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Here Comes the Boom Senior living facilities are adapting to the needs of baby boomers.
PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES
By Peter Tonguette From the antiwar movement to gender equality, the baby boom generation helped spark social change during its years of youth and middle age. Now, as baby boomers enter their retirement years, they are about to set off another wave of changes. As ever greater numbers of boomers officially acquire senior-citizen status, senior living facilities throughout the country must keep up. That includes facilities in Central Ohio, which are contending with an influx of boomers as well as the specific needs and wants of that trailblazing demographic. “We all know the silver tsunami is coming and is here, technically,” says Lee Meredith of Friendship Village of Dublin. “The city of Dublin just did a housing study last year that says that the 65-plus population will actually increase by 38 percent in the next 20 years.” Those fig-
ures, Meredith notes, don’t account for population growth in the area that will undoubtedly add to the number of seniors seeking appropriate housing. The first issue to deal with is inventory. “[Boomers are] experiencing a longer life expectancy due to health care and medical advances, which is also resulting in them working longer and retiring at a later age,” says Amy Finke of the Franklin County Office on Aging. “On the other hand, we’re also seeing an increase in costs for health care, food, housing … so there’s also the need to work longer to maintain [and] make ends meet.” In time, boomers will eventually want to downsize, Meredith says, but when they do, they will face the same tight housing market as everyone else. “Is there housing available in the range that they’re looking for?” Meredith says. “[Boomers are] going from a home that had four, five
or six people in it, that was probably 3-to5,000 square feet, down to something that is more manageable on a single level that they can age in place in.” Senior living facilities see themselves as well positioned to respond. For example, Friendship Village of Dublin—whose levels of resident options include independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing and memory care—just completed a $100 million master plan renovation of its campus, including adding new apartment options and a memory care community. But, for boomers to find such complexes attractive, the facilities recognize that they need to appeal to the average boomer mindset. “Maybe their parents looked at retirement as, ‘I just want to sit in the library and read the newspaper,’ ” Meredith says. “We’re not your mom’s nursing home—in fact, we hate that terminology.” With that in mind, Friendship Village OCTOBER 2023 COLUMBUS MONTHLY
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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
Here Comes the Boom Senior living facilities are adapting to the needs of baby boomers.
PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES
By Peter Tonguette From the antiwar movement to gender equality, the baby boom generation helped spark social change during its years of youth and middle age. Now, as baby boomers enter their retirement years, they are about to set off another wave of changes. As ever greater numbers of boomers officially acquire senior-citizen status, senior living facilities throughout the country must keep up. That includes facilities in Central Ohio, which are contending with an influx of boomers as well as the specific needs and wants of that trailblazing demographic. “We all know the silver tsunami is coming and is here, technically,” says Lee Meredith of Friendship Village of Dublin. “The city of Dublin just did a housing study last year that says that the 65-plus population will actually increase by 38 percent in the next 20 years.” Those fig-
ures, Meredith notes, don’t account for population growth in the area that will undoubtedly add to the number of seniors seeking appropriate housing. The first issue to deal with is inventory. “[Boomers are] experiencing a longer life expectancy due to health care and medical advances, which is also resulting in them working longer and retiring at a later age,” says Amy Finke of the Franklin County Office on Aging. “On the other hand, we’re also seeing an increase in costs for health care, food, housing … so there’s also the need to work longer to maintain [and] make ends meet.” In time, boomers will eventually want to downsize, Meredith says, but when they do, they will face the same tight housing market as everyone else. “Is there housing available in the range that they’re looking for?” Meredith says. “[Boomers are] going from a home that had four, five
