55+ Communities Can Add to Health and Happiness

Last year I found a house for a couple who were looking for a 55+ community. They liked the idea of living in a community where they could meet people their own age, make friends, socialize, and stay active. Following up a year later they said it was a great decision for them and they are very happy to be ?in a community geared toward their lifestyle. It’s a great story for them and for many individuals and couples who are choosing the 55+ community lifestyle. ??

Not surprising, there is a movement toward more adult based communities as the population continues to age, and the need for health and wellness becomes the focus for families and their parents. ?The Global Wellness Institute estimates the North American wellness real estate market in the U.S. to be $118 billion (Source: https://www.nextavenue.org/new-trends-in-retirement-living/) and is trending upward. 55+ communities are part of this market. It seems hard to believe but the oldest members of the largest generation ever in the U.S. (the Millennials) will turn 50 years old in just 10 years, so the wellness real estate market is set to continue to grow over time.

55+ communities satisfy many of the needs of its adult population including relationships and community. This is really good news as is there is a large amount of evidence that points to these things as being the strongest determinants of health and happiness. Thus, choosing to live in a place that is conducive to developing relationships and community turns out to also be a healthy choice.

Since 1938,?the Harvard Study of Adult Development, has conducted in-depth research of human wellbeing. It is the longest running study of its kind focused on human life. The study reveals that the factor contributing most to a person’s happiness and well-being is the quality of their relationships. Good health provides freedom, independence, and the ability to stay active, but relationships and community keep people from feeling lonely and isolated and provide a sense of purpose when people share in and contribute to a community beyond themselves.

There are several 55+ communities throughout Middle Tennessee and others are being planned and built. One popular 55+ community near Belle Meade, The Cloister, provides residents with access to a swimming pool, makes walking to a neighbor’s house really easy, and has a club house for entertaining and congregating. It’s a community developed, in large part, to provide a terrific social network full of quality relationships.

For people who need to downsize their home, want an active lifestyle, like the idea of a community of people to connect and socialize with, and enjoy the idea of a house that is built for the age demographic, 55+ Communities can be a terrific lifestyle and health choice. ???