Distinctly Montana Magazine

H E A LT H Y, W E L L & F I T S P E C I A L S E C T I O N 59 CONSUMERS ARE CHANGING THE GAME. Montana defines "seniors" as people 55 and older. Seniors now Skype friends and grandchildren, shop online, and use Facebook. ey have changed the world, and they're not about to stop any time soon. New consumer demand has led to new concepts such as independent living communities and has displaced ideas that don't serve seniors well. Taking care of a large house and yard used to be the goal of the American Dream, often to the det- riment of loved ones who slowly became servants instead of masters of their own homes. Today's seniors put their lifestyle before their street address and are willing to move to fulfill their dreams. SO DREAM BIG. Modern seniors know that they are consumers with options and are willing to think outside the box. I recommend you relax and come up with a "Wish List" with the sky as your limit. How about allowances for furry friends? Quiet and privacy? Great views of the outdoors? Snowbird rates? Does it include a fitness center? No steps? New construction? Housekeeping? A club house to rent out for parties and family reunions? Gardening space? A guest room? A town with a vibrant senior citizen community? Some meals? Community events? A garage? Close proximity to hospitals, airports, and shopping? A town without heavy traffic constraints? Such places most certainly exist. e Peaks offers all of them. PLAY DETECTIVE. Once you have your "Wish List" completed, it's time to scope out your options to make your dreams real. Be aware that some popular websites advertising senior housing options only allow large facilities of 20 or more units to do business with them, so it's important to use more than one source to do your research. I recommend contacting a county's Council on Aging, whose staff will have your best interests in mind and have a wider scope for options in their area. You can also call the centers directly and ask them about items on your "Wish List." A senior living facility with no fitness center or community garden, for example, may be a tell that they are looking out more for your check instead of your well- being. If you are seriously interested, many places allow you to spend a night in a vacant apartment, so take a chance and make an adventure of it. SOONER IS BETTER THAN LATER. It is a sad situation for loved ones when seniors live alone in a house that they can no longer care for, waiting for a major medical event to force them into an unwanted living situation. If homes fall out-of-date or into disrepair, they can become expensive to fix and property values can decline. It is often better for anyone to evaluate and reevaluate their living situation to deter- mine if it's truly fulfilling their needs. When people are really honest with themselves, most don't enjoy the unending intervals of house maintenance, housework, mowing the lawn, shoveling the snow, and washing windows. Most would much rather spend that time with their families and friends, volunteering for causes they care about, and favorite means of recreation. Today's seniors know their time and relationships are valuable and set their priorities accordingly. DECISIONS GIVE YOU FREEDOM. e root of the word "decision" is literally "a cutting off." As you explore which senior living options fulfill your "Wish List" and cut off ones that don't you will find a new peace in knowing that you can make your dreams come true. Share your findings with your friends and family and move forward with your informed decision to change your life for the better. Live your life to the fullest and enjoy your retirement. 1 2 3 4 5 THE PEAKS: INDEPENDENT LIVING BY LINDSEY DORRINGTON LINDSEY DORRINGTON and her husband SAGE are the owners and operators of The Peaks: Independent Living, a brand-new retirement community in Ronan. They can be reached at (406) 676-PEAK (7325) and at thepeaksronan.com.

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