Retirement communities also boast packed schedules

Active adults and activities to keep them healthy and engaged are also found at area retirement communities, like The Garlands in Barrington and Luther Village in Arlington Heights.

Both of these retirement communities feature continuing care and access to nursing facilities. As residents age, activities become even more important for residents, administrators say.

"Activities are vital," said Kathy Grabowski, activities director for Luther Village. "They help people mentally maintain contact with the community and the world at large."

Bonnie Smith and her husband, Don, consolidated their houses in Wisconsin and Florida in 2005 and moved to The Garlands.

After living the life of snowbirds for many years, they were ready to stop their twice-yearly treks. Besides, Don's health was deteriorating, so Bonnie knew she needed the help of their sons and grandchildren, who live in the area.

Three and half years later, Bonnie said she still considers this a wise move.

"The Garlands is marvelous and all I can say is that people should make this kind of move while they are still able to enjoy everything that is offered to the residents," she said.

The staff tries to please as many people as possible with its fitness program and regular things like bridge, concerts, art classes, art exhibits by talented residents, lectures, movies, trips and even college classes, Smith said.

Although it was difficult for her to choose, Smith admitted her personal favorite activities are the art classes, but she also loves her American Short Stories class that is taught at The Garlands by a Harper College professor.

"I know that I would never take advantage of things like this if they weren't offered right here," she said. "The range of activities offered really encourages residents to continue to expand their horizons instead of drawing inward."

The many activities bring a supportive, community feeling to The Garlands, Smith added.

"I didn't know anyone when I got here, and participating in the activities was a great way to make friends."

About 280 people, ranging from their mid-60s to mid-90s, make their home at the Barrington community. Jill Lund is responsible for the diverse activities program there.

"We tailor all of our activities around the six areas of wellness: emotional, intellectual, physical, vocational, social and spiritual," she said. "We take a holistic approach, offering a great variety of programs to encourage our residents to have a healthy, balanced lifestyle and a purposeful life."

For instance, the community has partnered with Harper College to host the institution's Lifelong Learning Center at The Garlands. Residents, as well as members of the general public of all ages, may take the classes offered there.

Less scholarly classes like cooking demonstrations, art classes, craft classes, tai chi, yoga and wellness seminars are also offered on The Garlands campus on a regular basis.

There is also a full schedule of fitness classes for all ability levels and there is a plethora of clubs for bridge, poker, Scrabble, pinochle, billiards, dramatic reading and even Wii bowling.

In fact, teams from The Garlands compete against teams from other area communities in events like billiards and Wii bowling. And the dramatic reading group puts on two or three shows a year to which they invite other residents and family members. Those productions draw in even more residents to run the sound and lights and even generate the publicity.

In addition to all of these on-campus activities, day trips to the theater, Millennium Park, the Japanese garden in Rockford, the Chicago Botanic Garden, Crabtree Nature Center and many other places are offered on a regular basis.

"Activities serve to build relationships and a sense of community and things like Wii bowling helps the residents bridge the generation gap with their grandchildren," Lund said.

Grabowski of Luther Village agrees.

"Our residents are people who have chosen to live with people with whom they have age and interests in common," she said. "But they still want to stay in contact with the larger community."

For instance, just like their children and grandchildren, residents of Luther Village are caught up in the current Baggo craze, playing as part of a club. Other groups play golf at area courses on a regular basis or work with tools in the fully stocked wood shop.

"We don't want anyone to stop doing what they did before they moved here," Grabowski said. "So we just try to gather a group of like minded people to enjoy those activities together."

Many are passionate about playing bridge. Others enjoy Mah-jongg. They also have an active group that enjoys quilting and a group of crafters that meets weekly to pursue their own crafts which they sell at an annual show and to make party favors for Luther Village's many theme parties.

The 60 raised-bed garden plots at Luther Village are also very popular, with residents hotly competing over who can grow the best flowers and vegetables.

"Most of our residents still drive so we don't offer a lot of lectures and seminars because they prefer to go to those things on their own," Grabowski explained.

But most Luther Village residents seem to enjoy the wide range of bus trips offered - one or two per week, on average.

"They go to baseball games, concerts, museums, the theater and much more," she said.

"Last summer they took a Segway tour of Chicago and that was a big hit. They also enjoyed going to the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee and having their pictures taken on the back of a Harley," Grabowski said. "And soon they will be going to a White Sox game where a retired Sox pitcher will be calling bingo throughout the game and they will also have a barbecue lunch in the outfield dining area."