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If you or a loved one are considering different Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) options, a good criteria to emphasize in your search is a community that puts the “active” in “active senior living.” An abundance of research shows that the more physically, mentally, and socially active seniors are, the happier, healthier, and longer their lives tend to be. A CCRC with a lively community, crowded event calendar, fitness and wellness services, and opportunities for social engagement is the ideal kind of place—and it just so happens that Viamonte at Walnut Creek is exactly this kind of senior living community.

To learn why being active is so important for seniors, and how Viamonte prioritizes active senior living, read on!

Wellness of Body and Mind

As people age, it becomes more and more important—not less—for them to stay active and engaged in society.

On a physical level, routine exercise has been shown consistently to lessen the negative effects that aging has on the body, such as decreased bone and muscle mass, reduced joint flexibility, and increased risk of fractures or chronic illness. A George Washington University study found that seniors who are inactive and spend most of their time doing sedentary activities “drastically raises the risk of walking disability.” By engaging in moderate exercise and moving the body multiple times per week, seniors can feel better in their day-to-day lives, stay healthier, and be more independent. Exercise has also been shown to reduce rates of depression, anxiety, and stress.

Of course, physical activity is only a piece of the puzzle. Mental activity is equally as important, because just like the rest of the body, the brain can grow weaker as people age—but it can also be strengthened, simply by being used frequently. Activities such as crossword puzzles, reading, learning a language, and hobbies have been shown to help prevent memory loss and improve mental health.

Last but not least, social activity is key for seniors as well. By staying involved in a community, forming and maintaining friendships, and participating in social events, seniors can help prevent the feelings of loneliness that tend to affect those who don’tstay socially engaged.

Independence and Activity at CCRCs

One misconception that people may have about moving to a CCRC, or a life plan community, is that people think they’ll be lessactive and independent once they move to the senior living community. What these people tend to discover is that the exact opposite is the case—seniors usually become moreindependent and moreactive once they leave their previous homes and enter a senior living community.

The reasons for this make lots of sense, when you think about them: For one thing, many seniors who are living in their longtime homes are isolated and dependent—they likely don’t know as many people in their neighborhoods as they used to, their friends and family may be far away, and they’re less physically able to take care of household chores and maintenance than they used to be. Once they move to a senior living community such as Viamonte at Walnut Creek, these seniors soon realize how much the CCRC services make them more free to forget about home maintenance, to enjoy superior medical care whenever it’s needed, and above all, to interact with a like-minded group of individuals who are welcoming and excited to develop strong social bonds.

Additionally, because so many CCRCs provide wellness and fitness programs, healthy dining options, and lots of activities and events, seniors often tend to lead much healthier and more rewarding lives once they move into a retirement community.

Staying Active at Viamonte

Viamonte at Walnut Creek brings the idea of active senior living to a whole new level. One main cause of this is the sheer amount of top-class amenities that Viamonte’s residents get to enjoy on campus. These amenities promote an active lifestyle in all three facets that matter: physically, mentally, and socially.

From Viamonte’s outdoor fireside lounge to its gas-fired grill area and bocce court and more, there are plenty of open spaces to share with friends. The art studio and library stand as just a couple of the great areas for mental stimulation, while the pool, spa, and fitness and wellness centers are ideal for keeping bodies in healthy physical condition.

Beyond the on-campus activities at Viamonte, senior living at Walnut Creek comes with tremendous off-campus opportunities as well. Walnut Creek, California boasts restaurants, events, shopping, nearby attractions, and more. The opportunity to interact with the Walnut Creek community is one more way that Viamonte residents keep themselves active.

Want to learn more?

If the active lifestyle at Viamonte at Walnut Creek appeals to you, we’ll be thrilled to discuss your potential future in our community. To visit our Preview Center and model home, or to ask any questions you may have, give us a call at 925-621-6600 or email us at info@viamonteliving.org.

How Senior Living is Better at Viamonte

• Viamonte at Walnut Creek is a mission-driven community where everyone has a voice.
• Viamonte residents will live at the intersection of all their needs.
• Want to see what sets Viamonte apart from other CCRCs? Make an appointment at the Viamonte Preview Center to learn more.