or six people in it, that was probably 3-to5,000 square feet, down to something that is more manageable on a single level that they can age in place in.” Senior living facilities see themselves as well positioned to respond. For example, Friendship Village of Dublin—whose levels of resident options include independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing and memory care—just completed a $100 million master plan renovation of its campus, including adding new apartment options and a memory care community. But, for boomers to find such complexes attractive, the facilities recognize that they need to appeal to the average boomer mindset. “Maybe their parents looked at retirement as, ‘I just want to sit in the library and read the newspaper,’ ” Meredith says. “We’re not your mom’s nursing home—in fact, we hate that terminology.” With that in mind, Friendship Village OCTOBER 2023 COLUMBUS MONTHLY
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of Dublin, which services those 62 and older, recently added a second fitness center and a full-service salon and spa. And, in partnership with the city of Dublin, the community teamed to create a pickleball court. “[Boomers] remember it as a nice place but had one restaurant and maybe there was a pool table,” Meredith says of boomers’ ideas about earlier incarnations of Friendship Village of Dublin. “Now they come in, and they’re like, ‘Oh, you mean you have over 100 activities every week?’ ” The community offers lifelong-learning lectures, and art programs, as well as offsite trips and activities. “Baby boomers don’t think they are ever going to age, so we are giving them the opportunity to not age, to continue to learn, to continue to volunteer and be active in their community,” Meredith says. Aging boomers are seeking continuity between their previous lives and their new circumstances, says Sami Baker of Westerwood. “They’re worried that they’re going to lose some of that independence and that they’re not going to be able to do the things that they like to do,” says Baker, whose facility in Columbus recently added a putting green, bocce ball court and fire pits. “In the last few years with the baby boomers, we have become very resident-driven,” she says. “All of our programs’ committees are pretty much run by our residents.” The senior living facility includes 193 independent living apartments—a number that has shrunk to accommodate boomer-friendly renovations. “A lot
of the people who are moving in have wanted bigger apartments,” Baker says. “We’re doing a ton of renovations to our apartments, and we’re actually combining smaller apartments to make larger units.” Renovations also include open-concept floor plans, all-stainless-steel appliances and new cabinetry and countertops— trends that mirror those in the regular housing market. “Those that are coming in want larger, and they want newer,” Baker says. Tech-savvy boomers are also accustomed to remaining at the cutting edge, even as they start to settle down. “We are also seeing that they’ve been exposed to more technology as they age, resulting in them having a better grasp on understanding and using technology to stay connected via social media [or] email,” Finke says. For example, Westerwood outfits each of its apartments with an Alexa device, which supplants the previous in-person check-ins on residents.“[Residents] can log in and let us know that they’re here, [and] they’re OK,” Baker says. “We will send all of our updates through Alexa, [as well as] messages and anything about our programs.” Central Ohio senior living facilities are also adapting to the new normal of many boomers entering their complexes at a later point in their lives. In response to that, Friendship Village of Dublin offers a “Friendship at Home” program, essentially an alternate version of longterm care insurance for those 62 and older, Meredith says. In the program, health services are offered in seniors’ own residences.
