The Study Is Out: Here’s Why Life Plan Community Residents Are Happier Than Most People 55+

There’s no one-size-fits-all for aging well, but a longitudinal study conducted by Mather Institute suggests there is a way to boost the likelihood that you’ll age happily. The study findings indicate that residents of Life Plan Communities (sometimes called Continuing Care Retirement Communities or CCRCs) tend to enjoy high levels of happiness and life satisfaction, in addition to having greater overall wellness than their counterparts in the community at large.

What Is the Age Well Study?

In this landmark five-year study conducted by Mather Institute and Northwestern University, residents of Life Plan Communities across the country have been surveyed yearly to assess the impact of living in a Life Plan Community. In the first survey, Life Plan Community residents’ overall well-being was compared to that of demographically similar residents in the community at large. The Year 2 survey examined more closely Life Plan Community residents’ health and wellness.

With the Year 3 survey, residents of Life Plan Communities were asked to assess their emotional wellness, in particular their happiness and life satisfaction. Happiness was defined as a state of well-being. Life satisfaction reflects the extent to which life has met their expectations. The results of the survey suggest that Life Plan Community residents enjoy a higher-than-average sense of happiness and life satisfaction.

Happiness Matters

Happiness and life satisfaction are more than good feelings. They’re linked to better physical and mental health, more positive social interactions, greater creativity, a willingness to try new things, and the ability to develop the skills, resources and relationships that support resilience.

And according to the survey findings, happiness and life satisfaction levels are high in Life Plan Communities. Residents were asked to rate their happiness on a scale from 1 to 7. The average level of happiness for all respondents was 5.8. The top 25% had an average happiness rating of 6.9, while the bottom 25% – the least happy residents surveyed – had an average happiness rating well above the midpoint at 4.6. Life satisfaction scores were similar, with the most satisfied people averaging a 7.0 rating and the least satisfied respondents averaging a 4.5 rating on a scale from 1 to 7.

These high happiness and life satisfaction ratings may be because many of the factors that support well-being are present in a Life Plan Community. No wonder 92% of the Life Plan Community respondents were highly satisfied with where they live.

Factors That Boost Happiness for Life Plan Community Residents

Higher perceived control.

The survey defines perceived control as “the degree to which an individual believes they have control over their activities and their lives.” Residents of a Life Plan Community are completely self-directed when it comes to choosing how they spend their days, with an array of on-campus opportunities that make it easy to be as active and engaged as they want to be.

Optimism.

The Year 1 survey found that residents of a Life Plan Community had higher levels of optimism — defined as positive expectations for the future — than older adults in the community at large. The Year 3 results link optimism to higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction. Perhaps Life Plan Community residents have a bright outlook because they know that, should the need arise, they have access to higher levels of care at a predictable cost.

Purpose in life.

Being goal-directed and feeling that life is meaningful – i.e., having purpose in life – is more prevalent among Life Plan Community residents than their peers in the community at large. With an abundance of options for lifelong learning, cultural activities and artistic pursuits, Life Plan Community residents enjoy many meaningful ways to engage purposefully in life. This may explain why 85% of Life Plan Community residents were highly satisfied with their daily life and leisure.

Social cohesion and community belonging.

Life Plan Community residents report a high degree of closeness among community members and a feeling of belonging, both of which can be important for the prevention of loneliness, a significant health risk for older adults. Whether meeting friends for a meal at one of the dining venues, making new connections in art class, or developing a friendly rivalry on the putting green, Life Plan Community residents have ample opportunities for social engagement.

Physical activity.

Being physically active offers an array of health benefits, in addition to being associated with higher levels of happiness. In most Life Plan Communities, there are fitness classes, walking trails, pickleball courts and a fitness center conveniently located on campus, making it easy to participate in the physical activities that support health and happiness.

Healthy diet.

Residents who reported healthier diets also reported greater happiness and life satisfaction. With a variety of dining venues to choose from, Life Plan Community residents have a smorgasbord of delicious and wholesome meal options.

Find Your Happy Place at FellowshipLIFE

If a Life Plan Community sounds like a satisfying option for retirement living, consider looking into FellowshipLIFE’s senior living communities across New Jersey. Contact us to learn more about what makes us a happy choice for senior living.