Where You Live Makes a Difference

What choices do you make to stay healthy? Do you eat well? Exercise? Manage stress? Wear sunscreen? 

What about where you choose to live? 

One of the most fundamental aspects of day-to-day life—where you reside—can significantly impact your well-being. 

The Age Well Study, conducted by the Mather Institute in partnership with Northwestern University, has confirmed what many seniors already know: Continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) are not only fantastic places to live, but they also have a positive impact on residents’ health and well-being.

‘Powerful indicator of aging well’

The Age Well Study is the first to compare the health and wellness of older adults living in CCRCs to the health and wellness of seniors living in the community at large. 

CCRCs offer a wide range of programs, services, and facilities, including educational classes, social events, and fitness centers. Researchers wanted to determine whether residing in such amenity-rich environments positively influence health.

Cate O’Brien, Ph.D., senior vice president of the Mather Institute, says, “Year five of the study not only compared the health and wellness of the two groups of older adults, it also measured changes across five years for both groups. We found that … residents of these [CCRCs] maintained higher levels of wellness, with more favorable ratings in social and intellectual wellness in particular.” 

The findings show that CCRC residents:

• Exhibited better self-reported health and increased levels of moderate physical activity
• Maintained higher levels of life satisfaction, optimism, and positive perceptions of aging, along with lower levels of pessimism
• Reported better self-rated memory and higher participation in intellectual activities, compared to older adults in the community at large

“Residents living in this type of community reported better outcomes in five of six different dimensions of wellness in 2018, and five years later, they continued to report significantly better health than those living in the community at large. That’s a powerful indicator of aging well,” says Mary Leary, president and CEO of the Mather Institute. 

Wealth of wellness opportunities

Jean Williamson, a retired nurse and public health care administrator, and her husband Dave are devoted to maintaining their health through mindful eating, achieving 10,000 steps daily, meditation, and regular yoga practice.

When they set out to find the right senior living community, they wanted a CCRC that supported and enhanced what they were already doing to care for their well-being. 

“We looked at a number of different retirement communities,” says Jean. “They were nice, but they did not offer as many activities and wellness programs as they have here at Charlestown.” 

Charlestown, the Erickson Senior Living community in Catonsville, Md., offers residents a vibrant, worry-free lifestyle and a continuum of health care. With dozens of clubs and top-notch amenities on campus, including a fitness center, it’s easy for residents to stay active with newfound friends. 

Since the couple moved to Charlestown in 2021, Jean has appreciated the convenience of on-site medical and dental care, immunization clinics, and numerous opportunities to socialize, exercise, and have fun. 

“There are so many activities that promote thinking and using the mind. Meditation groups, prayer groups, book clubs—there’s something to support everyone, so they can truly be the best they can be,” says Jean. 

Accessible to everyone

Jean is also a certified yoga instructor who loves teaching her Charlestown neighbors.

“I try to make it accessible to everybody, so residents who may not be able to do regular yoga can still participate,” she says. “I focus on meditation, stretching, increasing flexibility, and core strength with each practice—trying to keep people as fit as they can be.”

Jean emphasizes the importance of meeting people where they are, and says her goal is to help people stay strong and alert by cultivating a sense of calm. 

“I think that at Charlestown and all the Erickson communities, the focus is on making the best of the years you have,” says Jean. “That’s what brought us here.”

As the Age Well Study demonstrates, maintaining good health in retirement involves more than just physical well-being—it also encompasses emotional and social wellness. Living in a CCRC, like Charlestown, that prioritizes well-being on multiple levels is what allows residents to make the most of their retirement years.

Request a brochure to learn more about how a move to an Erickson Senior Living community can support your health and well-being.