For many seniors, moving into a senior retirement community can have a negative connotation. Some believe that when they move to senior living, they’ll lose their independence and settle into a slower lifestyle. They tell themselves: "I’ll go when I’m older," or "I’ll move when I can no longer take care of the house."
For Village On The Isle (VOTI) residents Randy and Jeanne Snyder, those fears couldn’t be further from their life they are living at Village On The Isle in Venice, Florida.
Since moving to VOTI in November 2024, the Snyders have found peace of mind, vibrant social connections, and a lifestyle that allows them to do exactly what they want. They’re graciously sharing their story with us in this blog.
Planning for the Future for a Family of Two
As a family of two, the Snyders always knew they would be responsible for making their own care decisions as they looked to the future. Their experience with their own aging parents made these decisions even more pertinent.
“We decided early on that we wanted to do something proactive to deal with the challenges of aging,” said Jeanne. “We wanted to be in a position that we could make a move by ourselves and have the appropriate care when we needed it.”
Luckily, their parents’ experience introduced them to the concept of Life Care, a unique offering by a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) that provides increased levels of care as you age. Jeanne’s mother lived in a Life Plan community in Pennsylvania for 20 years, and Randy’s father, Harold, had lived at Village On The Isle in Venice.
“Knowing my father’s experience and knowing that a Life Plan community is what we were interested in, VOTI was the first and only community we looked at,” said Randy.“My father really blossomed during his time at VOTI and was at the pinnacle of enjoying life. The community made that possible for him.”
They put a deposit down at VOTI in 2023 knowing they wanted a two-bedroom apartment, just not yet. Then, in 2024 they toured an available apartment and knew it was the one. They moved in on November 1, 2024.
Gaining Independence, Not Losing It
One of the biggest hesitations seniors have in moving to a senior retirement community is the fear of losing their independence. Since moving to Village On The Isle in Venice, the Snyders have found the opposite to be true. Moving to VOTI has eliminated the burdens of homeownership, leaving them with more time to enjoy life.
“We travel quite a bit,” said Jeanne. “So having our apartment at VOTI is no different than a two-bedroom suite at the Home2 Suites. We can do what we want, and we know the housekeeper will be by and if a light bulb goes out someone else will replace it.”
With less time spent on home maintenance, the Snyders now have time to enjoy new hobbies and a rich social life.
“As far as lifestyle goes, I didn’t think my lifestyle would change much,” said Jeanne. “What VOTI has given me is the opportunity to experience things I’ve never done before.”
For instance, Randy attended an origami class, something he might otherwise never have tried. The couple also plays trivia with their neighbors once a week and enjoys socializing in their building’s shared spaces.
“Life at VOTI has expanded my lifestyle,” said Randy. “For people saying retirement living will bring them down, it’s simply not true.”
The Surprise of Community Connection
While the Snyders expected to make friends, they were surprised by the depth and positivity of their neighbors.
“I’m continually amazed at the life stories of the people we meet here,” said Jeanne. “The folks who live here have great pasts, but they don’t dwell on their pasts. They’re living for today and seem to be truly happy.”
A positive attitude has also helped the Snyders to fully embrace all that life has to offer at VOTI.
“Retirement living is what you make of it,” adds Randy. “We came in with a good attitude on day one and have been happy here since day one.”
A Seamless Transition to "Home"
For seniors worried about the logistics of moving into a senior retirement community, the Snyders share that the VOTI staff couldn’t have made the process any easier. The VOTI team connected them with movers and organizers and helped them downsize, sell their belongings, and fit their life into the new floorplan.
“They take care of everything,” said Jeanne. “We were able to take the space and make it what we wanted and now we’re living easier in this unit than anywhere we’ve ever lived before. We’re thrilled.”
If you’re a senior looking to enjoy retirement living, we invite you to explore the exceptional lifestyle offered at Village On The Isle in Venice, Florida. Village On The Isle offers a unique lifestyle where you can enjoy the beauty of the Florida Gulf Coast without the hassle of home maintenance.
Our residents have rich social lives and participate in a full calendar of events that include a mix of social, cultural, spiritual, educational, and service-oriented recreation. For more information about our amenity-rich community, schedule a visit by calling (941)202-4451.