Activities can define a retirement community. Learn more about the different activities these communities can provide.

What is an active adult community? While we can define it based on age restrictions—home to anyone 55 or older—that’s not what draws people to these communities. Many gated communities can fit that definition easily. The same goes with many other features that retirees like: Low-maintenance housing, nice amenities shared by the community, and a central location. 

Instead, what makes an active adult community is its activities. In other words, the events and such where retirees and seniors can spend time together. While you may be able to just meet your neighbors and get along with them, it takes organized events and activities to really get to know the people around you, especially if they live a little further down the street or may be a little less sociable. With the right activities, you can feel at home living in these communities.

Different Types of Activities for Active Adults

When looking at retirement communities and such, you’ll want programming that fits your active lifestyle as much as possible. But what that means can vary. Sometimes you want to spend your free time being outdoors. Other times, you may want to learn something you couldn’t when you were still in the workforce. Still others, you may want to kick back, relax, and spend time with people in your neighborhood. The ideal active adult community will have programming that suits your needs. Here are some examples of activities you can do.

Music is a great way to connect with other retirees such as yourself. If you have a knack for singing or playing an instrument, some communities will have active choirs and bands for you to join. You’ll get a chance to perform like you always have to a crowd that will support you. Never got the chance to start playing? It’s never too late to learn, with many communities offering music classes. Of course, if you’d rather watch than play, retirement communities will offer regular concerts, including cover bands that will play some of your favorite songs.

If you’re looking to join an active adult community close to a major airport, it’s probably because you still want to see the world after retirement. But many communities will support your travel dreams regardless of where you are. They run travel groups that allow you to visit places around the country and the world, often at a discount. It makes it easy for you to see the sights without feeling alone, while also staying affordable. In addition, many places offer on-site travel agents that allow you to plan your next trip, with or without friends in the community.

Retirement’s the best time to learn a new hobby, and what better time to do that than in a community that supports both doing and learning new crafts. Many have hobby centers that include studios for practicing woodworking, pottery, glassmaking, and more. They will also host classes to learn these crafts, allowing you to showcase that creativity to members of the community. 

In life, you never stop learning something new every day. But if you’re more curious about the world, then many active adult communities offer lifelong learning opportunities. These take the form of regular classes on many subjects, whether it’s American history or marine biology. These take the form of structured courses lasting several weeks, though you won’t necessarily get a surprise quiz or exam. Of course, in certain communities, especially those in college towns, they’ll have partnerships with the local university, so you can actually earn credit towards a college degree.

Of course, being active can mean getting physical. But that can also mean doing more than just taking a jog on the walking trails or a daily bike ride. Exercise classes are standard fare at retirement communities, but many go further with sports and strength training. You can join a pickleball club, or spend time with a hiking group climbing a nearby mountain. Of course, if you prefer low-key physical activity, there’s always swimming classes and tai chi.

Benefits of Having Many Active Adult Activities

When you join an active adult community with great programs, your life will feel enriched in many ways. First, you’ll meet and earn lifelong friends within the community, based on your common interests. Second, you’ll feel like part of the community, being more closely connected to those around you. Your neighbors will get to know you better. Next, it’s a healthy way to stay active, as you’ll have something that keeps you going. Finally, you’ll never get bored.

When it comes to finding activities that suit your active lifestyle, the tricky part is finding the right community that suits your needs. Thankfully, Kithward can help with our selection of active adult communities that you can view and book a tour with.

What Makes Retirement Communities? Activities, Of Course!

Is your house feeling too big, cluttered, or expensive to maintain? Learn more about downsizing when you retire.

On the verge of retirement, it’s important to think about what you want to do with your home. While many retirees hope to age in place, that may not always be the best idea. Your home may feel too big, have become cluttered, or is simply a hassle to maintain. Whether you want to stay put, or sell your home and move into a retirement community, it’s important to consider downsizing. It helps make your life easier and makes things less stressful for you and your family, regardless of what you do or where you go.

Downsizing is moving to a smaller home or reducing the amount of space you take up in your home. It’s often tied in with decluttering, where you pare down what you have so it takes up less space than usual. Downsizing doesn’t mean a change in the quality of life you have, merely the amount of space your life takes up.

It’s very common to downsize: According to a Merrill Lynch survey, 51% of retirees who move from their old home downsize, compared to 30% who upsize and 19% who move to a similar-sized home. 

Downsizing becomes important if and when you decide to move to a 55+ community such as a life plan community. Moving can be a stressful time for you and your family, and you have to consider how much you really want to take with you to your new home. It can also be a factor if you need to make an emergency move, especially after a health crisis.

