By Carol Ann Conover<\/p>\n
Nearly 80% of adults 50 and older want to remain in their own homes and communities as they age, and that same principle of choice \u2014 not obligation \u2014 is shaping how and when Capital Region seniors move into independent living, according to a regional advocacy group and two local providers.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople overwhelmingly want to age in place, and they deserve the supports to make that possible,\u201d said Cam Cardinale, director of external affairs for Southern Adirondack Independent Living, known as SAIL, a Glens Falls-based nonprofit serving older adults and people with disabilities across 17 counties. \u201cAt the heart of independent living is consumer choice. Every person has the right to decide where and how they live.\u201d SAIL served more than 7,000 people across 17 counties last year, providing more than 20,000 services that help people remain independent, Cardinale said.<\/p>\n
That same emphasis on choice is showing up locally, where Warren and Saratoga county providers say more residents are moving in deliberately and early rather than waiting for a crisis. About 25.9% of Warren County residents were 65 or older in 2024, compared with 21.3% in Saratoga County and 18.9% statewide, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates compiled by USAFacts.<\/p>\n
At The Glen at Hiland Meadows in Queensbury, an Eddy Senior Living community, executive director Andrea Hebert said residents entering every level of care \u2014 independent living, enhanced assisted living and memory care \u2014 have been arriving older over the community\u2019s 25 years.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople are just waiting longer to get to each level of care,\u201d Hebert said, \u201cand people are healthier longer, which is a positive thing.\u201d More residents are also planning ahead instead of waiting for a crisis. \u201cWe\u2019ve had people move in and say, \u2018I do not know why I didn\u2019t do this sooner,\u2019\u201d she said, \u201cand we have people who tell others who are considering residency: Do it now, don\u2019t wait.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/b>The reasons residents give for moving vary, Hebert said, but often center on \u201cthe home maintenance piece of it\u201d along with \u201cwanting to stay as independent as possible, wanting to stay healthy and wanting to socialize.\u201d<\/p>\n She recalled a couple who moved into one of the Glen\u2019s cottages together after the wife began experiencing memory loss and later transitioned to memory care. Her husband still lives in a private independent living cottage. \u201cHe goes to see her every day in her memory care space, has breakfast with her,\u201d Hebert said, then returns to \u201ctinker with his old car.\u201d<\/p>\n At Prestwick Chase in Saratoga Springs, a 55-and-older rental community with no entrance fee or endowment, director of sales Kellie Postlethwaite said the waiting list keeps growing. \u201cActive adults are realizing they would like to be living maintenance-free than with the burdens of owning a home,\u201d she said. Residents increasingly are moving to be closer to family and to make the decision themselves. \u201cI have more and more residents realizing they do not want to wait until someone is forcing them,\u201d she said. \u201cThey would like to make the decision.\u201d<\/p>\n Giving up home maintenance is often the biggest relief, she said. \u201cIt has become increasingly hard to find people to do handyman work and are reliable,\u201d Postlethwaite said. \u201cKids today are not helping out their neighbor with snow removal or mowing.\u201d Cottages tend to draw couples and residents still working, while apartments attract residents who want to be close to the community\u2019s activities, she said.<\/p>\n Prospective residents often arrive with misconceptions, Postlethwaite said. \u201cThe biggest misconception is that the general public does not understand the difference between independent living, assisted living, enhanced care and nursing home care,\u201d she said. \u201cThey often think it will be more like assisted living, when in reality it is more like college: a meal plan, activities, housekeeping and maintenance, and an apartment to escape into.\u201d<\/p>\n Building those social ties is activities director Amy Tichenor\u2019s focus. The best-attended offering, she said, is a dinner group that heads out to local restaurants. \u201cIt gives residents an opportunity to meet new people, socialize in a relaxed setting, and enjoy a meal together outside of the community,\u201d Tichenor said. \u201cI think it resonates because it encourages friendships.\u201d<\/p>\n New residents are welcomed with a breakfast and a standing Friday Social, Tichenor said, while resident-led games including mahjong, poker, bridge, bingo and contract rummy have become anchors of daily life. \u201cThese regular gatherings bring residents together to enjoy friendly competition, share conversations, and build lasting friendships,\u201d she said. As incoming residents skew younger, she added, interest has broadened beyond card games to outings and events \u201cthat encourage connection and an active lifestyle.\u201d<\/p>\n At The Glen, Hebert said the appeal of independent living remains rooted in autonomy. \u201cPeople are going to make a change,\u201d she said. \u201cDon\u2019t wait for something to happen. Be proactive.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" By Carol Ann Conover Nearly 80% of adults 50 and older want to remain in their own homes and communities as they age, and that same principle of choice \u2014 not obligation \u2014 is shaping how and when Capital Region seniors move into independent living, according to a regional advocacy group and two local providers. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":89,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[48],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-39210","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-senior-living-retirement"],"yoast_head":"\r\n