Residents of active adult communities appreciate new found friendships and welcoming support groups.
Active adult communities are known for their social and recreational activities, yet some new residents are surprised to learn that many age-restricted communities also offer counseling and support groups. While Baby Boomers grew up in a time when therapy was transitioning from a taboo into an accepted form of support, many of today’s active adults are open to the benefits of talking to a counselor or sharing their problems in a group setting.
Support groups at active adult communities cover a wide range of topics. They typically are available to address concerns that pertain to family, health, aging, or general lifestyle issues. Specific support groups vary from one community to the next. Through these group meetings, members can find encouragement and understanding from others who have similar experiences.
Many of the support groups at active adult communities are designed to help with the issues that tend to be more prevalent among older adults. Support groups can be a lifeline for a grieving widow or widower, and they often give hope to those diagnosed with a serious illness. Age-restricted communities often provide support groups for those dealing with Alzheimer’s, cancer, diabetes, stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s, and other chronic conditions.
However, those who are suffering from a serious illness are not the only ones who need support. In addition to coping with and learning about the treatment and management of a specific disease or condition, caregivers have the additional burden of feeling helpless in the face of a loved one’s suffering. Several active adult communities, such as Sun City Grand by Del Webb in Arizona and Village at Deaton Creek in Georgia, recognize the need to care for the caregivers by offering them their own group support as well.
In addition to dealing with health issues or the loss of a loved one, active adults are faced with many other challenges and problems. The Villages in Florida offers a wide variety of support groups, including a group to help those dealing with the effects of divorce, which is a more common occurrence among Baby Boomers than many people realize.
Active adult communities can also be a supportive environment for those dealing with addiction. Though they may not be quite as prevalent as health related or bereavement groups, some communities offer supportive meetings for those coping with alcoholism, gambling, drug-use or other forms of addictions. Alcoholics Anonymous meetings are held at some active adult communities, including Sun City Vistoso in Tucson and Windsor Gardens in Colorado.
While active adult communities offer plenty of social and recreational activities, they also offer an inclusive lifestyle where residents can live among peers who are likely to be dealing with some of the same life experiences. The support groups at active adult communities can help residents realize that they do not have to face the challenges of life alone.
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While I don’t belong to one of these communities yet, I am teaching older adults how to stay active and do age appropriate exercises. At 60, I know my time is not that far off from searching out these support systems. It’s nice to be able give back.
This is not a subject I’ve dealt with but what you’ve written in interesting.
Another spot on article Susan. Ask yourself, what do boomers want? Answer: everything. While that sounds narcissistic, it isn’t inteneded to. The point is boomers are a diverse group and with the size of the boomer poulation, they will come looking for a wider variety of interests. Support groups were a way of life for us, as much as golf and knitting was to our parents.
The beauty of age restricted active adult communities are they can be whatever the residents want them to be. From day one in Sun City, those living in the community shaped them to meet their needs and expectations.
That is still the story today. Sun City West started a boomer club a little over a year ago and now there are more than 600 members. Sun City is doing the same. From these newcomers will come new clubs, organizations that meet their needs. It is the beauty and strength of an age restricted setting where the residents are the owners and are responsible for the outcome.
Good work in this article ,tons of information for senior ,really nice ..