Baby boomers all over the United States are downsizing in record numbers as they near retirement. While some simply move to condominiums or live-work spaces in their city’s downtown areas, many opt for resort-style living in communities with amenities ranging from on-site spas and happy hours to gourmet dining and saltwater pools. Throughout Louisiana, senior living options include luxurious, high-end independent living for people who want to downsize their living space, but not their lifestyle.
Lambeth House
150 Broadway St., New Orleans
lambethhouse.com
Nestled along the Mississippi River in Uptown New Orleans, Lambeth House’s 118 independent living residences offer views of the river and a beautiful setting just a short walk from Audubon Park.
But the location isn’t all Lambeth House has going for it. Active seniors can take advantage of the 21,000-square-foot wellness center, featuring an indoor aquatic center, group exercise classes and personalized fitness evaluations and plans. There are also yoga and balance classes.
In a food-obsessed city like New Orleans, it’s only appropriate that residents have top notch food options. Lambeth House offers both restaurant and casual dining. The restaurant menu includes filet mignon, trout meuniere and redfish almondine, among other quality dishes. Cocktail enthusiasts will appreciate the happy hour. Lambeth House also offers community outings to local dining hotspots like Salon, Luke and Galatoire’s.
Other field trip options are also available, including afternoons at the movies, the Aquarium of the Americas and concerts. Residents are in a safe, active seniors community while still being a part of the city they love.
The Oaks of Louisiana
600 East Flournoy Lucas Rd., Shreveport
oaksofla.comShreveport-Bossier City’s active retirees need look no further than The Oaks Of Louisiana in Shreveport. It’s impossible to be bored at this facility’s wooded campus, which has outdoor walking trails and lakes with catch-and-release fishing. For the athletically inclined, there is beanbag baseball, croquet and golf.
There are assisted living options at The Oaks, but independent-minded seniors should try the Tower at the Oaks, which features an on-site concierge, a theater featuring current and classic movies, an art studio and a pub. Just like any good resort, there are multiple dining options available, all prepared by the in-house chefs.
When residents feel like being pampered, they can go to the Spa & Wellness Center. There is a heated indoor saltwater pool, exercise studio, exercise experts who specialize in older adults, a massage suite and a salon offering hair styling, manicures, and pedicures. For those wondering why the pool is saltwater, it’s because it eliminates irritation to the eyes and skin that occurs in traditional pools. The pool also has adjustable jets for an in-pool water massage.
Whealdon Estates
8680 Jefferson Highway, Baton Rouge
holidaytouch.com/our-communities/whealdon-estates
Baton Rouge’s Whealdon Estates takes pride in keeping its residents a part of the Greater Baton Rouge community. The home’s Seniors Serving Society program allows residents to participate in a variety of charitable endeavors, including teaching children to read, fundraising to help animals in need and supporting veterans and troops overseas.
Residents are also encouraged to showcase their creative sides in a number of ways. “Bedtime Stories: Original Tales Shared from One Generation to the Next,” is a series of children’s stories written and illustrated by residents.
Social events are a staple of the Whealdon lifestyle, too, as the community offers weekly gatherings for Wii Sports, trivia contests and happy hours. Classes are available on a wide range of topics, including yoga, flower arranging and Toastmasters.
Fewer things bring people more joy than four-legged friends and Whealdon encourages residents to bring their canine and feline friends. Whealdon also hosts pet health tips to enable its residents to better care for their best friends.
Regular excursions are also a part of life at Whealdon, as residents are treated to trips to locations ranging from the Nottoway Plantation Home, the Greater Baton Rouge Zoo and the Mississippi beaches.
St. James Place
333 Lee Dr., stjamesplace.org
Located on 52 acres of Baton Rouge land formerly known as the Duplantier Plantation, St. James Place opened in 1983. It was the brainchild of parishioners of St. James Episcopal Church who sought to create a retirement community for active seniors in the Gulf South.
Residents who want to keep their minds active have the opportunity to enroll in non-credit classes at The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at LSU. The courses cover diverse subjects ranging from calligraphy to drawing, Facebook to Zumba, literature to film studies and Tai Chi.
Physically active seniors can enjoy a gym, a heated indoor swimming pool, exercise equipment for diverse ability levels, shuffleboard, ping pong, billiards, walking trails and a putting green. Haircuts and styling, massages, facials, manicures and pedicures are available at the salon and spa.
For dining and socializing, there is a buffet-style restaurant, a fine dining restaurant, a coffee shop and a pub with cocktails and board games. There are also field trips to Baton Rouge restaurants, including the popular Five Guys Burgers and Fries.
The Landing at Behrman Place
601 Behrman Place
sunshineretirementliving.com/community-locations/new-orleans
Located on the Westbank of New Orleans, the Landing at Behrman Place provides high-quality amenities in a luxurious setting minutes from shopping and dining options.
Weekly activities include beanbag baseball, aerobics, bingo, poker, choir practice and Catholic Mass. One of the most popular is a Wheel of Fortune game. No, it doesn’t mean the residents sit around a TV and watch the game show; they play their own version with prizes.
Since the Landing at Behrman Place is part of the Sunrise Retirement Living community, it offers its residents the chance to travel to other Sunrise facilities in cities like Austin, Texas; Hot Springs, Arkansas and Chula Vista, California. Residents can stay up to seven nights in any of these locations and receive the same room, board and transportation services they get at home.
And like any good retirement community, there are ample on-site amenities in the form of three chef-prepared meals a day, free Wi-Fi, a hair salon, library, gym and a computer center. Cats and dogs are welcome for all residents
Helping Hands
When the time comes for a more hands-on care, several communities throughout Louisiana offer robust amenities, activities and assistance.
The Claiborne at Thibodaux
(theclaiborne.com/communities/thibodaux)
Located on the banks of Bayou Lafourche, The Claiborne at Thibodaux (2495 Talbot Ave.) offers independent and assisted living options with meals, activities and excursions to shopping, entertainment and outdoor recreation opportunities in Cajun country. Both Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center are nearby.
Vista Shores
(vistashores.com)
Located on the former site of the Vista Shores Country Club overlooking Bayou St. John, Vista Shores (5958 St. Bernard Ave.) offers residents 24-hour care, personalized fitness and wellness programs, transportation and restaurant-style dining. The third floor is devoted entirely to memory care patients.
Southside Gardens (southsidegardens.com)
Providing both independent and assisted living options, Baton Rouge’s Southside Gardens (4604 Perkins Rd.) has activities and exercises for residents, as well as twice-weekly transportation to medical and dental appointments. Each apartment has an emergency intercom.
