Leading edge luxury

By WP Creative Group

Offering upscale apartment home living and amenities tailored to every preference, modern “life plan communities” seek to fit the diverse lifestyle priorities of older adults.

When it comes to senior housing, plenty of stereotypes abound. Think bland cafeterias, sterile living quarters and activities limited to shuffleboard and bingo.

But there’s an approach to senior living that transcends all of those outdated notions, because adults approaching retirement age are no longer interested in slowing down. Called “Life Plan Communities,” these residences combine apartment home living and an abundance of amenities with the reassurance of on-site healthcare, should residents need it. It’s an ideal blend of features for today’s older adults, providing a sense of security for the future while they continue pursuing personal growth.

A new Life Plan Community called The Mather could be just what they’re looking for which brings Life Plan Communities to a luxury ultra-modern level. Opening in Tysons, Va., in 2024, the community will offer a stimulating alternative for adults age 62+. Created by Mather, an organization with over eight decades of experience, the new community is basing its amenities and resources on research into what people truly want from life as they age. 

“We’ve taken a lot of research on boomers and designed The Mather to fit that,” said Gale Morgan, senior vice president of sales for the organization.

Baby boomers want “maximum choice”

Life Plan Communities are becoming especially popular among baby boomers, the generation known for self-improvement and subverting norms. Instead of the staid retirement homes of their parents’ generation, those born between 1946 and 1964 want to be part of a vibrant community. And those years are just around the corner: By 2030, all baby boomers will reach age 65 or older. They make up an estimated 22 percent of residents in the Washington, D.C. metro area, where older Americans experienced the greatest population increase between 2010 and 2016.

Having witnessed their own parents’ experience of navigating their retirement and even living in different kinds of  retirement communities, baby boomers are “very clear on what they don’t want,” said Morgan. Whereas a decade ago, many older adults assumed that their children would take care of them as they aged, that notion has faded. 

“Today’s boomers don’t want to rely on their children to provide [their] care if needed, because their kids have their own lives and their kids are mobile,” Morgan said. “Boomers want to make their own choices.”

At The Mather, residents will be able to forge ahead on their chosen path or start anew, taking full advantage of the “boomer-centric” services and design aspects that are being woven into the community. Based on input from incoming residents and research from Mather Institute, The Mather will offer “maximum choice,” said Morgan. Along with multiple restaurants, the community will feature a fitness center, an indoor pool, a rooftop clubroom, and a spate of other amenities and wellness offerings ranging from meditation to sound bathing. Residents can also take up oil painting in the art studio, sign up for personal training, or audit classes at nearby George Mason University. 

And if they want to stay in and cook a gourmet meal at home, they can do so in a luxurious setting. Apartment homes at The Mather will have kitchens made for entertaining, complete with stainless steel Thermador appliances, gas cooktops, and Italian-made cabinetry with quartz countertops and breakfast bars. Each apartment home will also have smart home technology, so residents can turn off the lights, control the temperature and see who’s at the door from a tablet or smartphone.

Today’s discerning older adults are seeking the latest home looks and features in senior living. “We attribute some of the strong interest in our community to the undeniable style and modern features in our apartment homes,” says Morgan. “While our tagline ‘luxury of a different kind’ refers to lifestyle, it certainly applies to the stunning apartment homes being planned.”

Not only will the apartment homes at The Mather incorporate smart home technology, they will incorporate open floor plans, with spacious living areas that flow together, incorporating the outdoors with floor-to-ceiling windows and private balconies. With plans ranging up to 3,300 square feet, each home offers an abundance of stylish living space. Hardwood floors, floor-to-ceiling windows and motorized blinds are also standard features, and residents can make additional upgrades, whether they want a fireplace, heated bathroom floors or a vessel sink in the powder room. And residents have access to the amenities, services, and Life Care that comes with a move to The Mather. Currently, The Mather is accepting deposits on its apartments in both Phase One and Phase Two.

A focus on health and wellness, at every stage of life

With a full roster of health and wellness amenities, The Mather in Tysons, VA, is the perfect place for older adults to make well-being a priority. A whole-person wellness program will allow residents to embrace meditation, reiki, or eating for anti-inflammation, for instance.

“As part of our commitment to continued innovation, our Mather Institute has created an evolved approach to whole-being wellness…one that’s backed by research,” Morgan says. “We call it ContinuWell, and it will be our guiding philosophy for creating and encouraging individualized wellness at The Mather.”

There will also be a spa with a host of treatments to pamper the body, mind, and spirit, and a therapeutic salt room may be added. At least one of their restaurants will embrace a menu featuring Mediterranean cuisine, according to Morgan, and emphasize sustainable and organic sourcing with consideration for different dietary lifestyles, from paleo to gluten-free. Additionally, residents will have access to nature, including a three-acre public and private green space with walking paths, fire pits, event lawn, gardens, and more.

“Tysons is a walkable urban-style location with access to shopping, entertainment, and a Metro to downtown DC. We’re close to walking trails, Capital One Center – there’s just so much to do right outside our doors,” Morgan says. “Between our location and all that The Mather has to offer, every single person that moves there will be able to live the lifestyle that’s right for them.” 

Learn more about The Mather in Tysons, VA, at one of their upcoming events.

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