Independent Living

Simply put, a Life Plan Community (also known as a continuing care retirement community or CCRC) is a community for older adults that offers independent living residences and access to higher levels of care all on one campus.

Independent residences are typically outfitted with the latest in home fits and finishes and offer the freedom of maintenance-free living. For a set monthly fee, so much is included: fresh dining, all home maintenance, engaging amenities, and a myriad of cultural, social, educational, fitness and wellness programs.

Should a time come when extra support would be beneficial or required, a plan is in place. Specialized care, such as assisted living, memory support and skilled nursing, provides just what’s needed when it’s needed in welcoming environments.

Choosing to move to a Life Plan Community is about more than a maintenance-free lifestyle and having a plan in place for future care needs. If you are a proactive person, it’s about setting yourself up to ensure you are living life to the fullest. By having more time to do what you want to do — not what you have to do. By expanding your opportunities to be socially connected. By living in an environment designed to support total wellness. And, ultimately, by having security and peace of mind for you and those who love you.

A 55+ community offers independent living homes that usually include a maintenance-free lifestyle and a campus with common spaces and amenities. A Life Plan Community such as Westminster Gardens does the same, and, in addition, it offers various care options on campus. This means that if the health of you or your spouse ever changes, a plan will be in place. You won't need to move or be separated.

Westminster Gardens offers independent living garden homes in a wide range of sizes and floor plans. All homes feature modern fits and finishes and have private patios. Many include garages. And, of course, all residents have access to a wealth of amenities across our 32-acre campus.

Yes, pets are welcome! Some breed and weight restrictions may apply, so please talk to a sales counselor about your specific situation.

Absolutely not. Independent living at Westminster Gardens is just that: independent. You decide how to live your life, structure your day and pursue what’s most important to you. And your residence is your private space.

We believe strongly in the benefits of living in a community setting with easy access to new friends, neighbors, interest groups and social events. But there is never any pressure to participate. You can partake in community life to whatever extent you desire.

Our beautiful 32-acre campus has wide-open green spaces, lush gardens and plenty of amenities. Our fitness center, outdoor pool, tennis/pickleball court and walking paths make it easy to stay active. In addition, we have a library, dog park, meditation labyrinth, full-service salon and barbershop, and gathering spaces for resident meetings, movies, lectures, concerts and special events.

Eating well is a cornerstone of our wellness approach. This means healthy food prepared from scratch with fresh ingredients that are locally sourced whenever possible. We feature a balanced offering of gourmet cuisine and classic comfort foods. 

Flexible dining points can be used whenever you like in our main dining venue at Westminster Gardens or at our sister community of Royal Oaks, just over a mile away. Royal Oaks has a main dining room and The Oaks bistro and lounge. 

Westminster Gardens residents are very active with a wealth of interests! Between the work of our Life Enrichment team to create programs and excursions and resident-led interest groups and committees, there is something for everyone.

Some examples include:

• Professional music programs and concerts on campus year-round
• Summer concert series
• Group excursions to cultural venues, restaurants, Descanso Gardens and more*
• Lectures, book clubs and discussion groups
• Gardening group
• Knitting, crocheting and quilting group
• Numerous clubs and interest groups, including card groups, meditation groups, educational lectures and grief support
• Volunteer opportunities
• Many fitness classes, water aerobics and personal training sessions*
• Various resident-led committees that shape community life
• Spiritual and religious gatherings and programs
• Game nights

* For an additional fee

As an independent living resident with a Life Plan contract, you will pay a monthly fee and a one-time entrance fee. Both types of fees vary considerably depending on the size and type of home you choose. In addition, entrance fees vary by whether you select a rebatable or nonrebatable entrance fee option. (Rebatable means a portion of your entrance fee is returned to you or your estate when you leave the community.)

Please contact our sales counselors to learn more about available floor plans, fees and details of our contract.

If you would like to understand what type of home you could afford at Westminster Gardens, take this simple quiz.

An essential tenet of a Life Plan contract is to offer our residents security for life — physically, emotionally and financially. We operate a nonprofit foundation that provides financial support to those who outlive their resources through no fault of their own. For more information on Westminster Gardens' Life Plan contract, please contact one of our sales counselors.

Yes. We work closely with a downsizing and move management company that specializes in helping older adults. They can provide tremendous help throughout the process with sorting, organizing, disposing of unwanted items, packing for the move, space planning for your new home and even unpacking all of your belongings!

The benefit of a Life Plan Community such as Westminster Gardens is that you have a plan in place for possible future care needs. On our campus, we offer not only independent living residences but also assisted living and memory support. A skilled nursing center that can help with short-term recovery from a health event or a long-term care need is available at our sister community, Royal Oaks, which is just over a mile away. We can also assist you with adding care services in your home while living independently. As needs change, we work with you to determine what options are best and to add support only as needed to preserve autonomy and independence.

No, Westminster Gardens is not a traditional nursing home. It is a Life Plan Community, where the majority of residents live independently. We offer independent living residences and a continuum of care options — assisted living, memory support and skilled nursing care — should they be needed.

In our independent living homes (sometimes also called “residential living”), no caregiver assistance for help with activities of daily living is included as part of the standard monthly fee. No one is precluded from our independent living homes based on any protected category. We welcome everyone. Each independent living resident has the ability to make separate arrangements for caregiver services either by hiring private in-home caregivers or contracting for additional services through their HumanGood community (if such services are offered). 

It's normal to wonder if you’re ready to move. Understanding what being ready really means will help you make a decision that feels right for you. At times, people feel like they are waiting for a sign, a special birthday or circumstance. But the truth is, once you understand what a Life Plan Community is — and, just as importantly, what it’s not — the decision will become less fraught. Don’t forget to ask other people who have made the move about how they came to their decision — no doubt what you will hear is that they wish they had done it sooner.