“If you needed up to and including skilled nursing and 24-hour care, it’s provided in your home,” Meredith says. Additionally, the company’s Bailey at Bridge Park community will open its doors in 2024. The complex rents maintenance-free apartments for those 55 and older who wish to downsize but are not yet ready to commit to a senior living facility. There is no medical component to the program, but other amenities are bountiful, including a fitness center and activity space. “The thought of having to manage a home just isn’t what they want to do anymore,” Meredith says. “It’s an apartment [with] people like you, and they’re in the same station of life as you.” But Baker encourages older Central Ohioans to consider the real advantages of independent living-oriented senior living. “They are independent, but it’s more stress-free living,” she says. “They don’t have to worry about housekeeping, maintenance, yardwork, anything like that.” And, when health issues eventually compel aging boomers to tap other resources provided by senior living communities, such facilities are often ready to help. For example, Westerwood also provides assisted living, memory care, a rehab center and long-term care. But, with the flood of aging boomers, those considering the transition shouldn’t delay. “What worries everyone in senior living right now is: Will there be enough space for our aging population?” Meredith says. “We don’t have the resources any longer to say, ‘Oh, well, mom can move into the house.’ ”
Senior Living Directory 2023 KEY IL – independent living units AL – assisted living units MC – memory care units SN – skilled nursing units ABBINGTON ASSISTED LIVING abbingtononline.com Abbington of Arlington Assisted Living 1320 Old Henderson Rd., Columbus; 614-451-4575; 44 AL Abbington of Pickerington Assisted Living
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9480 Blacklick-Eastern Rd., Pickerington; 614-577-0822; 48 AL Abbington of Powell Assisted Living 3971 Bradford Court, Powell; 614-789-9868; 48 AL ALPINE HOUSE alpinehouse.net Alpine House of Columbus 1001 Schrock Rd., Columbus; 614-505-3531; 55 AL DUBLIN GLEN MEMORY CARE dublinglen.com Dublin Glen Memory Care 6355 Emerald Pkwy., Dublin;
614-761-9200; 66 MC ARROW SENIOR LIVING arrowseniorliving.com Carriage Court Senior Living 3570 Heritage Club Dr., Hilliard; 614-529-7470; 87 AL, 16 MC Our Home Senior Living New Albany 5055 Thompson Rd., Columbus; 614-855-3700; unknown number of units BICKFORD SENIOR LIVING bickfordseniorliving.com
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Bickford of Bexley 2600 E. Main St., Bexley; 614-235-3900; 33 AL, 20 MC Bickford of Scioto 3500 Riverside Dr., Columbus; 614-457-3500; unknown number of units Bickford of Worthington 6525 N. High St., Worthington; 614-846-6500; 54 AL, 27 MC BROOKDALE SENIOR LIVING SOLUTIONS brookdale.com Brookdale Lakeview Crossing 4000 Lakeview Crossing, Groveport; 614-836-5990; 73 AL, 16 MC Brookdale Muirfield 7220 Muirfield Dr., Dublin; 614-336-3677; 54 AL, 30 MC Brookdale Pinnacle 1305 Lamplighter Dr., Grove City; 614-277-1200; 83 AL, 23 MC Brookdale Trillium Crossing 3500 Trillium Crossing, Columbus; 614-734-1000; 120 AL Brookdale Westerville 6377 Cooper Rd., Columbus; 614-901-2100; 31 AL, 12 MC
CAPITAL HEALTH CARE NETWORK capitalhealthcarenetwork.com Gardens of Scioto 433 Obetz Rd., Suite 200, Columbus; 614-558-3141; 15 IL Meadows of Scioto 433 Obetz Rd., Suite 100, Columbus; 614-558-3141; 120 SN Villas of Scioto 433 Obetz Rd., Suite 300, Columbus; 614-558-3141; 32 AL CENTURY PARK centurypa.com Mayfair Village Retirement Community 3011 Hayden Rd., Columbus; 614-889-6202; 85 IL/AL DANBURY SENIOR LIVING danburyseniorliving.com Danbury Senior Living of Columbus 2870 Snouffer Rd., Columbus; 614-339-0459; 68 IL/AL, 33 MC Danbury Westerville - Parkside Village 730 N. Spring Rd., Westerville; 614-794-9300; 158 IL/AL, 46 MC
Grove City Senior Living by Traditions 3615 Glacial Ln., Grove City; 614-506-6501; 94 IL/AL/MC, plus 30 IL villas - villas are currently under construction, set to be finished in November Harrison on 5th 579 West Fifth Ave., Columbus; 380215-1412; unknown number of units Feridean Commons 6885 Freeman Rd., Westerville; 614-898-7488; feridean.com; 40 IL, 58 AL FIVE STAR SENIOR LIVING fivestarseniorliving.com The Forum at Knightsbridge 4590 Knightsbridge Blvd., Columbus; 614-451-6793; unknown number of units Friendship Village of Dublin 6000 Riverside Dr., Dublin; 614-764-1600; fvdublin.org; 300 IL, 29 AL, 27 MC, 50 SN The Gables of Westerville 131 Moss Rd., Westerville; 614-9180050; gablesofwesterville.com; 19 IL, 59 AL, 24 MC
You’ve never been the retiring type.
Why start now?
