Hoosier Village is a full-scope senior living community that provides the full continuum of care, including independent living, assisted living, memory care, long-term care and rehabilitation. They offer a diverse array of fun activities and outings that enrich residents’ lives emotionally, intellectually, spiritually, physically and socially.
BHI Senior Living, Hoosier Village’s parent company, came about in 1904. Since then they have worked to create an ideal home for older adults to age in place and live the kind of lifestyles they deserve. Mindful about offering life enrichment programs at all levels, BHI polled their social directors and asked for resident feedback, providing opinions and suggestions for tweaking offerings that cater not only to current residents, but also future seniors coming in.
“This is important as we know it’s going to continue to change,” says Megan Ulrich, vice president of marketing and public relations for BHI Senior Living.
These days many residents are interested in sustainability and environmentally friendly products and services. Therefore, they’ve got community gardens and recycling programs across their campuses.
“Our residents have worked hard and this is their retirement,” Ulrich says. “We’re here to make sure it’s the retirement they’ve always dreamed of.”
Seniors report that they don’t want the stereotypical retirement community from yesteryear. Though they may be downsizing, they still want to host holidays and entertain grandchildren. They want intergenerational activities right on campus.
“We make it easy so that residents don’t have to worry about mowing the yard or shoveling snow while hosting activities,” says Mindy Kantz, executive director of Hoosier Village.
The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that the 85-and-over population is going to double from 6.7 million in 2020 to 14.4 million in 2040. As such, senior care providers need to be ready to accommodate this growth.
Hoosier Village, which has a landscaped 300-acre campus including three dog parks and lots of walking paths, is expanding the property by building three-story townhomes on the south side of campus, which will be available in early 2025. These three-bedroom, two-bath homes each include an elevator, and all have full access to everything Hoosier Village has to offer.
Hoosier Village also has a food service partner that provides multiple dining venues on campus to ensure that residents’ culinary needs are met.
“As we expand our brand and image, particularly here at Hoosier Village, our flagship community, we’re looking at how to be here for the senior of the future,” says Kantz, who notes that 61% of seniors today are interested in more amenities as well as a “community feel” where they reside. “They’re coming to independent living because they want to be a part of something. They also want a worry-free lifestyle that includes meals, transportation, social opportunities and philanthropic opportunities.”
This is precisely what Hoosier Village resident Carolyn and her husband longed for in retirement living.
“We were looking for a place with a sense of community and a place where we would find all the levels of support and care we might need in the coming years,” she says. “Once we saw all that Hoosier Village had to offer, we knew our search was over.”
Carolyn’s fellow resident, Suzanne, concurs. Although her husband, Frank, was initially skeptical of the continuing-care retirement concept, after touring Hoosier Village he was sold, calling it “the gold standard.”
When residents move onto the Hoosier Village campus, which consists of four neighborhoods, they can be as involved as they want to be in activities, sports and clubs.
“Once you’re here, you can stay within the Hoosier Village community and, as your needs progress, move to the next level of care,” Kantz says.
They offer different home sizes depending on a resident’s lifestyle and needs.
“Someone may want an extra bedroom while someone else may want a basement or an open-concept floor plan,” says Kantz.
While the median age for a person to move in is 83, they have people in their 60s as well as those over 100, and a range in between.
“In our Frankfort community, a resident turned 112 last month,” Ulrich says. “Yet, we also have people here who are still working. There really is a wide range.”
One of the factors that makes the community so special is the residents, who look out for one another in many ways. For instance, there’s a welcome committee run by the residents who go above and beyond to ensure new residents feel welcome and informed.
With roughly 700 residents on campus, Kantz compares it to a small college.
“You find what’s important to you and get plugged in,” Kantz says.
For some, that might be golfing. For others, a daily swim in the indoor pool or a walk on the trails. There are also teaching kitchens, cookouts, book clubs, pickleball tournaments, as well as movies and concerts in the park. This past fall, 12 daring residents went skydiving. Truly, the sky’s the limit!
Keeping seniors active can improve happiness, longevity and general wellness. Although a brand-new resident may feel nervous, once they settle in and meet people, they thrive.
“We’ve seen so many times when someone comes here depressed because their spouse just passed or they’ve been lonely in their house,” Kantz says. “They get here with all these opportunities and next thing you know they’re blossoming.”
Such is the case for a Hoosier Village family member, the mother of a woman named Caron. “She’s healthier and happier than she’s been in many years,” Caron says. “This is the most beautiful place for my mom to be.”
Residents often lament that they didn’t move in sooner. Anna Wellman, marketing coordinator for Hoosier Village, notes that it’s never too early to start doing your research on retirement communities. “We encourage folks to tour the community to see if it’s the right fit for you,” Wellman says.
If you know this is where you’d like to be down the road, it’s smart to get on the waitlist. Once you do, you’ll receive community updates and invites to special events in order to begin building relationships.
“Let us know your needs,” Wellman says. “We value the opportunity to connect with our prospects and understand their needs. Finding the perfect home is not just about the property itself, but matching it with their desires and lifestyle.”
