Retirement is not the final chapter. Consider it your “freedom chapter.” It’s a prime opportunity to meet people, make new friendships, and enjoy activities you didn’t have time to pursue when working and raising a family. 

Think of all the things you love about taking a luxury vacation. Comfortable, stylish surroundings. Endless options for dining, activities, and entertainment. Zero responsibilities for clean up or maintenance. 

Independent Living at Sumter combines a country club lifestyle with the best aspects of taking luxury vacation. You’ll find a wealth of amenities all included in one monthly fee. It’s totally up to you what to participate in, be as busy and sociable you choose to be. 

Making it easy

Many things become more difficult as we age, but that shouldn’t include where you live. 

Instead of budgeting for property taxes and insurance and worrying about the next major home repair, isn’t it time to let that go? 

Independent Living at Sumter provides the benefits of living in beautiful Central Florida with none of the concerns and costs of home ownership.

“You get all the privileges and amenities of being on The Villages® property without all the responsibility and maintenance that come with owning your own home,” says Mica Gilles, executive director of Sumter Senior Living. 

Enjoy the convenience of an onsite beauty salon/barber shop. Massage services are also available

There is ample parking, and residents have the option of paid carport space. 

Sized right

Apartment choices fit all different budgets.

Independent living units range from studios to 2 bedroom/2 bath apartments, from 441 sq. ft. up to 1,150 sq ft. in size.

With a total of 298 apartments, independent living, assisted living and memory care options are all available in one location with a warm, family-like atmosphere. 

Savor the outdoors

Although it was a relief to sell your house and say goodbye to chores and responsibilities, you might wonder if you’ll miss having a yard with the chance to get your hands dirty and putter in the garden. Not to worry!

The Garden Club gives interested residents plenty of opportunities to garden through the seasons. Plus, you can always add personality to your own unit with potted plants.

Most independent living apartment units (one bedroom and up) have their own outdoor space. Ground floor units have individual outdoor patios. Apartments on higher floors each have their own balcony. Make that space distinctly your own with outdoor décor and your favorite plants thriving in pots right outside your door. 

Residents can spend as much time enjoying the outdoors as they like. In addition to the pool area, there are walking paths and an enclosed courtyard. 

Pet-inclusive

Independent Living at Sumter means you don’t have to give up a beloved pet. The campus is pet-inclusive, and many residents share their lives with furry and feathered friends.

“We love pets here and have plenty of residents with dogs, cats and birds,” says Mica.

There’s even a fenced-in dog park on site.

Chef-prepared meals 

Once you move in, house cleaning and cooking are just memories. You don’t have to worry about meals, housework or maintenance ever again.

Even though your apartment includes a kitchen, you’ll only cook if you feel like it. In fact, most residents admit they rarely use their stove/oven. Why bother cooking when three daily healthy and delicious meals are included in the monthly fee?

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included each day. Snacks are available in the bistro area.

Residents rave about the restaurant-quality meals prepared by real chefs. There are no cafeteria-style meals or assigned seating here. Just like dining out at your favorite restaurant, you’ll choose from the menu and enjoy quality food and service. There’s always a daily special, and once a week, residents enjoy a themed dinner buffet.

Dining Services Director Deborah Rivera changes out the menu quarterly and ensures it always features healthy, fresh, and tasty choices. 

There’s a full bar with full liquor license, so you don’t even have to leave campus to socialize over meals or drinks. 

Stay connected

Staying active and engaged in your community supports your overall well-being and happiness. You can choose to be busy every day or just participate in a few favorite activities each week. 

Whatever your style, the best thing is that you never have to go it alone.

“I think one of the best things about living in our community is the friendships that form,” says Mica. “We have people ranging in age from 70s to over 100. With 330 total residents on campus and about half of those in independent living, you’re going to meet people you have things in common with.” 

When you can’t live near family or don’t have any family, friends can become family and play a vital role in your life.

“We need people in our lives; that helps us stay young,” says Mica. “Some people move in as couples, but we have a lot of singles. Also, when people come to our community as a couple and one passes away, they have created relationships that can support them moving forward.”

Age well

Where you live can actually impact how well you age.

Choosing independent living when you’re still active and independent means you can fully enjoy and benefit from the lifestyle rather than waiting for a crisis.

“I believe that people who move into independent living have healthier, longer lives because they are getting the help they need earlier and can focus on what’s important to them,” says Mica. “The right environment can make healthy choices, meaningful connection, and active living much easier to maintain.”

Residents of Independent Living at Sumter have access to the pharmacy and can choose to see the doctors, nurse practitioners, therapists and other medical professionals who care for residents in assisted living and memory care.

“These health care professionals also service our independent living residents at their will, so if you live here and don’t want to drive out for medical care, you can receive it here on campus,” says Mica. 

Caring support

Every resident matters and is noticed.

This detail is especially important for residents who live alone. It’s comforting to realize that caring staff members get to know you and will take action if you may need help.

If family doesn’t see their relative often, they may not notice when that person’s mental or physical health changes. 

“People don’t slip through the cracks here like they can when living at home alone,” says Mica. “If I haven’t seen someone doing their normal routine, I’m going to check on them. For example, if someone hasn’t been coming to lunch and they usually do, we follow up and will reach out to their contact if needed.” 

Whenever a resident signs their lease, they are asked to provide emergency contacts and power of attorney contact (POA) to make sure staff knows who to contact should that be necessary. 

“We’re able to intervene and can be the line of communication between a resident’s family and emergency contacts,” notes Mica. 

Should your situation change, help is available right where you live.

“Independent living is truly a stand-alone community, but if their care needs change, residents have first priority over someone living off campus to move into assisted living or memory care,” says Mica.

Dedicated employees

Residents appreciate that with 150 employees working across the campus, there is always someone who can help or address whatever question or need they may have. 

Even in independent living, there’s someone at the front desk 24/7.

“We pride ourselves on hiring the best staff, training them well and retaining them,” says Mica. “Some members of the team have been here since the community opened in 2012.” 

Fitness Director Hansi Morales has created an extensive calendar of exercise classes for all interests, from stretching and strength training to cardio drumming, vibration plate and more. Classes are held across campus five days a week with life enrichment activities offered every weekday. 

Stylish refresh

Independent Living at Sumter routinely earns 5-star satisfaction reviews from residents.

In July, the community marked its re-grand opening to celebrate a major refresh of most common spaces. The lobby, restaurant, bar, bistro, fitness center, and full-service salon all received a bright makeover with new flooring, lighting, furniture, and paint.

Units have always received a refresh between residents and are upgraded as needed with new flooring and new appliances. Now the common spaces share the same appealing presentation.

“We are the oldest independent living facility in The Villages®, with a high occupancy rate of 98 to 100 percent, but we were aging, and first impressions are everything,” says Mica. “We reinvested back into the community so that residents can visually have the same level of quality as their experiences here. 

We’ve been providing great experiences and now our aesthetics match. Now we look like what we provide. We match our vibe!” 

If you’re ready for all of the benefits with none of the responsibilities, call today. Make plans to come tour the property. Have a meal, enjoy some entertainment and experience how it feels to live like a resident of Independent Living at Sumter. 

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Photos: Nicole Hamel and Provided