Of course, the reasons you may want to consider downsizing after retirement sometimes may have little to do with where you’re going and what you want to do, and more about what you have now. You may have spent years living in this house, but it may be time to change. The kids are no longer home, and even if you use one of their rooms as a guest room, they’re typically empty. You likely no longer need as many of your possessions as you did years ago. You may keep an active lifestyle, but getting around a big house like yours can be a hassle. On top of all this, it’s expensive to maintain your home, especially now that you’re retired. When you consider all these reasons, downsizing may be the best option.

Of course, downsizing isn’t for every retiree or senior. While there are many reasons to downsize, there are other reasons that will compel you to stay put. You may want to stay close to your family, or you’re still an active part of your community. Regardless, there are questions to ask yourself before you consider downsizing. Even if you choose to stay, asking these questions may help you declutter your home so you can have a better living situation.

When you first bought your home, you probably had a clear vision of what your lifestyle would look like: Raising kids and pets, spending time with your spouse, getting along with the neighbors. But now that the kids are no longer home, it may just be you, your spouse, and/or your pets. Your lifestyle may have changed, and it’s possible your house no longer suits that lifestyle. If that’s the case, then downsizing might be a good idea. 

One of the most important factors about moving for your retirement, let alone downsizing, is your social life. Is your home the host of regular gatherings with friends, family, your community? Or does your house only have an occasional visit from your family or friends? These can not only impact whether you stay put, but also the size of your home should you move. If you love to host parties and events, you may feel less inclined to downsize to smaller homes.

It’s very easy to turn your child’s old bedroom into a storage space. But if you’re doing that, the question you should ask yourself is why. Unused rooms, even those converted to storage, mean more time cleaning and repairing them when you don’t really need. If you have rooms you aren’t using regularly, downsizing may be a good idea.

How Many Of Your Possessions Do You Need?

When we talk about possessions, we’re not referring to keepsakes and heirlooms. We’re talking about everyday items that are simply a part of your home and you could gift to your children or donate to a thrift store. If you have a lot of items you use regularly, you may feel no need to downsize, though there may be opportunities to declutter.

Many people enjoy gardening and taking care of their lawns, others may like doing repairs to their home. But you may not like doing either, and you may find them too expensive to your tastes or too difficult for your body to do. Moving to a smaller home can help reduce the need for maintenance, and moving to a retirement community that takes care of maintenance can be even better.

Depending on how you answer these questions, you may find that downsizing to a smaller home can be the solution. If and when you decide to downsize, Kithward is here to provide you with a variety of retirement communities offering unique floor plans that are just the right size for you.

“Aging in place” is a term used to describe a person’s ability to remain in their home or community of choice for as long as possible, even as their needs for assistance and health care grow and change with age.

According to a recent AARP survey of people aged 65 and over, about 90% of seniors want to age in place. 

For some, this means staying in a home they have resided in for many years. In these cases, seniors and their families must plan thoroughly -- financially and otherwise -- for the home modifications, personal assistance and health care that will become increasingly necessary over time. 

Those who desire to live and remain in a community, however, will need to make sure the community itself can provide the necessary personal assistance and skilled medical care on site. 

While there are some communities that have independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing all together, most independent living facilities are strictly independent. Should a person get sick or fall and require assistance, they will need to move to a different community that offers assisted living or skilled nursing, as the case may be..

There are assisted living facilities that also provide skilled nursing care while others can provide or coordinate hospice care on site. 

One option that allows for aging in place is called a continuing care retirement community (CCRC), also known as a life plan community. Individuals or couples can enter a CCRC as active, independent seniors and enjoy a campus-like community which often boasts amenities such as pools, tennis courts, golf courses, libraries, lounges and multiple restaurants. Residents have a calendar of activities and events from which to choose so they can stay engaged physically, spiritually, creatively, and intellectually. 

Housing at CCRCs can range from single family homes to studio apartments, all with full kitchens and appliances and where home maintenance is taken care of by the community staff. Should a resident need assistance with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, or grooming, or medication management, they can either hire their own private personal aide  or move into the assisted living part of the community. If and when ongoing medical health care is required, they will have skilled nursing available to them as well. CCRCS offer a guarantee that residents will be taken care of as they age.

At Kithward, you can search for CCRCs or explore independent living communities that will allow you to age in place.

Discover Redstone Village, a Life Plan residential community in Huntsville, Alabama, with a tradition of excellence. Here, you will enjoy what has always been important to you and experience new adventures among friends. Located on a bluff overlooking the Tennessee River and the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, we know you’ll delight in the glorious views, fellowship and idyllic lifestyle.

Invite friends for an afternoon tea or fresh mimosa on your balcony or patio. Dine in your residence or savor a variety of menu options prepared by our talented culinary team. Take part in our wellness program, which provides an extensive social calendar and individual activities for holistic enrichment at our full-service Life Plan residential senior living community.

