So many of us dream of picking up a new hobby, learning an instrument, or traveling the world — but for many of our adult years, life simply gets in the way. It happens!
But retirement can present the opportunity to “carpe diem.” A senior living community can be just the place to make your pre-retirement dreams finally come true, and you’ll have plenty of encouragement and assistance.
“A lot of seniors today don’t look at retirement as a time to slow down,” said Vi's head of lifestyle, Tony Galvan. “Our residents have goals and aspirations and things they want to achieve.”
Here’s a look at how senior living can be a catalyst for new passions in retirement.
Supportive staff fueling resident passions
Many retirement communities employ a full-time team dedicated to creating fun and enriching experiences for residents — and Vi communities are no different.
Lifestyle staff members are there to support residents in…
A senior living community calendar should be a goldmine for fun and enriching plans, from cultural outings and art classes to lectures and wine tastings — and beyond.
Ask any Vi resident, and they’ll tell you there’s no excuse for being bored on any given day in their community, with so many things to do at their fingertips.
If you’re looking for a new hobby but haven’t found one to strike your fancy…try asking the community! Employees may have some great ideas.
This is certainly true in Vi communities, where lifestyle teams get to know each resident and what brings them joy.
Vi resident Hank Solomon discovered a latent passion for watercolor painting after seeing an ad in the mailroom for a free kit with a paint palette, brushes and paper.
In the years since he picked up his kit from the lifestyle staff, he’s fallen in love with painting and has even displayed his work in the community’s public spaces.
And sometimes the inspiration is right there, simply in need of a little spark to catch fire.
For residents looking to share their passions with their neighbors, a senior living community’s employees can help orchestrate it, including:
- Adding more detail to a generally great idea
- Creating invitations and flyers
- Spreading the word in official community publications
- Assisting with logistics (such as space and refreshments)
Vi at Palo Alto resident Eva Jones, a longtime hula dancer, knew she wanted to share the beautiful dance with her fellow residents. She just needed a few more hands to bring her idea for hula classes to life.
With the lifestyle team’s support, Hula with Eva danced its way into the community.
“That’s the great thing about The Vi. If you have an idea or you want to try something, you can do it.”
Vi at Aventura threw their support behind resident Susan Shovers to help create a cooking show, "Cooking With Bubbe," at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
They arranged for a camera crew, helped with filming and editing, and shared the videos to Vi’s official YouTube channel.
Thanks to the community support, Susan got to showcase her baking skills for an audience, and The Vi found another way for residents to connect during a time of social distancing.
Years later, she regularly appears on local news stations during Jewish holiday seasons to share recipes with viewers.
Amenities designed to inspire & engage
Think of the last time you hosted a party or served on a charity committee planning an event. The logistics can be a huge undertaking, from sourcing space to shopping for supplies and coordinating the other little details!
Just as community staff is on hand to help residents pursue their passions, senior living communities are designed and built not only as residences, but also as community hubs to help groups of people go big with their dreams.
Inside many communities, you’ll find resources at your fingertips to smooth the way toward your event, ongoing club or special-occasion outing, including:
- Spaces to host classes and events, from small game rooms and lecture halls to ballrooms and auditoriums
- Supplies and equipment (or places to store supplies you’ve bought!)
- Group transportation for larger outings
- Food and beverage assistance
“We love to collaborate with our residents to make these experiences happen,” Galvan said.
Volunteer Spotlight: Operation Backpack
For more than a decade, Vi at Bentley Village residents have gathered for a bingo tournament to raise money for school supplies and backpacks for local students in need. In 2024, they raised more than $7,000, then packed more than 250 backpacks!
Vi at Bentley village coordinates the facilities needed to host the bingo tournament, supply collection, and pack-up day. It’s all hands on deck, and residents fill the ballroom as they pack up their donations.
Accessibility for all: pursuing passions with ease
Because physical needs can change so much as we age, senior living communities are built to be accessible by folks with all abilities and mobility needs.
Love going to the theater but need an assistive device? It may seem like a hassle to get out and explore the local performing arts scene on your own, but a senior living community may offer the assistance you need to get there for curtains-up. (Bonus: If you’re looking for seatmates, there’s a good chance you can find some fellow theater lovers within the community!)
Always wanted to try yoga but never felt comfortable in a studio? A senior living community’s yoga instructors are much more likely to have experience with bodies that move differently than they used to, or chair yoga classes to accommodate varying abilities.
With measures in place for greater accessibility, residents can feel encouraged to pursue opportunities and try new things safely and with fewer roadblocks.
A low-maintenance lifestyle: more time for what you love
The low-maintenance lifestyle of senior living gives residents one less reason not to do that thing they always said they wanted to do.
Especially if you’re downsizing from a single-family home to a senior living community, you may find that retirement living frees you up for more fun.
Many retirement communities offer services and amenities to make your everyday to-do list a little shorter, including:
- Housekeeping: Communities often provide light housekeeping and laundry service for sheets, towels and other personal linens as part of their monthly fee.
- Home maintenance: Regular home maintenance and small needed repairs are often available at no additional cost.
- Arranged transportation: No car? No problem! Communities may provide residents with rides to medical appointments, nearby errands and even planned group activities.
- Security: Most communities have in-person security personnel and also feature community-wide alarm systems to help residents feel safe around the clock.
With fewer things you have to do, you’ll have more time and energy to do what you want to do, whether that’s diving into a new hobby, spending more time with your grandkids, traveling or pursuing your wellness goals.
A community of kindred spirits: sharing your passion with others
They say there’s strength in numbers, and the adage applies to pursuing your dreams in retirement, too!
Trying new things can feel daunting at any age. But if you’re thinking of stretching yourself in your later years, you’ll be in good company.
In a senior living community, you’ll be surrounded by many other residents eager to participate in their community and try new things with fun-loving neighbors.
Starting a cycling group on your own might feel like a lonely path, but when the signup list grows every time you visit the mailroom, you can focus on charting the course for your first scenic bike ride with a budding group of outdoor enthusiasts.
And even solo hobbies are more fun when a group gathers to enjoy them! The Darn, Yarn, Needles & Thread group at TidePointe, a Vi Community, has become a sharing circle where friends swap stories and creative ideas while they work on their personal projects.
Ready to pursue passions old and new in retirement? We’d love to hear about your dreams and share how we can help you make them a reality.
Glad to be connected!
There’s a lot to consider when embarking on the next phase of retirement—and contacting us is a big step. (Well done!)
We’ll be in touch soon to share expert insights and resident perspectives that we hope are helpful, and one of our team members will also be reaching out to answer any questions you may have.