At Westerwood, feeling younger never gets old, starting with the biggest backyard in Columbus, our 23-acre wildlife refuge Friendship Woods. Other year-round opportunities to learn, laugh and grow can be summedup this way: You’re going to need a bigger bucket list. Together our welcoming residents and staff have created a truly inspiring place of kinship, caring and discovery. Scan the QR code to schedule a tour and learn more about our Life Care Community
Our Campus, Your Canvas 5800 Forest Hills Blvd. Columbus, OH 43231 LiveAtWesterwood.org
614-245-3931 CD
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THE GANZHORN SUITES ganzhorn.com The Ganzhorn Suites Specialized Memory Care 10272 Sawmill Pkwy., Powell; 614-356-9810; unknown number of units Life Care Services theavalonoflewiscenter.com The Avalon of Lewis Center 8875 Green Meadows Dr. N, Lewis Center; 740-513-2270; unknown number of units The Avalon of New Albany 245 E. Main St., New Albany; 740-513-3044; 59 AL, 44 MC HERITAGE SENIOR LIVING OF MARYSVILLE 1565 London Ave., Marysville; 937-738-7342; 59 AL, 17 MC HOMESTEAD SENIOR LIVING homestead-village.com Homestead Village Grove City 4990 Hoover Rd., Grove City; 614-653-1567; 130 IL Homestead Village Columbus 7300 E. Broad St., Blacklick; 833455-7587; unknown number of units Hoover Haus Assisted Living 3675 Hoover Rd., Grove City; 614-875-7600; hooverhaus.com; 5 IL, 22 AL, 5 MC Kemper House Worthington 800 Proprietors Rd., Worthington; 614-896-8700; kemperhouseworthington.com; 55 MC LAUREL HEALTH CARE COMPANY laurelhealth.com The Laurels of Gahanna 5151 N. Hamilton Rd., Columbus; 614-337-1066; 112 SN The Laurels of West Columbus 441 Norton Rd., Columbus; 614-8121200; unknown number of units The Laurels of Worthington 1030 High St., Worthington; 614-885-0408; 95 SN, 49 MC LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICES lssnetworkofhope.org LSS Kensington Place 1001 Parkview Blvd., Columbus; 614-251-7689; unknown number of units NATIONAL CHURCH RESIDENCES
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nationalchurchresidences.org Avondale 5215 Avery Rd., Dublin; 614-319-3353; 200 IL Brookwood Point 2685 E. Livingston Ave., Columbus; 866-569-6328 First Community Village 1800 Riverside Dr., Columbus; 877-364-2570; 211 IL, 38 AL, 36 MC, 47 SN Harmony Trace 3550 Fishinger Blvd., Hilliard; 888-211-3477; 25 AL, 57 MC The Hartford 120 E. Stafford Ave., Worthington; 888-205-8740; 85 IL Inniswood Village 1195 North St., Westerville; 844-841-5770; 120 IL, 52 AL, 20 MC Lincoln Village 4959 Medfield Way, Columbus; 614-870-1123; 54 AL Stygler Commons 165 N. Stygler Dr., Gahanna; 614-342-4588; 32 AL Walnut Trace 389 Olde Ridenour Rd., Gahanna; 844-211-1329; 93 IL OHIO LIVING ohioliving.org Ohio Living Sarah Moore 26 N. Union St., Delaware; 740-362-9641; 39 AL, 47 SN Ohio Living Westminster-Thurber 717 Neil Ave., Columbus; 614-2288888; 198 IL, 30 AL, 20 MC, 128 SN OPTALIS HEALTHCARE optalishealthcare.com Canal Winchester Rehabilitation Center, Skilled Nursing & Assisted Living 6800 Gender Rd., Canal Winchester; 614-834-6800; 35 AL, 87 SN Mill Run Rehabilitation Center, Skilled Nursing & Assisted Living 3399 Mill Run Dr., Hilliard; 614-527-3000; 36 AL, 66 SN Monterey Rehabilitation Center, Skilled Nursing & Memory Care 3929 Hoover Rd., Grove City; 614-875-7700; 117 beds New Albany Rehabilitation Center, Skilled Nursing & Assisted Living 5691 Thompson Rd., Columbus; 614-855-8866; 36 AL, 67 SN West Park Rehabilitation Center, Skilled Nursing & Memory Care 1700 Heinzerling Dr., Columbus;