Enjoy the views of an impeccably manicured lawn and home without ever having to lift a finger. Breathe in the fresh air on a scenic stroll through our picturesque campus with the Appalachian Mountains in your sights. Explore the peace of mind that comes with never having to worry about the increasing costs of long-term care. At Redstone Village, the entrance fee and predictable monthly service fee of our Life Care agreement guarantees you access to personalized, professional health services, if ever needed, from the day you move in.

Living at Huntsville’s only locally owned and operated continuing care retirement community gives you ample choices for how you spend each day with added confidence for the future. From impeccably appointed apartments and villas to holistic wellness programming, exceptional dining and entertainment – you’ll find everything you ever expected from retirement living and more.

Our experienced team of professionals treats residents throughout all levels of care with compassion and respect. Plus, the assurance of personalized assisted living, memory support, skilled nursing and rehabilitation, as well as Parkinson’s care and hospice care, available in one distinguished senior living community, means you’ll feel right at home.

The independent living villas at Redstone Village offer the best of both worlds – the independence of a private residence, located in a vibrant, active neighborhood with close access to the main building. Our independent living apartment homes are designed for individuals and couples alike who value convenience and community, just steps away from our wide variety of first-class amenities and various dining venues.

Tailored options for recreation, relaxation and entertainment will preserve your favorite past times and inspire new interests. With weekly local trips, bridge, wine and cheese socials, shopping, Wii bowling league and billiard tournaments, you’ll find there’s never a dull moment at Redstone Village. Our monthly activity calendar is filled with many choices for social, physical, intellectual and spiritual enrichment. Everything we do encourages healthy living, making it more convenient than ever to age successfully.

Redstone Village’s independent living apartments and villas are surrounded by a beautifully landscaped campus you’ll be proud to share with friends and family. And each of our senior residences offers the ease of maintenance-free living, simplifying the responsibilities of daily chores with specialized services and amenities.



Redstone Village

Conveniently located on over 30 acres of beautiful scenery, Regency Retirement Community has been providing an exceptional retirement living experience for Huntsville area seniors for over 3 decades. As a continuing care retirement community, we provide compassionate care through the seasons of life. We offer independent retirement living, assisted living, and memory care as well as skilled nursing and rehab services.

At Regency Retirement Community of Huntsville, residents enjoy a pampered, carefree lifestyle filled with activities, chef inspired meals, and weekly housekeeping services all in a friendly, family like atmosphere.

At Regency Village of Huntsville, we offer activities to keep our residents engaged in their community while encouraging an independent lifestyle. Our Activity Directors are always planning various new activities, outings, and scheduled events to keep your loved ones healthy and happy. While we recommend that our residents participate in daily activities, they are welcome to schedule each day according to their preference. At Regency Retirement Community, everyone is free to enjoy their retirement the way they choose to spend it.

Regency Retirement Village of Huntsville is ideal for seniors with an active and independent lifestyle, but wish to have certain amenities and services provided, such as cooking and cleaning. Regency residents can enjoy an independent, active lifestyle within the atmosphere of a retirement community.





Regency Retirement Village

At Magnolia Trace in Huntsville, AL, we combine the most desirable aspects of an Alabama retirement community with the warmth and convenience of life in a charming small city. Our Huntsville, Alabama active adult community is close to many cultural and historical attractions, as well as the Birmingham VA Hospital, the many military services at Redstone Arsenal, and NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center. Plus, Huntsville was recently named by Kiplinger as one of the best places to retire in the United States.


Our Huntsville, AL retirement community offers Acts' Type A Life Care Contract. This secure contract assures residents that they will be financially stable throughout retirement. Magnolia Trace is also accredited by CARF International. This is the highest accreditation that a CCRC can achieve.


Our Huntsville, Alabama retirement community offers large carriage homes, as well as one, two, and, three bedroom apartment homes to fit your needs. Our Huntsville community also features assisted living suites and Continuing Care accommodations if needed. Create a residence that fits your individual lifestyle.

Magnolia Trace

Huntsville

Search for the perfect senior independent living community in Huntsville, AL and explore communities in its neighborhoods.

Independent Living in Huntsville, AL - Kithward

Located in Madison County, Huntsville is a sprawling city found amidst the Appalachian region of northern Alabama.

As the most populous city in Alabama, there are many retirement communities in Huntsville, Alabama to consider moving to. Anyone searching for a place that offers ample senior living opportunities will find that Huntsville is a welcoming destination. 

Among the nearly two dozen golf courses that retiring individuals can spend time at, the Sunset Landing Golf Course, Colonial Golf Course, and Valley Hill Country Club are considered to be premier locations for anyone who enjoys golfing. Stop by the Huntsville Museum of Art or the Historic Huntsville Depot to learn more about the history of Huntsville City.

Find your perfect senior independent living community in Huntsville, AL

Located in Madison County, Huntsville is a sprawling city found amidst the Appalachian region of northern Alabama.

Living in Huntsville

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What Makes Retirement Communities? Activities, Of Course!

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