Del Webb, America’s largest homebuilder of active adult communities, released in April its 10th Baby Boomer survey since 1996. It reveals new and compelling facts and opinions from the generation of Americans born between the years of 1946 and 1964 and estimated to be 80 million strong by 2020. Unlike previous age groups, the survey indicates the Boomer mindset toward growing older and retirement living are as revolutionary as their culture.
A Build-Your-Own Sancwich Party for Boomers at Huguenot Road Baptist Church provided opportunity for fun and fellowship.
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Today’s Boomers are used to life in the fast lane and have no plans to slow down. According to the survey, not only do many of them want to continue working when they retire, they also want to live in retirement communities that foster active lifestyles and stimulate their bodies and brains every day.
The Virginia Baptist Homes operates continuing care communities located in Culpeper, Newport News, Richmond and Roanoke, Va., and administrators are aware of the changing landscape of facilities and services desired by today’s seniors.
When the ministry of the Virginia Baptist Homes was founded in the late 1940s, Monica Hillery, director of public relations and communications for the Homes, says people lived very similar lives. “They raised their families, often in two generation homes, and lived close enough to walk to church, downtown or a nearby store. This provided a sense of independence as people aged because they could still do most things on their own– many until the day they took their last breath,” she says.
Today many older people live by themselves in neighborhoods that have drastically changed over the years and many are miles away from family, Hillery notes.
New statistics from Bowling Green State University’s National Center for Family and Marriage Research found one-third of adults aged 45-63 are unmarried. This represents a more than a 50 percent increase since 1980, when just 20 percent of adults approaching retirement were unmarried.
The Spinning Threads group at The Glebe knitted hats for babies, children and adults and donated them to Botetourt County Department of Social Services during the winter of 2011. From left are Flo Durmann, Ann Hehre, Hilda Knapp, Charlotte Yeatts, Nancy Berthoff, Jane Spell, Mary Young and Anne daCosta. Not pictured are: Brenda Clarke, Beverly Fiske, Nan Detert, Ruth Frederick, Barbara Koch, Joy Patten and Martha Topping.
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“With the increase of divorced or never married residents, feeling part of a family and community is a wonderful solution to many emotional and mental health concerns,” adds Hillery. This is a natural part of life in the Homes’ communities. The availability of a chaplain and the ease of meeting new neighbors and joining in with others give many residents an instant feeling of belonging and being wanted.
Volunteerism is important to today’s Baby Boomers and residents at all of the Homes’ communities are very involved in their local communities and churches through volunteering, choir and teaching.
“Faith and spiritual support are a part of daily life, and residents appreciate that their faith is respected and upheld through our staff and programs,”according to Hillery.
The availability of chaplains not only to lead in vesper services but for counseling and visitation is seen as a priority for its communities and each has resident committees to support the spiritual life of residents.
Are the needs of today’s seniors resulting in changes in services provided at the Homes? During her 40 years of employment at the Homes, Hillery can definitely identify several.
“Residents of Virginia Baptist Homes live longer in our communities,” Hillery remarks. Primary services to support and enhance their lives focus on spiritual, nutritional, social, educational and cultural programs and wellness/fitness opportunities. As resident’s age there are needs for temporary and/or long-term services through assisted living, memory support and nursing care all of which are on site, along with rehabilitative services.
The Homes now offer assistance in obtaining the service of professionals to assist in moving a resident. It also partners with Moving Stations, a company that assists residents with the preparation for and sale of their house, a service provided at no charge.
“Providing benevolent financial support, one of the foundations of our ministry, has continued to be a priority for all of the more than 66 years of the ministry of Virginia Baptist Homes,” she said.
Since the 1970s health care costs have continued to increase and that in conjunction with residents living longer has increased the need for benevolent funds. In recent years the economic downturn has impacted giving by both individuals and churches.
“It is a privilege for Virginia Baptist Homes to provide care and service for all of our residents regardless of their ability to fully cover the cost of their care,” remarks Hillery. The Homes is grateful for donors who continue to provide funds to support residents in need of financial assistance.
Of all the good things about getting old, the best by far, according to older adults, is spending more time with family. The 1,109 residents living at The Chesapeake in Newport News, Lakewood Manor in Richmond, The Glebe in Daleville, in addition to the Culpeper Baptist Retirement Community, can enjoy retirement with an extended family.
“Life is enhanced through the sense of community, services and amenities that give residents the time and opportunity to enjoy meaningful retirement,” says Hillery.
Barbara Francis ([email protected]) is a staff writer for the Herald.