By John Nicolette, P.T.

Connie and Michael Valentine always knew that they wanted the benefits of a life plan community.

The National Poll on Healthy Aging reports that 88% of older adults feel that it’s important to remain at home while they age, and the Valentines are no different. They live in a neighborhood they love, and they’ve worked hard for the place they call home.

When the Valentines began planning for their future, they had the goal of aging well, with a support system in place. They were exploring independent living communities, particularly Gulf Coast Village in Cape Coral, which offers the full scope of senior living from independent living to skilled nursing.

The Valentines were familiar with Gulf Coast Village for over 30 years, as Michael operated a nearby business, but they’d never lived in the community. They found themselves wishing there were a way for them to have the concept of independent living, but in their home. Little did they know, there was.

Finding the right program

Senior Choice at Home, a comprehensive, membership-based life plan at home program created in partnership with Gulf Coast Village, offers healthy, independent older adults a way to remain in their homes as they age. It provides members with the flexibility to live their lives freely, while knowing that they have access to care if they ever need it. It’s a safety net, which is crucial as you grow older. This program is a unique concept and Senior Choice at Home was the first of its kind in Florida.

“We want to be in our home together as long as we can,” said the Valentines. As they approach 60 years of marriage, togetherness is a valuable concept to the Valentines. The pair have been together since the 4th grade, when they met in Parkersburg, West Virginia. Age in place programs make this a possibility for many healthy, independent people – they’re able to stay in the homes they’ve worked so hard to create, while spending each day cultivating hobbies and enjoying their home with an amazing safety net in place.

When the couple first discovered Senior Choice at Home, they wanted to mull over the idea. Choosing to age in place is an investment, and not a decision to be made lightly. The Valentines attended a presentation about the program, where they learned more about the benefits of the program and its structure.

“A presenter at the meeting said, ‘It’s better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it,’” said the Valentines.

In January of 2023, the pair became members of the program and have been thriving in the home they love ever since.

In addition to having the freedom to be in your own home, Senior Choice at Home also offers the freedom to have an abundance of quality time with loved ones. Just recently, the Valentines hosted 23 family members for Thanksgiving in their home.

It also allows you to continue the things you love the most, like being a business owner. While Connie has retired from her career in real estate and mortgages, Michael still remains active in contracting with his son; aging in place has given him the freedom to continue to pursue his passion.

Endless trips and travels

The freedom to travel as much as you’d like is an immense benefit of aging in place. Being a member of a program like Senior Choice at Home also provides you with the reassurance that while you’re away from home, traveling the globe as so many of our members do, you still have someone on your side.

Traveling hosts a wealth of benefits for older adults, according to Senior Friendship Centers. In fact, even three days of vacation can drastically lower stress levels. It also keeps your body and mind moving, which is important to maintain with age. Planning and exploring keep your mind engaged, which provides mental stimulation that older adults need.

Senior Choice at Home members can spend up to 45 days out of town while being protected under their membership. The Valentines went the extra mile and invested in the policy that lets them travel as long as they want, while knowing that if anything happens while they spend the summer out of state, their care team back in Florida is ready to support them in any way necessary, like serving as their personal advocate and keeping their family updated in emergency situations.

The right decision

The Valentines always knew that aging independently was their plan, especially when considering their adult children. Respectful of the lives their children built for themselves, the couple did not want their adult children to have to spend their retirement caring for them. With a care team on their side if they ever need it, the family can spend their time together focused on just that – being together.

Making the best decision for your long-term plan takes time. The decision requires thoughtful planning, detailed conversations, and an understanding of your options. To those who may be considering joining an age-in-place program, the Valentines have a few words of wisdom:

“It definitely took us a little while to make up our minds, but when we did, it was like the end of a sentence,” said Connie. “There was a period there, and that was it. We don’t regret it.”

About the author

John Nicolette, P.T. is the director of Senior Choice at Home, a membership-based life plan at home program for healthy, independent seniors in Lee, Collier and Charlotte counties.