Kensington Park’s Annual Speaker Series: Local Author Spotlight
Tuesday, April 16th at 2pm: Susan Coll, Author of Acceptance
Space is limited, click HERE & RSVP Now!
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Kensington Park’s Annual Speaker Series: Local Author Spotlight
Tuesday, April 16th at 2pm: Susan Coll, Author of Acceptance
Space is limited, click HERE & RSVP Now!
Open Mobile Menu

How to Select An Independent Living Community

Owning a home is a major responsibility. Even if you’ve paid off the mortgage, there are property taxes — and massive upkeep. Lawn and yard care in the warmer months. Snow and ice removal in winter. Keeping the rain gutters cleared and the driveway in good repair.

Not to mention all the internal maintenance a home demands. Again: even if you hire a housekeeper to clean and tidy for you, you’ll need to maintain the heating and air conditioning systems, as well as a houseful of appliances, from the refrigerator to washer and dryer, oven to the hot water heater.

Of course, you also have to prepare your own meals and clean up afterward, unless you eat out all the time. It’s a lot of labor for people in their 30s, 40s, or 50s. But at 70, 80, 90? Who needs it?

These are just a few of the reasons someone might choose to move to an independent living community.

If you have questions about the care our team at Kensington Park Senior Living can provide, please don’t wait to get in touch with us.

What Does “Independent Living” Mean?

Independent living means living in a community of your peers: other self-sufficient seniors who enjoy ready access to a wide variety of social, cultural and fitness activities. As the name implies, independent living means a senior can manage their day-to-day living needs without help, is in generally good health, and ready to relinquish the demands of owning a home.

Among the many senior living options available, independent living offers the greatest versatility and freedom. While you must be able to manage on your own in order to live in an independent living community, our concierge will assist residents with various tasks such as arranging transportation, providing technical services, coordinating porter services, booking personal appointments, and more. Cooking your own meals is optional — and you’ll never have to worry about mowing the lawn or repairing the roof again!

In the age of technology, it’s also easier than ever before to monitor a loved one’s safety, with a home care management platform such as EmPowerYu, or with wearables and sensors that let family members know how their loved one is doing living independently.

What is An Independent Living Community?

An independent living community refers to a residence in a compact, easy-to-maintain, private apartment or house within a senior living community.

Any housing arrangement designed exclusively for seniors (generally those age 55+; in some cases the age requirement is 62+) may be classified as an independent living community.

Independent living communities are also referred to as:

  • Retirement communities
  • Retirement homes
  • Senior apartments
  • Senior housing
  • 55+ or 62+ communities
  • Active adult communities

Those who reside at Kensington Park have the benefit of Kensington At Home, our licensed home health care provider. Kensington At Home service mirrors the high-caliber expertise, service, and professionalism that current residents of Kensington Park receive, with the convenience of care right in the comfort and privacy of their own home. It’s one more example of The Kensington promise: “To love and care for your family as we do our own.”

How Does Independent Living Differ from Assisted Living?

Seniors who opt for independent living must be able to manage their home and personal care needs on their own. In an assisted living community, residents want and receive some supportive care, such as help with bathing, dressing, grooming, eating, and medication reminders. Assisted living is also a good choice if a senior needs help to get to appointments.

At Kensington Park Senior Living, we offer the best of both worlds: independent living, assisted living, and memory care all in one location. A move to The Kensington means your loved one will truly be able to “age in place”, never needing to leave our lush 8-acre campus if their needs change with time.

Luxury Senior Living That Engages and Entertains

Once maintaining a home and property no longer commands most of a senior’s time and energy, he or she will be free to enjoy a wealth of opportunities that define the residential lifestyle at Kensington Park.

While service-minded professionals attend to the repairs, cleaning, cooking, scheduling, and organizing that takes place behind the scenes, our senior residents can enjoy all of the “exploration, excursion, and engagement” experiences that are the watchwords of life at Kensington Park.

For instance, would you like to visit our nation’s capital, just ten short miles away? Enlist the services of our Concierge, who will not only arrange your transportation but also help you plan the entire day if you wish. Our concierge can book you a spa appointment, make lunch reservations at a fine Washington, D.C. restaurant, and procure tickets for a museum tour or matinee — whatever you desire.

We strive to provide bespoke services, solutions, and amenities that cater to each resident’s every need at Kensington Park. As one satisfied resident told her daughter, “I’m having a blast, [Living at The Kensington] feels like I am on vacation.”

Life Enrichment Activities at Kensington Park

We haven’t yet touched on Kensington Park’s fine dining experience, the cornerstone of premier senior living. Our director of dining services, Morissa Harris, aims to “transform each mealtime gathering into a sensational dining experience.” Morissa grew up cooking alongside her dad and says bringing satisfaction to others as they dine is in her nature.

To help fulfill this goal, Kensington Park maintains its own herb and produce garden. Morissa selects appropriate items to incorporate into upcoming menus — following a discussion with residents about what they’d like to eat.

Beyond this nutritious cuisine, presentation, and service, our elegant atmosphere features fresh flowers and festive, color-coordinated table treatments. We encourage you to dine with your loved one here as often as your time and location permit.

When they’re not enjoying our healthful, delicious cuisine, residents are typically engaged in any one of a wide variety of life enrichment activities and events, which research has proven benefit health and longevity. Our full-time life enrichment coordinators work with our team to create an ever-changing calendar of social activities designed to keep residents as busy and engaged as they wish to be.

We’ve partnered with a number of exceptional outside organizations to offer innovative programs that support the full spectrum of resident well being, such as AFTA (Arts for the Aging), whose mission is to engage older adults and care partners in life enhancement through regular participation in creative arts, which has been shown to stimulate body, mind and spirit.

We encourage you to visit us soon and often, to participate in our events, join us for the evening cocktail hour and meal — or just drop by anytime to say hello. At Kensington Park, we care for your family as we do our own — and that means you’re part of our family, too. Welcome home.

If you have questions about the care our team at Kensington Park Senior Living can provide, please don’t wait to get in touch with us.
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