If you look at Google search (and these days, don’t we all?), you’d notice that The Knolls is ranking under the term “55+ retirement community” in Westchester County. But just as looks can be deceiving, calling The Knolls a “55+ retirement community” is not just inaccurate, it doesn’t even begin to do justice to us — or the incredibly active and vital people who live here.

The first step in deciding what the best choice for your future may be is understanding the differences between other senior living options and a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) like The Knolls.


Retirement Community: What You See Is Pretty Much All You Get

More often than not, retirement communities, particularly those marketed toward 55+, are just developments run by a homeowner’s association, which takes care of maintaining outdoor and common areas. Many communities have a clubhouse or meeting room where residents can organize activities. These retirement communities are fairly similar to condominium living in that you may own your own apartment or rent it out. If all you’re looking for is a quiet neighborhood where you don’t have to cut the grass or shovel snow, this type of community may be a good option for you.

CCRCs: Much More Bang for Your Buck

A CCRC offers a much broader range of services and amenities than you’ll find with a typical retirement community. To begin with, life in a CCRC is truly maintenance-free. Not only does the community provide services like lawn care, snow removal and exterior maintenance, but it takes care of maintenance and repairs inside your apartment or house as well, including housekeeping and linen services. Got a problem with the fridge or HVAC? Not really — the CCRCs maintenance team will take care of it for you. Don’t feel like cooking? CCRCs like The Knolls offer a variety of dining options, from light fare to fine dining, and flexible meal plans. And if you like cooking, no worries there, either. All the homes at The Knolls feature beautifully appointed kitchens.

So now that you don’t have to worry about spending your weekends on home maintenance projects, what do you do with all that free time? If you move to a CCRC like The Knolls, there’s a good chance you’ll have something fun on your calendar every day, as well as plenty of friends to enjoy it with you. Talk to our residents and you’ll hear a similar refrain about how wonderful the people are — including residents and employees. The ability for you to lead an active social life and the opportunity to make and surround yourself with new friends is what The Knolls is all about.

CCRCs also organize activities and events on and off campus, from fitness, art and computer classes to lifelong learning programs, day trips for shopping, sightseeing, or any of the hundreds of activities you can participate in from Westchester to New York City. Not only that, residents form clubs and organize activities based on their own interests as well.

Aside from access to all Westchester and NYC have to offer, The Knolls has its own library, computer and fitness center with a beautiful indoor pool. There’s also a wide variety of classes in theater and the arts, as well as life-long learning classes at Westchester Community College, just a stone’s throw from our campus. If the outdoors calls, there are scenic walking trails and nearby parks and lakes. Put them together and The Knolls has more than enough to keep you occupied seven days a week.

Most important of all, a CCRC like The Knolls offers something you won’t find at your standard retirement community — a continuum of healthcare that means you’ll be taken care of should your physical or mental needs ever change. The Healthcare Center is home to our excellent short-term rehabilitation center, with comfortable residences and compassionate skilled nursing care. If you ever require short-term rehabilitation, you’ll appreciate the convenience of having a respected rehab clinic right on campus. Our skilled therapists will help you recover and quickly return to your independent apartment home.

Another important fact that sets The Knolls apart from the rest is that we’re a non-profit. The only non-profit CCRC in Westchester County, in fact. What does that mean to you? It’s simple – you come first, not profits for some large corporation.

When you compare the differences, while a typical retirement community may be fine for some, a CCRC is a home where you can feel safe and secure knowing that you’ll be taken care of no matter what life brings.

If you enjoyed this first in our series of Lifestyle blogs, please watch for the second and third installments of this important series. And if you’d like to see for yourself what life at The Knolls can mean for you, contact us at (914) 461-4518 to schedule your visit.

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