Planning for retirement and financial planning often go hand-in-hand. While having the financial resources to maintain a comfortable lifestyle is critically important, there is much more to successful retirement planning than just having money in the bank.
A solid retirement plan should also include an assessment of your goals and interests. How do you envision your retirement lifestyle? Where will you live?
Studies show that a retirement lifestyle that includes community engagement, strong social ties, and physical activity contributes to greater happiness and better overall health and resilience.
The right community can enhance your lifestyle, so it’s important to explore your options.
Erickson Senior Living, a nationally recognized leader in continuing care retirement communities, gives prospective residents a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the active, worry-free lifestyle through each community’s customizable priority list program.
At Wind Crest, an Erickson Senior Living community in Douglas County, Colo., priority list members experience the community’s lifestyle at their own pace and on their own schedule.
Perks of the priority list
“Joining the priority list is an opportunity to enjoy and engage with the community, which regular visitors don’t get to do,” says Sharon Baksa, a director at Erickson Senior Living. “This is not just a waiting list. The priority list is like a club that entitles you to privileges. Members enjoy dining in our restaurants, attending special events, and getting to know the staff and residents. We celebrate the fact that you are a priority list member, and you are entitled to the privileges afforded to members of the club.”
Priority list members can reserve a specific apartment home design before members of the public. For anyone who has a strong preference for a particular model, an early spot on the list can make all the difference.
Priority list members also receive invitations to special events, seminars, and parties, and they are the first to receive community news and updates.
“The priority list granted us access to people at Wind Crest that could answer a lot of questions we had. They were very responsive! And then for me, personally, what I liked the best was having the freedom to come over and see the community whenever I wanted,” says community member Karen MacFarland. “We really appreciated all the information. That was probably the most beneficial—to help us make the best decision.”
“Joining the priority list is more like signing up for a membership. You’re able to take advantage of exclusive events that we’re hosting,” adds Sales Director Krista Wagner. “You can enjoy delicious meals in any one of our dining venues, meet other residents, and try out the community’s lifestyle by finding clubs and activities that you’re interested in. Best of all, when someone gets on the list, they can change their minds risk-free. The priority list fee is fully refundable.”
Access to moving support
Another exclusive benefit of joining the priority list is access to the Erickson Realty and Moving Services program.
From recommending a trusted real estate agent to sell your current home to advice on decorating your new apartment, Erickson Realty and Moving Services staff help priority list members have a stress-free move every step of the way.
“People sometimes think the Erickson Realty and Moving Services program is only for people who are about to move, but priority list members are not necessarily ready to move immediately. They may be waiting for a specific apartment home design that we don’t have available yet or they may be just waiting for when the time is right for them to move,” says Baksa.
“People who join the priority list should know that we can help them with whatever challenges they’re faced with as they start to think about transitioning from a house to their new apartment home. Whether they are moving now or next year, we can help.”
Priority list members also have a unique opportunity to “test-drive” retirement living through Wind Crest’s Live the Life program.
Live the Life
“Live the Life is a complimentary overnight experience customized for each priority list member,” says Brian Hance, a senior director at Erickson Senior Living.
“We tailor each itinerary to the interests of the priority list member. Some members are mostly interested in the cuisine, so they will want to experience a few of the restaurants, others want to try a fitness center class. It’s a chance to get to know the layout, talk with residents, and spend time in an apartment home.”
Your journey begins with a $1,000 priority list deposit, which is applied to the apartment home you choose or fully refundable should you decide to change your priority status.
Joining the priority list is a commitment-free and financially sound way for prospective residents to see for themselves the benefits and amenities that come with living at Wind Crest.
The first step to enjoying maintenance-free retirement living at Wind Crest is to request a brochure.