Mike Eisenga Discusses Staying at Home or Moving to a Senior Community – Things to Consider

When deciding how to spend their golden years, many seniors find themselves weighing the pros and cons of a senior living community. Health and financial concerns limit the possible options for too many seniors, but those that can consider a well-run and comfortable senior living community are indeed fortunate.

Michael Eisenga, an experienced real estate investor who enjoys developing local communities, especially the senior housing sector stated, “When I build a facility, I like to include things like private dining and an implant dentist nearby so that you can have your family come and visit and dine with them privately. We have space in the facility. We have a movie theater in the facilities that are new. We do an exercise room. We do a chapel. So we have lots of amenities.”

Here, Mike Eisenga discusses what an excellent senior living community is like and the kind of amenities it offers.

Independence

It is interesting to note that young people often struggle to comprehend their senior citizen parents’ desire to live independent lives. “Oh, mom. We would love to have you come live with us” is a common sentiment. Seniors appreciate this gesture, but they also recognize that living with their children may significantly reduce their ability to live an independent life.

The time may come when each person needs the level of care that restricts their independence, but few people are eager to give up their autonomy sooner than necessary.

Quality of Life

If not managed correctly, retirement can be bad for your health. Studies show that people who retire at 55 die sooner than people who retire at 65. After 65, early retirees have a 37% higher risk of death than those that retired at 65. People who retire at age 55 are 89% more likely to pass away in the next ten years than those who retire at 65.

One way to beat these statistics is to stay active – both mentally and physically. Senior living communities like Starhaven Villas are geared toward providing an active lifestyle for as long as a resident is capable.

Each community will vary, but standard amenities include:

  • Social events designed to help seniors make new friends
  • Recreational events to build strength and stamina
  • Health and wellness programs
  • Fitness clubs for daily workouts
  • Pools and spas to relax and regenerate
  • Classes such as cooking, gardening, art, and music to cultivate new interests

Relationships

There is no doubt that life’s most fulfilling experiences are associated with building and maintaining meaningful relationships. These associations make life worth living.

Living in a senior community provides ample opportunity to build close personal relationships with other seniors. Associating with others that have had similar life experiences brings peace, comfort, and stability.

Some may argue that moving in with adult children helps strengthen family relationships and should be considered on that basis. Each family is different, but seniors often have the life experience to understand that living in close proximity with loved ones can be detrimental to loving relationships. A little space is often needed to maintain the excitement, pleasure, and desire to spend time together.

Seniors love their families and want to spend time with them, but they also desire to learn and grow outside of the immediate family environment. Spending time with people of their age group often provides this opportunity.

About Michael Eisenga

Mike Eisenga is a successful commercial real estate investor with a banking and finance background and is the former mayor of the City of Columbus. As a President of both American Lending Solutions, a mortgage lending company (he founded and operated from 2000 to 2018), and First American Properties, he has a track record of creating and operating successful businesses. Mr. Eisenga is also devoted to property development and construction, primarily serving smaller local communities. Especially in the senior housing sector.