Retirement Community Travel Programs Meet Retirees' Sense of Adventure

According to a 2024 AARP survey (PDF), approximately two-thirds (65%) of older Americans traveled last year. This same survey revealed that as many as 75% of older adults have a “travel bucket list” — places they want to visit during their life. This group with the “travel bug” includes the youngest batch of Baby Boomers, sometimes called the “Peak 65” cohort, which is now reaching retirement age.

At the same time, we know that 55+ communities are getting increasingly creative with ways to attract this next generation of residents. For instance, to appeal to the Peak 65ers’ desire to see the world, more and more retirement communities are developing innovative travel programs for their residents.

In many cases, these new programs go beyond the standard group travel of the past. Indeed, they have been elevated to become an even more appealing amenity for many of the younger Baby Boomers and a great example of retirement communities using their resources in innovative ways.

Senior living industry evolving to meet younger retirees’ preferences

As the final group of Baby Boomers reaches age 65, the senior living industry is undergoing a significant transformation. Retirement communities recognize that, in order to not only survive but continue to thrive in the decades to come, they must evolve to cater to this new cohort’s unique needs, preferences, and goals.

Indeed, the Peak 65 Baby Boomers are redefining what aging looks like. According to Pew research, many in this group say they feel up to a decade younger than their chronological age. These final Baby Boomer retirees are more active, more health-conscious, and importantly, more eager to explore new horizons.

As a result, one key area in which retirement communities are adapting to these younger prospective residents is in the opportunities they offer for travel and exploration. Increasingly, 55+ communities are incorporating new and improved travel-related amenities, such as high-adventure travel groups, innovative planned excursions, and novel partnerships with sister communities.

The ultimate goal? Attract younger retirees by giving them the freedom to see the world that they so crave while also ensuring they have access to the support they may need in their everyday lives — now or in the future.

The rise of the travel-friendly retirement community

Historically, retirement communities were known for offering a steady routine and a quiet lifestyle. Many picture the retirement community their parents or grandparents lived in: rocking chairs, bridge tables, and dinner each night at 5 o’clock sharp. While that relaxing lifestyle may still appeal to some, many of the youngest Baby Boomers have a very different expectation for what they want their retirement to look like.

In many cases, the Peak 65 cohort spent their careers dreaming of the day they would be free to explore the world — unbound from the constraints of work. Now, as they step into retirement, they’re looking for 55+ communities that offer more than just a low-maintenance place to live; they want opportunities for adventure and new experiences. The senior living industry is responding to this expectation in a variety of creative ways.

Customized travel groups and organized excursions

Many senior living communities are responding to retirees’ desire to explore the world by offering curated travel experiences.

For instance, Sun City Center in Florida offers its residents the chance to participate in an organized travel club. The group travels by motorcoach to regional events and activities from theater productions and sporting events, to dinner cruises, specialty restaurants, and popular festivals. Sun City also has an RV club for those who want to caravan to locations across the U.S. with a guided group.

Many Erickson Senior Living communities also offer travel opportunities to residents. From day trips to nearby attractions and events to extravagant multi-week cruises, residents can find the opportunity for adventure that suits their preferences. Resident ideas are essential to the success of these group trips, but to make planning a breeze, some Erickson communities even have special trip coordinators.

Vi Living at Lakeside Village, a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) in Lantana, Florida, has a unique Parks and Rec Club for residents who enjoy exploring the great outdoors. The group travels to local parks, beaches, nature preserves, and even equestrian centers, where residents can take in the breathtaking flora and fauna Florida has to offer.

For those who really want to take their sense of adventure to the next level, the Extraordinary Outings program offered by Watermark Retirement Communities might be right for you. The program provides unique group opportunities that range from overnight camping trips to skydiving. And these adventures are available regardless of whether the resident lives in independent living, assisted living, or memory care.

Importantly, all of these communities’ group travel experiences are designed not just for their residents’ entertainment. They create a vital sense of connection and camaraderie among residents who share a love of travel, exploration, and new experiences.

Partnerships with sister retirement communities

As highlighted in a recent article, some retirement communities are also forming partnerships with sister communities in different locations, allowing residents to travel between them.

For example, the Sunshine Travel Program offered by Sunshine Retirement Living offers a similar opportunity for travel. Residents can explore 13 cities located in six states where Sunshine has properties — from Georgia to Oregon. They simply make a reservation in advance to stay in the community’s guest suite for up to seven nights per visit. While there, they can enjoy all the amenities of home like three meals a day, transportation services, and any of the community’s other activities and amenities.

The Acts Travel Program is a similar arrangement provided by Acts Retirement-Life Communities. Residents can book modestly priced accommodations at 28 different Acts campuses across nine East Coast states. While visiting, residents can take advantage of the community’s services and amenities, including access to the same level of care services they receive in their home community.

Platinum Living Services’ Platinum Travel Program also enables residents to stay at any of the organization’s sister communities — from the beautiful deserts of southwestern Utah to California’s wine country. Meals and amenities at the destination community are included when a resident books a stay in the guest apartment.

These types of sister community travel programs are particularly attractive for retirees who are more cost-conscious and/or who want to avoid the hassles of travel planning. Instead of worrying about booking hotels or finding short-term rental apartments, they can rely on their trusted retirement community to provide them with the same level of comfort and care in a new location at low- or no-cost.

The benefits of travel for senior living community residents

The integration of travel opportunities in senior living communities is about more than just giving retirees something fun to do. Travel has been shown to have a variety of benefits for older adults, including:

Mental and emotional health: Travel can reduce feelings of isolation and depression by providing a sense of purpose, novelty, and excitement. Engaging with new environments and cultures stimulates the brain, which can help prevent cognitive decline.
Physical health: Traveling often involves physical activity — whether it’s walking around a museum, hiking through nature, or simply getting out and about in the fresh air and sunshine. These activities are vital for maintaining mobility and overall physical health.
Social connections: Traveling with fellow retirement community residents or meeting new people on trips fosters strong social bonds, reducing loneliness and helping residents develop meaningful long-term relationships.

Meeting today’s active retirees’ desire for adventure

Many members of the Peak 65 cohort of the Baby Boomer generation are not looking for a sedentary lifestyle during their retirement. They feel young and therefore want to remain physically and mentally engaged. Continued exploration is often a key element of this. After all, they still have items they want to check off their bucket lists!

As they redefine what “retirement” means, the Peak 65ers are more likely to seek 55+ communities that offer a balance of an active but low-maintenance lifestyle, wellness and social engagement options, and travel opportunities. Travel-friendly communities will become more common, and the integration of personalized travel programs will be a key selling point for future residents.

Senior living communities that want to appeal to this group of retirees should continue to develop new and exciting services and amenities in order to attract new prospective residents. Programs that integrate wellness alongside unique travel opportunities, providing holistic experiences, will help keep these younger residents active, happy, and fulfilled.

If you’re considering a retirement community that touts a travel program, it’s a good idea to reach out directly to ask about the specifics of their travel offerings, especially how frequently trips are organized and how partnerships with sister communities function.

The future of retirement travel

In the coming years, we may see even more sophisticated retirement community travel programs and offerings, like the ability to book global travel experiences seamlessly through the community’s services or partnerships with cruise lines and tour companies specifically for older adults.

Additionally, AARP research shows that about 14% of older adult travelers have a disability or have a travel companion with one. Interestingly, this group travels just as much as their same-aged counterparts. The number of Americans with health and mobility challenges will only grow with our aging population. As a result, more low-mobility-friendly travel programs will likely enter the market to cater to the Baby Boomers’ desire to continue to explore new locations and learn about different cultures.

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