By Shannon Ruedlinger, Vice President of Brand Experience
Every veteran carries a story worth honoring.
At Senior Lifestyle, we believe honoring veterans begins with taking the time to understand their service, their story and what matters most to them.
The right senior living community offers more than exceptional care and amenities. It offers a place where your experiences are valued, your story is respected and new connections take root. That’s the kind of community we strive to create every day.
Throughout my years in senior living, I’ve seen the remarkable impact of veterans finding one another. Shared experiences spark friendships, stories create lasting connections and a community becomes home.
How Veterans Are Welcomed at Senior Lifestyle Communities
Every resident has a unique story, and we believe getting to know that story is one of the most important parts of welcoming someone into our community.
Communities such as Liberty Heights in Colorado Springs, near the U.S. Air Force Academy, have a particularly strong connection to the military community. A majority of residents there have a military affiliation, according to Natalie Gratzmiller, Director of Hospitality II at Liberty Heights.
That connection can become part of everyday life. Liberty Heights has a military wall displaying photos of veterans along with their rank, and the community hosts an annual Veterans Day ceremony for veterans and their spouses. Air Force Academy cadets also join residents for a Veterans Day brunch, while a local sponsor visits monthly to lead discussions related to residents’ military experiences.
But that sense of camaraderie is not limited to communities in areas with large military populations. Veterans across Senior Lifestyle communities find opportunities to connect with others who share similar experiences.
Many residents have served in the Armed Forces, and those shared experiences have naturally led to meaningful friendships. At The Addison of McCullough Place, Community Relations Director Natalie Riccilli has seen male veterans gather regularly around what they call “the guys’ table,” where conversations and laughter provide a sense of belonging.
The ability to build those relationships close to home can make a meaningful difference. Gratzmiller has heard from spouses and family members who said their loved ones did not talk about their military experiences until they moved into a community where they could connect with other veterans.
Recognizing Veterans Beyond a Single Day
While Veterans Day provides an important opportunity for recognition, gratitude should never be limited to a single day on the calendar.
Across Senior Lifestyle communities, honoring veterans is part of everyday life. Communities host patriotic celebrations, veteran interviews, guest speakers, pinning ceremonies, educational programs, memorial events and opportunities for residents to share their military experiences with one another and with younger generations.
At The Addison of McCullough Place, for example, veterans’ apartments display framed certificates reading “A Veteran Lives Here,” while a Wall of Honor recognizes both veteran residents and team members with their names and photos.
One of the most powerful things I have witnessed is how deeply veterans connect with their military experiences. Even residents who may have some cognitive changes can often recall their service history, the people they served with and the moments that shaped them.
I recently heard a similar story from Riccilli, who interviewed two veteran residents, one from the Army and one from the Navy. Both had some memory changes, yet each continued sharing details about their service. One resident even returned to his apartment to retrieve a large scrapbook documenting his military years, from his enrollment after high school through his service, complete with articles, photographs and souvenirs.
He had an outlet to share his story, and both residents were able to express pride in their years of service.
That tells us how important those experiences are. Honoring veterans is not just something we do for them. It is part of understanding who they are.
Helping Veterans Access Available Resources
For veterans and their families, choosing a senior living community can also involve understanding available resources and benefits. Our teams are committed to helping families navigate available resources, connecting them with organizations that specialize in veterans’ programs or offering guidance through unfamiliar processes. We endeavor to make the transition as smooth and supportive as possible.
Throughout my career, I have helped residents and families walk through the benefit application process and connect with organizations that specialize in supporting veterans. These resources can be valuable tools for families who may not know what assistance is available.
We begin those conversations early when a prospective resident tells us they are a veteran. At The Addison of McCullough Place, Riccilli has seen VA Aid and Attendance benefits help qualified veterans make their resources and family contributions last longer, giving them the opportunity to remain part of their community.
Organizations such as Patriot Angels can also help guide veterans through the process of applying for benefits. Having someone familiar with the requirements and paperwork can make the experience feel more manageable for residents and their families.
The goal is always to help veterans access the resources they have earned while making the transition into senior living as smooth as possible.
Continuing a Life of Service and Purpose
One of the things I appreciate most about senior living is the opportunity for residents to continue contributing their time, experience and leadership.
Veterans bring a lifetime of knowledge and perspective to their communities. Many continue sharing their stories with younger generations through school visits, mentorship opportunities and partnerships with local organizations.
I have seen residents volunteer with nearby VA hospitals, connect with ROTC programs and participate in community events where they can share their experiences with others.
At Liberty Heights, opportunities for residents to mentor, inspire and share their talents are part of the community’s broader approach to volunteerism and leadership. These opportunities can give veterans another way to lead, contribute and connect with the community around them.
Service does not end when someone leaves the military. For many veterans, it simply takes on a new form.
Finding a Community That Feels Like Home
For veterans and their families considering senior living, one of the most important questions to ask is whether the community offers opportunities for connection.
Are there other veterans living there? Does the community recognize and celebrate their service? Are there opportunities to share their experiences and continue making a difference?
The answers may look different from one community to another. What matters is finding a place where a veteran’s history is understood and where there are genuine opportunities to build relationships around shared experiences.
More than just a place to live, a strong senior living community provides relationships, experiences and opportunities to stay engaged. For veterans, that means finding a community where they are known, appreciated and surrounded by people who value the life they have built.
As Gratzmiller puts it, “We are all storytellers. We all live in a network of stories.” For veterans, having a place where those stories can be shared and appreciated can create a powerful sense of belonging.
A community is something you should not have to drive to or search for. It should be right outside your door, available over a meal, during an event or through a simple conversation with a neighbor.
That is the kind of connection every veteran deserves.
Learn more about Senior Lifestyle resources for veterans, community locations and living options available across the country.
