Throughout Acadiana, many older residents are at a crossroads in life. They’re still active, healthy, and able to perform many daily tasks on their own. But, they are also craving more social interactions, less household upkeep, and the reassurance that comes with knowing someone is nearby if a problem arises.
For people in those situations, the Independent Living apartments at The Vincent Senior Living in Lafayette offer numerous advantages. Most importantly, they provide a sense of community and companionship which can combat feelings of loneliness and isolation. Residents can choose their own one- or two-bedroom pet-friendly apartment and maintain their lifestyle, which may include driving themselves around town or even working and volunteering. But, the apartments are in a community that lets them meet new friends, share meals with others, enjoy frequent live entertainment, and let others handle housekeeping and chores.
“When you drive onto our property, it looks like a gated neighborhood for seniors. That immediately draws people in,” said Anne-Marie Billeaud, The Vincent’s customer experience specialist. “We emphasize security, socialization, and an active lifestyle. Our meals are an on-site restaurant-style experience. There’s maintenance-free living. Everything is at the residents’ fingertips.”
The Vincent has six different Independent Living apartment floor plans, although all include amenities such as private entrances, attached garages, fully-equipped kitchens with stainless steel appliances, private patios with lake views, full-sized washer and dryer connections, full-size laundry rooms and spacious walk-in closets. Billeaud said that when a prospective new Independent Living resident visits The Vincent, a large part of the discussion is about which type of apartment is the right fit for them.
“They have the chance to look at the different apartments and their locations within the community,” Billeaud said. “We do a cost comparison to look at what they are spending at home versus what they would pay for living here. Once we settle the financial aspects, we are able to help them choose an apartment and begin the leasing process. We work with them on everything from signing the lease to moving in to following up and helping them get settled. They have my direct line in case they have questions. Our focus is to make the move-in process go smoothly and ease any fears of change.”
Billeaud said one of the main reasons residents want to move to The Vincent is to have more social interactions. Prior to moving in, many are living by themselves in a large house with very little to do and are lonely after the death of a spouse or loved one. The Independent Living community provides frequent opportunities to alleviate that loneliness and build new friendships. All residents, including those in Independent Living, are encouraged to have meals together and take in shows at the on-site movie theater. The staff schedules daily activities, but Independent Living residents have also taken it upon themselves to set up a book club, garden, bourrée group, and more. There’s also plenty of live entertainment, including trips to Lafayette musical and theater performances, plus visits by local singers and musicians.
“The Vincent offers a built-in social network, providing opportunities for residents to connect with others through all our activities, events and communal spaces,” Billeaud said. “Residents here foster friendships and a sense of belonging. Our community encourages spontaneous interactions, reducing the likelihood of isolation. It’s a supportive environment with meaningful connections among residents. It’s a beautiful thing to witness.”
Billeaud said the nature of life at The Vincent means that residents can enjoy all of these activities without worry. Although medical assistance is not a licensed service within the Independent Living community, the staff works with residents to ensure they attend all necessary doctor’s appointments, even providing transportation if needed. In addition, each resident has a pendant that they can use to reach the staff for any reason, whether it's a health issue, a maintenance work order, car trouble off-site, or any other need.
“We also have administrators and staff who are constantly in the community,” Billeaud said. “If a family member is worried about someone, we can do a wellness check right away. It’s that community feeling and knowing that someone is there to offer support and help if the need arises.”
With Assisted Living and Memory Care communities also on-site, The Vincent is designed for residents to age in place. Currently, Independent Living apartments are available, mostly because residents who previously lived there have transitioned to another community within The Vincent. Billeaud said Independent Living residents typically sign one-year leases.
“I think one of the things that makes us special is that our team is very empathetic and dedicated,” Billeaud said. “We really invest in our employees because staff retention plays a huge role in resident retention. The morale and team camaraderie is important to us because we realize we work in people’s homes. We really emphasize empathy and compassion. Our employees understand that residents are changing their lives in order to live here.”
The Vincent Senior Living is located at 2201 Verot School Road in Lafayette. To learn more or schedule a tour, call 337-345-4105 or visit vincentseniorliving.com.