Villas are one of the most common types of senior living. They’re also one of the most popular. But, they can often be one of the most misunderstood. Curious about senior living villa life? Here are answers to some of the biggest questions. From what villas are to why they’re special and more. Plus, take a look at what a day in the life could be if you called a villa home.

What is a senior living villa?

There are two main elements that make a senior living villa what it is. The first is that it is some form of community living for those 55+. It could be part of a larger senior living community or an exclusive neighborhood, like a gated community, that has age requirements. The second element is the actual type of housing. Senior living villas could be stand alone homes, duplexes, patio homes, or condos.

Depending on the type of community, different amenities can be included with a villa. For example, like other neighborhoods, villa communities could feature community spaces like a clubhouse. If the villas are part of a senior living community, there may be other amenities as well. These could include things like dining and fitness options and coordinated community events.

Who lives in a senior living villa?

With so much variety of what senior living villas are, it should be no surprise that they attract a wide variety of people. Although that doesn’t mean there aren’t some commonalities. Villa residents are all over the age of 55 and able to live completely independently. This means they don’t need help with daily activities, such as dressing and bathing.

Senior living villa residents also have a variety of interests and pastimes. Often, these become sources of common interest that help neighbors become friends. Some of the hobbies and activities enjoyed by villa residents include:

• Dart and pool leagues
• Sewing, knitting, crocheting, and art
• Woodworking and fishing
• Walking and bird watching
• Movie and game nights
• Trips to the theater, casino, or sporting events
• Tailgates and watch parties

When should I move to a senior living villa?

One of the toughest questions about senior living villas is when. There’s no right or wrong answer. But, most villa residents will say they wish they would have moved sooner. There are many benefits to moving earlier. For starters, the earlier you move the longer you will be able to enjoy living in a villa. More important, it can help prolong your independence. Often, villas are designed with senior independence in mind. Things like no steps, wider walkways, and accessible bathrooms with walk in showers instead of tubs. These features seem small, but they can make it easier and safer to live independently longer.

It’s not uncommon for someone to wait to consider a villa until they’re already experiencing some challenges in their daily life. It could be things like not getting around as well as they used to, needing help with some of their daily tasks, or forgetting to take medications. Unfortunately, by then it may be too late for a villa to be the best choice. The best time to move to a senior living villa is before you think you need to.

Another consideration for when to move is stress. Living alone, or even with a spouse, can be stressful. With so many things to manage day to day, it can be overwhelming. From taking care of yourself to taking care of the house and everything in between. Keeping up with it all can be hard on the body. Not to mention the affects the stress itself can have on physical health and brain health.

Why should I consider a senior living villa?

Reducing stress isn’t just important for considering when to move to a senior living villa. It’s also key to why you should consider it. You may think living in a villa sounds a lot like living in your own home. And in many ways, it is. It’s a lot like living in your own home – just with a few added benefits.

Think about the most stressful parts of living in your own home. Not just the things that cause mental or emotional stress, but also the things that cause physical stress to your body. You might be thinking of things like:

• Cooking and cleaning
• Mowing the lawn and other landscaping
• Shoveling snow
• Paying taxes
• Making repairs, like fixing clogged pipes or leaky faucets
• Routine upkeep and maintenance

Sound familiar? These things require mental energy and take a physical toll on the body. Living in your own home can feel like your to do list is never done. This is where senior living villas come in. It’s why many residents choose to call them home. A maintenance-free lifestyle is arguably the best benefit of living in a villa at a senior living community. In a senior living villa, that stress-causing to do list is done. Senior living communities have dedicated grounds and maintenance teams. They handle the landscaping and snow removal. They’re a phone call away if something breaks. Often times, they’re even there to change the light bulbs and hang pictures.

There are other advantages to villas, too. Especially when they’re part of a larger senior living community. That’s because there are often dining options available. When you can enjoy restaurant-style dining just a short walk or golf cart drive away, and a full kitchen in your villa, it’s easy to cook when you want and not when you don’t.

Villas are also a great way to enjoy retirement. For starters, when your to do list is done for you, you have more free time to do the things you enjoy. Plus, most communities offer a calendar of activities for villa residents to enjoy. Villa life is a great time to reconnect with hobbies you love and discover new pastimes you enjoy. Travel your thing? Don’t let moving to a senior living community stop you! Many villa residents still enjoy traveling the country – and the world!

A Day in the Life

That all sounds great. But is it too good to be true? Nope! It’s all about what you make of it. You can choose to be as busy and social as you want and still have time to yourself when you need it. Just take a look at what one possible day of villa life could be.

8:30 am Coffee and breakfast in the Café with friends

9:30 am Walking club

11:15 am Tai chi

12:30 am Lunch at the villa

2 pm Book club

3:30 pm Paint and sip

5 pm Dinner and drinks in the restaurant with neighbors

7 pm Game night

Types of Villa Communities

Beyond what it costs and what’s included, another important consideration for choosing a villa is what type of community it is. There are lots of different types of senior living communities and villas can be found at many of them. Sometimes, villas are a community all on their own. Other times, they’re part of a larger community that offers other types of senior living. Villas themselves are a form of independent living. But, they can be part of communities that provide other levels of care, like assisted living. Some villas are even part of a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC). This means that in addition to providing villas and other independent living options, the community offers assisted living, memory care, short-term rehabilitation, and long-term skilled nursing care.

So why does it matter what type of community a villa is part of? The short answer: peace of mind. Knowing care is available means you can worry less about the future. In a community that offers more than villas, residents have access to more care when they need it. Often times, residents also have priority access to other care levels. If there’s a waiting list, residents often jump to the front of the line.

Active Aging in a Villa

An important part of maintaining independence is active aging. The idea is that the more active you stay and the longer you stay active, the more independent you can be for longer. Basically, it’s the concept of use it or lose it. Staying active will keep you active. Which will also keep you independent. Being active in your 70s and 80s looks different than it did in your 20s. You might not be training to run a marathon. Instead, your focus might be on more practical things like improving your balance. That’s why there’s specific guidance for older adults. From different frequencies and intensities to ways to make being active safe and fun. Listen to the experts break it all down and provide fitness tips for older adults that support active aging.

Villas at The Ohio Masonic Communities

Independent living villas are a cornerstone of The Ohio Masonic Communities. Each of our campuses has different villa options, ranging from single-family ranch homes to duplexes and more. Our villas are a great choice if you want more active independence with the added benefits of our on-campus amenities and the reassurance that there’s support available if you need it.

The Ohio Masonic Communities offers independent living villas at three senior living communities across the state of Ohio – Browning Masonic Community in Waterville, Ohio, Springfield Masonic Community in Springfield, Ohio, and Western Reserve Masonic Community in Medina, Ohio. If you are interested in learning more about our villas, give us a call at 1 (877) 881-1623 or contact us here.