Computer scientist, mountain biker, and musician, Cathy Everett has never been afraid to try something new. But after retiring, she – like many older adults – felt her lifestyle was becoming more limiting than liberating.
“Living alone in a large house on the river in Titusville — with all the upkeep that entailed — just didn’t make sense,” she recalls. “I started looking at communities nearby, but nothing fit my needs. I wanted more activities, more people, and more things going on.”
In fact, Cathy’s situation is an increasingly common one among the younger cohort of Baby Boomers, experts say. Although roughly three in four adults hope to stay in their own homes as they get older, those who do may find they’re missing a critical ingredient: connection.
“The classic single-family home in the suburbs, after all, was mostly designed with growing families in mind, [with] isolating large lots and car-centric neighborhoods,” writes Mindy Fetterman for AARP. “For many of us, it turns out, aging in place isn’t so much about the home as the community.”
The results, she says, is more older adults ‘downsizing their way to happiness’: reducing their footprint and seeking out neighborhoods with more social opportunities and better support systems. Rather than letting the world shrink around them, they’re expanding their horizons and thriving at the heart of a community.
That was exactly what Cathy had in mind when she moved to The Mayflower at Winter Park: less upkeep, fewer worries, and a vibrant lifestyle full of activities, programming and welcoming neighbors.
“Here, I can be carefree and not have to worry about all those home ownership headaches like house and lawn maintenance,” she says. “All of that is stressful – and a big part of healthy aging is keeping your stress level down and not having to worry about things that don’t really matter.”
In Life Plan Communities like The Mayflower, a social and engaging environment is part of our commitment to whole-person wellness. According to the Mather Institute’s AgeWell longitudinal study, which surveyed more than 122 communities across the country, residents of Life Plan Communities routinely report better physical, emotional and intellectual health than their peers.
And there’s one more worry Cathy can cross off her list: a plan for her future health. With assured access to award-winning care – including Rehabilitation, Skilled Nursing, Assisted Living and Memory Support – right on campus, she never has to wonder about “what if.”
“People don’t realize that if you live long enough, you’ll have to make decisions about your health – there’s no way around it,” she says. “I think if more people in my generation understood the opportunities and advantages The Mayflower offers, they’d be more inclined to take a look.”
Find out for yourself why residents like Cathy love life at The Mayflower! Browse stylish residences and explore our array of stimulating programs and activities – or send us a message or give us a call at 407.672.1620 to schedule your visit today. We look forward to hearing from you!