Mark and Elizabeth are unlike many people I know in their early 60"s, in that they are extremely fit and active. They found a community for active seniors like themselves. This makes me wonder. My wife and I are around the same age as them, and are both into gardening and vegetarian living. What type of other niche communities are available for us and friends with varying interests?

A. Seventy-eight million baby boomers are in the process of retiring, which means that there will be a rising demand for quality housing for an aging population. And like your cousins, many retirees are looking to break away from what is "normal" when it comes to housing. Therefore, senior housing communities are changing to keep up with their residents, most of whom are not looking for the "same old" senior housing options.

Niche senior communities or affinity retirement communities are a growing trend among seniors who want to spend their retirement among like-minded individuals who share a particular chosen passion - from gardening to dance, from motorcycle enthusiasts to hippies.  The most successful niche retirement communities are the ones where the residents engage over shared interests, professions, or lifestyle. Many of the facilities offer physical therapy and other amenities to address residents' changing health needs as they get older. Below are some examples:

For some Americans approaching retirement, choosing the right place to grow old is less about golf and weather than about finding neighbors who share their attitudes and interests.  Due to their popularity, housing experts say more niche communities are likely to make their way to market. However, niche senior communities are not for all retirees. Most seniors want to age in place -- living in the same community where they have resided for many years -- or at least in a community that is close to family. And most seniors don't want to live in a community with narrow interests.  Lastly, many seniors may not be active enough for these niche communities, and although they might like to find neighbors with shared interests, they may need more help than a niche community can provide. Even those who do choose a niche community in their 60s may eventually "age out" of these facilities due to health concerns and need to relocate to more traditional living options.  For other non-traditional housing options, please read our blog post, Non-Traditional Living Options for Seniors.

What happens when a niche community or other non-traditional living option is no longer enough to meet your needs? Nursing homes in Northern Virginia cost $10,000-$14,000 a month - a catastrophic expense for most families. So regardless of whether there is a village community or other alternative senior housing option in your area, it is always prudent to plan ahead in the event that assisted living or nursing home care is needed in the future.  Life Care Planning and Medicaid Asset Protection  is the process of protecting your assets from having to be needlessly "spent down" in connection with entry into a nursing home, while also helping ensure that you or your loved one get the best possible care and maintain the highest possible quality of life, whether at home, in an assisted living facility, or in a nursing home. Learn more at The Fairfax and Fredericksburg Virginia Elder Law Firm of Evan H. Farr, P.C. website, or by coming to one of our educational workshops.  Need asset protection or housing assistance now?  Call us to make an appointment for an introductory consultation:

• 703-691-1888 for Fairfax Medicaid Planning or anywhere else in Northern Virginia;
• 540-479-1435 for Fredericksburg Medicaid Planning or anywhere in Spotsylvania, Stafford, King George, Prince William, or other surrounding counties;
• 1-800-399-FARR for Medicaid Asset Protection anywhere in Virginia, DC, or Maryland.

• Eat lots of high-fiber whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. Consume fiber-rich foods such as fruit, vegetables, and whole grains.  Take it from me -- a distant cousin of the Energizer Bunny himself -- they will help Grandma feel more energetic and give her the fuel to keep on going!
• Take Supplemental Digestive Enzymes. If all that fiber gives you a bit of gas now and then, your body may be deficient in the production of digestive enzymes.  Digestive enzymes are necessary for digesting food, for stimulating the brain, for providing cellular energy, and for repairing body tissues, organs, and cells. Digestive enzymes ensure that we get the greatest possible nutritional value from foods. When foods are not well-digested, they remain in the stomach and can rot and putrefy. This can result in a buildup of waste in the colon which begins to decay, producing bacteria and toxins which eventually can seep through the bowel wall, where blood capillaries pick them up and distribute them throughout the body. This can result in all kinds of health problems, including constipation, stomach bloat, poor digestion, gas, fatigue, weight gain or weight loss, headaches, and more. Taking sufficient digestive enzymes ensures that your foods are more completely digested, helping to eliminate potential problems due to toxins.  Source:  http://www.betterway2health.com/enzymes-supplement-info.htm
• Watch out for dehydration. Because of physical changes, older adults are more prone to dehydration. Make sure your Grandma is drinking plenty of fluids, even if she doesn't feel thirsty.  If she's not getting enough water, she won't be as sharp and her energy will suffer. Keep in mind, water is best for people, but in my opinion, chilled carrot juice also tastes amazing.
• Host a social event (and maybe stage an impromptu mini-intervention).  Invite Grandma and a group of her friends over for lunch or dinner or another social event and be sure to put out bowls of candy along with lots of healthy food choices. When Grandma over-indulges in the candy in front of all her friends, maybe her friends (with your encouragement) will gently nudge/guilt her in a healthier direction.  Hopefully the peer pressure will steer her towards healthier eating, and you won't have to be the "bad guy."