Considering a Life Plan Community? Try it on for Size and for Happiness

If you’re like everyone else considering moving to a Life Plan Community (also known as a Continuing Care Retirement Community, or CCRC), you probably plan to visit several places. But here’s a little-known secret to help on your hunt for the perfect retirement home—you can request an experience stay. That’s right. Most continuing care communities will host you in a guest residence for a complete overnight experience. Just like test driving a car before you buy, an overnight stay will give you a better feel for what it’s like to live there. If nothing else, you’ll know if you can sleep there.

At Carlyle Place, we offer an experience stay (or atria stay) to help future residents immerse themselves in our community. These one- or two-night “staycations” allow you to explore our amenities and get a feel for everyday life on our campus.

Here’s a practical guide on what to look for and experience during your stay:

Live large in a smaller home

Downsizing can be daunting, especially if you’re used to a larger living space. However, immersing yourself in a smaller, cozier residence for a night or two can be eye-opening. Retirement comes with a lot more freedom. Imagine having an entire community to experience, a campus to explore and a calendar filled with enriching activities, social events and opportunities to keep you busy. Opting for a smaller home within a Life Plan Community provides the personal space needed for relaxation and sleep without the added hassle of maintenance and upkeep.

Take George and Marianne Beck, for example. The couple moved from Beaufort, South Carolina, to Carlyle Place in 2023. But before making their big move, they had to go through the downsizing process. Fortunately for the Becks, deciding on what to keep and what to toss wasn’t as tough as it can be for others. For one, Marianne says she doesn’t have an attachment to things quite like her husband. However, George knew when it was time to let go of particular objects.

“I had this Rubbermaid tub of slides because we had a ton of pictures from over the years of living abroad and having children. I didn’t have digital copies of any of these pictures, but once I got the price for how much that cost—the slides went right to the dump. We hadn’t looked at them in 20 years. I didn’t care. The girls didn’t care, and it would cost over $3,000 to digitize all the slides. We’re good without them,” George says.

Additionally, the Becks created their ideal home alongside in-house moving coordinator Fran Ryan and the help of a contractor. The Becks made the place their own, from the paints and finishes to their all-new kitchen, bathroom and floors. Today, the Becks are involved in several committees and take part in all sorts of activities on campus. They love interacting with people, so moving to a retirement community became their ideal living situation.

Dine around: Explore the venues and menus

At Carlyle Place, you have a choice of venues and menus. Our restaurant-style dining room offers elegant selections and southern favorites, while the Bistro Café serves light, quick and made-to-order fare like sandwiches, burgers, salads, soups and more. The Pub is a great spot to meet with neighbors and friends and enjoy complimentary appetizers.

Try something at all of them if you can. This is easy to do during an experience stay.

Experience programs and activities

Explore what your everyday life could be like by actively engaging in scheduled activities. Life at Carlyle Place is designed to be vibrant and fulfilling, offering a diverse range of experiences. Whether it’s joining exercise classes, trying Wii bowling, discovering the art of brewing beer or honing woodworking skills, Life Plan Communities open doors to a world of possibilities.

It’s more than just scheduled events—it’s a dynamic community that encourages residents to stay actively involved, fostering a sense of purpose and fulfillment in their daily lives. Take this chance to explore new adventures and embrace day-to-day activities that bring you comfort and joy.

Understand the on-site healthcare options

Your independence, well-being and happiness matter. We support your goals to stay healthy and active, even if special assistance or a higher level of care is needed. 

Carlyle Place offers a full continuum of 5-star quality care—available on the same beautiful campus, provided by a truly outstanding team and accredited by CARF International. In addition to independent living, we also offer personal care, memory care, skilled nursing and rehabilitation.

Talk with other residents

When planning your trial stay, request several opportunities to dine and spend time with current residents. This is your chance to get honest answers about the inner workings of the community. Are maintenance and housekeeping on point? Is leadership trustworthy? What do they love most about the community? What motivated their move to Carlyle Place?

Like with anyone you meet for the first time, taking things with “a grain of salt” is important. While our residents are indeed wonderful, it’s essential to recognize that opinions may vary. Keep in mind that perspectives differ, and each individual’s experience is unique.

By the end of your stay, you should have a sense of whether Carlyle Place could potentially be your future home. The people you meet could be future friends and neighbors. Most importantly, will you be happy with everything the community offers?

Arrange your own experience stay

Have we piqued your interest? There’s only one way to know if Carlyle Place is right for you—come and visit us! Call (478) 405-4500 today and arrange your own experience stay to not only see our beautiful, amenity-packed campus but also to experience everything our community has to offer.

We can’t wait to meet you!

Sign up for the Carlyle Place Newsletter

"*" indicates required fields

Name*
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Return to the blog.