Not all Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs) are created equal. Finding the perfect one for you is a lot like house shopping. You’ll want to see the floor plans, visit nearby retail and dining spots and talk to some locals to see what they think about the surrounding area.

Viamonte at Walnut Creek is unique in that it’s built not just with enriching amenities and modern residence features in mind, although it does have both of those. When building Viamonte at Walnut Creek, the foundation that everything will be built on is community. At the end of the day, that’s what makes a place, a home.

Viamonte at Walnut Creek will be a community in the truest sense, attracting an inclusive and vibrant population of friends and neighbors.

“I have had the distinct pleasure of meeting many of the residents who will be moving into the building and for me that is a wonderful thing to experience who will be the end user…the people who will thrive here for years to come,” says Viamonte Architect Tom Brutting. “In particular, they’ve told me their reason for coming to Viamonte is not only for the design and uniqueness of it, but the fact that they’ll create new friendships while they’re here and that’s a big part of what we’re hoping the design will be able to enforce.”

Here are some more reasons you should consider Viamonte at Walnut Creek as you explore CCRCs:

The Nonprofit Advantage

Viamonte at Walnut Creek is a new senior housing development by Sequoia Living (formerly Northern California Presbyterian Homes & Services), a San Francisco-based nonprofit dedicated to providing homes and services for healthy aging.

As a nonprofit, the organization reinvests its financial returns in ways that support its mission and enrich lives. When you choose Viamonte at Walnut Creek for your senior living experience, you can feel confident that there are no hidden fees or other stakeholders that take priority over residents, unlike some of the for-profit senior living organizations.

Viamonte isn’t a national chain––it’s an organization that is committed to maintaining an inclusive, supportive and responsive community where all residents are respected and heard. Sequoia Living also owns and operates three other well-established CCRCs and manages three affordable housing communities.

“There is a comfort in knowing that this is not the first senior community they have been involved with,” says Judy, a future resident of Viamonte.

You Can’t Build This Backdrop

When searching CCRCs, soon-to-be retirees seek senior living that sits in a footprint of exciting and enriching social and cultural opportunities. Viamonte at Walnut Creek offers a great location, which is something other CCRCs can’t duplicate. You can’t build this view.

Viamonte rests at the foothills of Mt. Diablo, which serves as a picturesque backdrop for everything you’ll be doing in the area. Even if you’re not an outdoor enthusiast, everyone can agree that it doesn’t get much better than spending your retirement set to a backdrop of a stunning mountain scene. It’s as serene as it gets.

Those scenic sites coupled with the rich downtown attractions of Walnut Creek make for unmatchable community amenities. Viamonte is located within reach of retail, dining and entertainment for every occasion. If you have your sights set on somewhere a little farther out, the Walnut Creek BART station is just 34 minutes from the Embarcadero by rail, so you’ll be connected to the airport or any other Bay Area destination spots.

The Continuing Care Concept

One of the most common things we hear from future residents is just how important it is that Viamonte at Walnut Creek will offer its residents the security of knowing that if they require a higher level of care in the future, that care can be provided within the comfort of their own apartment home or within the Walnut Creek community.

This concept of continuing care means that residents will be cared for if, when and where they need it––right at home. Viamonte’s three levels of continued care options for seniors (independent living, assisted living, and memory care) mean that residents can settle into their homes without having to relocate in the future. Compassionate caregivers can provide support within the comfort of their home, further adding to the senior living services available at Viamonte at Walnut Creek.

“We have both experienced what it is like to be caregivers for our parents, and we are very realistic about how hard it can be, the older you are, to move out of your home,” says Gloria, a future resident of Viamonte. “At Viamonte, we know, that should the need arise, we can get the help that we need right where we are.”

To learn more about the dynamic senior living experience of Viamonte at Walnut Creek, contact us today at 925-621-6600 to visit the Preview Center and model home before exploring everything that downtown Walnut Creek has to offer.