, they're expecting to add more activities, and a water aerobics class is even slated to begin soon.

"We have an opportunity as a new community to really listen to our residents, incorporating what they want to and producing a varied and vibrant lifestyle," said Sammons. "We really are listening to resident feedback and trying to bring these new opportunities to create a holistic living experience."