614-274-4222; 28 MC, 71 SN Whetstone Rehabilitation Center Skilled Nursing & Assisted Living 3710 Olentangy River Rd., Columbus; 614-457-1100; 60 AL, 145 SN RITTENHOUSE VILLAGE BY DISCOVERY SENIOR LIVING rittenhousevillages.com Rittenhouse Village Gahanna 1201 Riva Ridge Court, Gahanna; 614-683-0199; 117 IL SENIOR STAR seniorstar.com Dublin Retirement Village 6470 Post Rd., Dublin; 614-764-2800; 134 IL, 60 AL, 39 MC SINCERI SENIOR LIVING sinceriseniorliving.com Amber Park Pickerington 401 Hill Rd. N, Pickerington; 614-834-3113; 86 AL STORYPOINT storypoint.com StoryPoint Gahanna 5435 Morse Rd., Gahanna; 614-924-8144; 83 IL, 60 AL, 39 MC StoryPoint Grove City 3717 Orders Rd., Grove City; 614875-6200; 116 IL, 35 AL, 44 MC StoryPoint Pickerington 611 Windmiller Dr., Pickerington; 614-953-5421; 96 IL StoryPoint Powell 10351 Sawmill Pkwy., Powell; 614-363-6631; 90 IL SUNRISE SENIOR LIVING sunriseseniorliving.com Sunrise of Dublin 4175 Stoneridge Ln., Dublin; 614-718-2062; 52 AL, 28 MC Sunrise of Gahanna 775 E. Johnstown Rd., Gahanna; 614-418-9775; 23 AL, 27 MC TRADITIONS MANAGEMENT traditionsmgmt.net The Bristol 7780 Olentangy River Rd., Columbus; 614-886-2818; 55 IL, 54 AL Cherry Blossom Senior Living 79 Blossom Field Blvd., Columbus; 614-530-7726; 28 IL, 66 AL, 30 MC Middleton Senior Living 1500 Weaver Dr., Granville; 740-587-0059; 28 IL, 85 AL, 35 MC
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At Continental Senior Communities, we believe in offering a lifestyle that fosters growth, connection, and joy. Our thoughtfully designed communities, resort-style amenities, holistic wellness programs, and personalized services create an environment where residents truly thrive. From independent living and assisted living to specialized memory care, our continuum of care supports every stage of life.
7780 Olentangy River Rd Columbus, OH 43235
79 Blossom Field Blvd Columbus, OH 43213
1500 Weaver Dr Granville, OH 43023
3240 Tremont Road Columbus, OH 43221
10272 Sawmill Parkway Powell, Ohio 43065
6355 Emerald Parkway Dublin, OH 43016
614.886.2818
614.967.9697
614.530.7726
614.356.9810
740.587.0059
614.761.9200
VISIT THE WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION
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UNITED CHURCH HOMES unitedchurchhomes.org Columbus Colony for Elderly Care 1150 Colony Dr., Westerville; 614- 891-5055; 110 AL
ASSISTED LIVING | INDEPENDENT LIVING | MEMORY CARE
Live close and live well! Next door to St. Paul The Apostle in Westerville
Rest easy and enjoy all The Gables of Westerville has to offer from all-day restaurant-style dining, personalized care, transportation services and much more. We work hard to make sure our residents live well and thrive in our beautiful senior living community. Please call (614)918-0050 for your private tour. We are located at: 131 Moss Rd., Westerville, Ohio 43082
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WALLICK COMMUNITIES wallickcommunities.com The Ashford on Broad 4801 E. Broad St., Columbus; 614-641-2995; 131 AL The Ashford of Grove City 3197 Southwest Blvd., Grove City; 614-957-3918; 100 AL, 50 MC The Ashford at Sturbridge 3700 Sturbridge Court, Hilliard; 614-633-4811; 61 IL, 62 AL The Grove at Oakleaf Village 5546 Karl Rd., Columbus; 614-431-1739; 56 MC Oakleaf Village of Columbus 5500 Karl Rd., Columbus; 614-431-1739; 121 IL/AL LIFE ENRICHING COMMUNITIES thewesleycommunities.com Wesley Glen Retirement 5155 N. High St., Columbus; 614-888-7492; 152 IL, 74 AL, 21 MC, 65 SN Wesley Ridge Retirement 2225 Taylor Park Dr., Reynoldsburg; 614-759-0023; 106 IL, 61 AL, 38 MC, 25 SN Wesley Woods at New Albany 4588 Wesley Woods Blvd., New Albany; 614-656-4100; 72 IL, 15 AL, 20 MC, 16 SN Westerwood 5800 Forest Hills Blvd., Columbus; 614-890-8282; liveatwesterwood.org; 193 IL, 66 AL, 14 MC, 75 SN WEXNER HERITAGE VILLAGE whv.org Creekside at the Village 2200 Welcome Place, Columbus; 614-384-2271; 83 IL/AL Geraldine Schottenstein Cottage 1149 College Ave., Columbus; 614-384-2271; 18 AL/MC Wexner Heritage House 1151 College Ave., Columbus; 614-231-4900; 99 SN WORTHINGTON CHRISTIAN VILLAGE 65 Highbluffs Blvd., Columbus; 614-846-6076; wcv.org; 107 IL, 38 AL, 42 SN
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