From belly dancing and Bistro events to cornhole and card games, our independent living activities offer something for everyone.
When you think about moving to a senior living community, what comes to mind? For some older adults, the possibility of starting a whole new chapter evokes excitement. Others may feel some trepidation about starting anew in unfamiliar surroundings.
One of the most effective ways to dispel any concerns you may have is to spend time in several communities and get a feel for what it would be like to live there. Each retirement community has its own vibe, and you’ll probably be able to tell pretty quickly whether you’d feel comfortable there as a resident.
We’d love for you to visit Highpoint at Stonecrest, have a look around and talk with others who’ve chosen our community as their home. In the meantime, we can give you a glimpse of what life is like for a few who live here and what kind of retirement community activities they prefer.
Al and Donna Smith, a Couple of New Kids, Knew What They Were Getting Into.
The Smiths just moved to our community in spring 2025, but a friend of theirs had moved here before they did. Knowing how much she enjoyed living here was a strong incentive to come see Highpoint at Stonecrest for themselves.
“We chose Highpoint because it was bright, airy and open,” Donna says. “The food was wonderful when we tried it, and the people here are so friendly. It just felt like home.”
Since their experience was so positive when they came to visit, and because they already had a friend here, the decision to become part of our community was easy for Al and Donna.
“When our home sold, we knew where we were going!” Donna says.
The Smiths have made new friends since moving to Highpoint at Stonecrest, and they still spend a lot of time with friends they had before moving. Donna says they’re always inviting their friends to our community, with the hope of convincing them to move here too.
Taking Pleasure in New Interests
Donna says a couple of years before she and Al moved, they had stopped doing some of the activities they’d long enjoyed — horseback riding for her, golfing for him.
Since they’ve been here, though, they’ve found several other activities for independent living seniors they enjoy. Al has started playing poker and is thinking about trying his hand at bridge, according to Donna. She has been exploring her creativity through various art-related activities. She’s also teaching a belly dancing class!
Full — and Satisfying — Days Are the Norm
The Smiths usually begin their day by taking their dog, Fritzy, for a long walk. Afterward, Al meets friends for breakfast and Donna gets some more physical activity by taking a fitness class. Some of her favorites are cardio drumming and yoga.
From there, they check out our activity calendar to see what they want to do with the rest of their day. For instance, they might plan to attend one of our frequent live music performances. Or maybe a live auction (where residents bid on mystery items with play money), a game show in which the residents participate, or a friendly competition among our chefs.
Our Director of Lifestyles, Barbie Newcomb, and her staff do a fabulous job of coming up with out-of-the-ordinary senior living event ideas. You can read more about them in this earlier blog post.
Dining’s a Highlight of the Day
Donna says she and Al look forward to mealtimes now that they’re here, not only because “the food is really tasty,” but also because they enjoy catching up with their friends.
They’re definitely not the only ones who anticipate mealtime with gusto. For many residents in senior living communities, the social aspect of dining is as strong a motivator as the food itself. And in our case, based on the feedback we’ve received, we know that the food served in our dining room is nothing short of scrumptious.
Rudy Dupois Knows So Many of the Other Residents, We Call Him ‘the Governor.’
While the Smiths are among the most recent residents to move into our community, Rudy has been with us for nearly four years. He and his wife, Doris, reserved their residence when the community was still under construction and were among the first to move in.
Although Rudy enjoys our unique senior community activities, he likes spending the majority of his time walking around the community and getting to know the other residents. If he’s not walking the hallways or outside, there’s a good chance you’ll find him greeting people in the lobby or chatting with other residents in the Bistro or our dining room.
“Doris and I liked the idea of being part of a new community when we moved to Highpoint. Many of us from those early days are still here, and it’s nice being able to stay connected this long,” he says.
Since he’s such a people person, Rudy has been an obvious choice to serve as a resident ambassador, welcoming newer residents and helping them feel at home. It’s a responsibility he takes to heart.
“It’s important for me to make sure everyone feels good about moving here,” Rudy says.
Discovering a New Pastime, and Planning to Get Back Into an Old One
Rudy was an avid golfer before moving to our community and tells us he had a 3 handicap before he stopped playing. He still goes to the driving range and says he is looking to get back into playing rounds.
When he’s ready to take that step, he can take advantage of the partnership we have with our neighboring 55+ community, Stonecrest. Highpoint residents receive a discount at Broad Stripes Golf Club, Stonecrest’s semiprivate golf course.
Meanwhile, Rudy has found that he really enjoys playing cornhole!
A Recommendation From Rudy and the Smiths: Don’t Wait.
Although they have different perspectives — the Smiths as brand-new residents and Rudy as a long-timer — when we asked them what advice they would offer someone who’s considering moving to Highpoint, they agreed on one crucial point: Don’t put it off.
“Ask questions about what you’re interested in so you know what to expect,” says Rudy. “I haven’t regretted a moment of living here and would recommend anyone who is thinking about it to make the decision now instead of waiting.”
“There are so many great things about this place and things to do,” says Donna. “If you wait [to move] until something happens, you won’t be able to enjoy them.”
What Would a Day at Highpoint Look Like for You?
Maybe you’d like to kick off your day with a water aerobics class in our beautiful, heated saltwater pool. After that, you could have some breakfast with your new neighbors and then join Donna in an art class.
Rudy would no doubt be happy to learn more about you over lunch and offer you some tips for easing into the community.
With so many activities for independent living to choose from, you could be spontaneous when mapping out your afternoon. If you prefer to plan ahead (or you want to make sure you snag a place at some of our most popular events), you can sign up ahead of time. Otherwise, there are always plenty of opportunities to drop in on an activity and check it out. Who knows? You might discover a whole new passion.
As dinnertime rolls around, you may find yourself looking forward to one of the mouth-watering entrées you noticed on the menu earlier — and some engaging conversation to go with it.
Here’s the point: In a community like Highpoint at Stonecrest, you have an abundance of options. This means your “routine” can be experiencing something new each day — it’s up to you!
Ready to learn more about our community and the lifestyle we offer?
Contact us so we can set up a time for you to visit. You can also reach us at 352-549-9210. We’d love to hear from you!
Featured Image: PeopleImages.com – Yuri A / Shutterstock