When older adults seek a retirement community, they’re often looking for a place that satisfies more than just their care needs. They may also want to live among people with similar interests and values, to explore their passions and experience meaning and purpose. The senior living industry has responded to this demand with niche retirement communities, which target specific hobbies, lifestyles, and philosophies – including faith-based senior communities.
Because 69% of seniors say that religion is an important part of their life, faith has become a popular niche. In fact, as of 2024, approximately 56 of the 200 largest continuing care communities in the U.S. were focused on faith.
The impact of spirituality
“Our purpose, as clergy working at faith-based communities, is to primarily create an atmosphere of belonging and to provide holistic support by nurturing spiritual well-being, fostering deep social connections, and offering a continued sense of purpose,” said Rabbi Karen Landy of Hebrew SeniorLife, which operates seven communities in the Boston area.
Not only can living at a faith-based community make you feel connected and supported and give your life purpose, but it may also help you live longer. Public health research found that a regular spiritual practice may lower your stress level and improve your physical health, which could lead to an extra four to 14 years of life. Consistent spiritual and contemplative practices can also slow cognitive decline and reduce your risk of dementia.
Freedom of choice
Living at these communities makes it easy for you to practice your faith. At many communities with a religious foundation and focus, you won’t have to leave the campus to meet with clergy or attend worship services and classes. The communities may also honor spiritual traditions and offer programming relevant to the religions upon which they were founded. The kitchen may also follow dietary restrictions for religious holidays.
However, if you’re not of that particular faith (or have no religious affiliation at all), most of these communities still welcome you in. Plus, you won’t be required to participate in services or programming unless you want to.
When one senior was considering a retirement community founded by the evangelical Christian and Missionary Alliance, she was concerned that their beliefs might conflict with her own. A friend who already lived at the community assured her that neither the administration nor the residents would push their religion on her. Now that she lives at that community, the woman reported that gatherings typically start with a blessing and maybe even end with one; however, beyond that, no one is preachy or pushy about their beliefs. Everyone is free to practice their spirituality the way they choose.
“They don’t want to limit the population that moves in, so they have to walk this line,” explained Eloise Tweeten, a professional who matches families with retirement communities in the San Francisco Bay Area, adding, “To sustain growth, they’re focusing not so much on religion as philosophy.”
HumanGood, a nonprofit that runs 19 faith-based continuing care retirement communities across the country, was founded in the 1950s by Baptists and Presbyterians. Today, the communities have now evolved beyond the original focus. For example, Rydal Park in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania, has a majority of Jewish residents. A rabbi comes to the community for Shabbat on Fridays, and on Sundays, a priest performs Mass for the Catholic residents. A HumanGood community in California even held a Wiccan service at the request of one of their residents. Plus, there are atheist and agnostic residents at all HumanGood communities.
“If spirituality for you is a nature walk, we’ll walk alongside you,” said Sharell Shippen, director of spirituality for HumanGood.
Can you afford faith-based senior communities?
Some faith-based communities acquire their land from a religious foundation; however, very few are funded by that church. For that reason, faith-based senior living communities tend to be comparable in cost to other senior living facilities.
On the other hand, many of these communities are nonprofits; therefore, they may have a Life Care or Benevolent Fund to cover fees if you outlive your savings. This critical safety net can provide you with security as you get older.
Find the community that’s right for you
Start your search by asking your pastor, rabbi, or other religious leader or your friends or other members of your local community for recommendations of faith-based communities in your area. Make sure that the communities you are considering have the amenities and care that you are looking for as well as the spiritual offerings that are important to you, such as on-site clergy, regular services, study groups, etc. If you do not practice a religion, it’s just as important to make sure that you will not be pressured to attend religious programming and will feel comfortable there.
The best way to gain an accurate picture of the lifestyle of a community and its residents and staff is by spending time there. Book a tour and then ask if you can wander the halls and talk with people. A clever way that one senior gained a sense of views espoused by those at a community he was considering was to check out the bumper stickers in the parking lot!
Moving to a retirement community can be a difficult transition. When you first take that step, you may be sad about leaving a home where you’ve lived for years and have difficulty making new friends, trying out new activities, and acclimating to new routines. But being surrounded by your faith and others with whom you can relate can provide a sense of belonging and support, which can help you adjust, learn new things, and, ultimately, thrive in your new home.
