Age is truly just a number for Hickory Valley residents

Spring is a time of rebirth and renewal for many, and at Hickory Valley: A Senior Living Community, residents embrace that truth head on.

"I get asked all the time about the average age for our residents here," said sales director Mia Preston. "The thing is, we don't have an average. We have everyone here from younger 70s all the way up to 104."

This variety in age is a testimony to the community's wide range of activities and plethora of living arrangements, which can all be customized to each individual's needs.

"I tell our residents all the time that age is just a number, and if you stop laughing, you stop living,"

said activities director Melissa Burke. "You are never too old or too young to have fun. And here, we make sure you have fun."

Too often, people go in to independent living or assisted living communities thinking it's going to cut off their independence, said Preston. However, in coming to Hickory Valley, she said it's really a way to extend oneself in a refreshing new way.

"You're not going to be put somewhere to just sit," she explained. "We have activities that are geared toward the community at large as well as the individual independent living and assisted living sides. No one should ever feel like they are bored or out of place."

Preston and the rest of Hickory Valley's staff meet regularly as a group and with residents to determine a variety of activities each month. Everything set up is then listed in the community newsletter along with many helpful tips, advice, motivational quotes and more, to keep residents informed and active.

"We also send [the newsletter] out to all our prospects to keep them in the loop of what we have going on," Preston said. "Some people outside of the community even call and ask for them because they find them helpful and they like to know what's going on that they can be a part of."

Activities for Hickory Valley residents vary widely, from visits by the Chattanooga Zoo and performances by local musicians to exercise classes and shopping trips and lunch outings. For assisted living residents, activities might include one-on-one visits and bingo and musical activities, while those in the independent living portion might be more inclined to participate in outings and exercise.

"Regardless, anyone can and is welcome to participate in anything we offer," Preston assured.

The apartments available at Hickory Valley are another reason so many different folks from so many different walks of life call it home. With seven different room types available, there is truly something that suits all ages and stages of life. Handicap-accessible quarters feature open halls and doorways, while independent living rooms feature complete kitchens and more.

"We cover so much of that grey area because we have the assisted living on-site," Preston added in regards to the care and housing options available. "People are able to stay in their independent living apartments with the help that they need available."

MORE INFORMATION

Hickory Valley: A Senior Living Community is located at 6705 Ballard Drive. For more information or to schedule a tour, visit hickoryvalleyretirement.com or call the office at 423-855-0508.

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