“When we think of old age, we rarely think of romance. That is changing fast.”
An extraordinary benefit of life at Inspīr, the luxurious, cosmopolitan senior-living community in Carnegie Hill is that all of one’s needs are fully taken care of so residents can concentrate on the truly important thing in life. Namely, enduring love and relationships.
BY KELLY KRETH
“Every wall of our apartment tells a story from our past. We have oil paintings created by our dear neighbor from Long Island. I’ve displayed some hand-thrown pottery I designed over the years,” explains Roberta.
Sy says, “I play poker and bridge, and I really enjoy the variety of lectures offered here. There’s always something interesting to learn.”
Roberta, in her 80s, and Sy, 95, have been married for 64 years, and moved into Inspīr Carnegie Hill on Manhattan’s tony East Side when they realized they needed more support. At Inspīr, they could remain as independent as possible and pursue new hobbies and friendships on their own and as a couple. They did not need to sacrifice luxury for care; they are provided with both form and function.
Sy, a retired OB-GYN, and Roberta, a former psychotherapist, enjoyed a fabulous suburban life in Long Island where they raised a family. The couple decided to head to NYC “where the action is” after their children were grown. As they grew older, the betrothed knew they didn’t want to give up the vibrant life they were accustomed to in the city, but they needed some assistance. They choose to move to Inspir’s high-end tower in an apartment they adore – almost as much as they adore each other.
When we think of old age, we rarely think of romance. However, that seems to be changing. With the debut of “The Golden Bachelor” (and Bachelorette) those in their golden years are being represented more fully in pop culture.
Enter: Inspīr, the luxury brand from Maplewood which has two urban locations, including Inspīr Carnegie Hill, located in the heart of Manhattan. In a cosmopolitan city setting, which feels more like a luxury resort than senior-living facility, seniors are free to concentrate on their relationships without the stress of worrying about their basic needs, medical issues, and mobility. Inspīr allows romance to flourish, and the residents can remain as independent as possible, constantly learning new things, and remaining social with peers.
Overall, Inspīr has set the scene for relationships to grow by taking care of the things that would otherwise hold back people in their 70s to 90s. Residents have their own one- or two-bedroom apartments and have easy access to the dining room, pool, beautifully curated outdoor spaces, and a Wellness Center, and there are a plethora of on-site and off-site events and activities for them to join.
And while Roberta and Sy, came to Inspīr already long-married, others find the relaxed setting perfectly conducive to finding new and lasting relationships…and love!
That’s true across the Maplewood Senior Living family of communities, which includes Inspīr. While each property offers its own distinct character, all are designed to support vibrant, engaged lifestyles—making it easy for meaningful connections to blossom.
The couple, Kathy and Jack, who live at another Maplewood property, were spending so much time together as friends they don’t remember exactly how they began to fall in love, but they do remember their first kiss, “We both recall something hilarious happened, we kissed, and then we both burst out laughing. It was unplanned and a little silly,” explained Jack.
Although Kathy and Jack didn’t arrive together, they are committed to staying together. Exclaimed Kathy, “I’m 90, for Pete’s sake!” Jack replied, “I’m at the point where I can’t imagine being with anyone else.” He nodded affirmatively when Kathy said “This is it. This is for life.”
In addition to humor, patience is a theme of their relationship. “There are many situations that can be challenging in life, especially at our age, and our patience helps us support one another,” explained Jack.
Happy relationships – romantic or platonic friendship–exemplify the spirit of Inspīr — thriving communities where life –and love–are embraced wholeheartedly. More than just residences, these environments foster connections, promote personal growth, and rekindle community spirit. Here, residents like Sy and Roberta, have endless opportunities to pursue passions, form friendships, and write exciting new chapters.
“Art and theater have been lifelong passions for us. One of our favorite things to do was watching and then discussing independent films at Lincoln Center on Sundays,” explains Roberta.
Roberta says, “I’ve always loved creating pottery. It offers an escape that’s both calming and exciting while allowing me to be creative. I can lose myself for hours in the process.”
“For me, it’s wood carving. I took it up after retirement to keep my hands and mind busy. My dad was a cabinetmaker, I guess you could say I’m carrying on the family tradition in my own way,” adds Sy.
The couple loves the Inspīr location, design and amenities, “We came to see Inspīr, and that was it. It’s fun here. It’s beautiful, very comfortable, the architecture is wonderful, everything just flows. The layout of the apartments was what we needed, there’s plenty of natural light, and best of all, it’s two blocks from our daughter,” the couple remarks.
“We feel lucky to have each other and to be surrounded by such a vibrant community,” Sy explains. Roberta concurs, “Absolutely. We’re able to continue doing what we love, but with the support we need at this stage of our lives. It’s the best of both worlds.”
About Inspīr
Inspīr is a new, luxury senior living brand offering a different approach to living for discerning older adults in urban markets. The brand represents the convergence of luxury accommodations, exceptional hospitality, cutting-edge technology, whole-person wellness and world-class care. The brand’s flagship senior living residence, Inspīr Carnegie Hill, is located at 1802 Second Avenue at 93rd Street, in the heart of New York City’s Upper East Side. A second location opened earlier this year in Washington D.C.’s vibrant Dupont Circle neighborhood, open in 2025. Inspīr offers state-of-the-art assisted living, memory care and enhanced care options, with private apartments customized to fit the needs of an aging population. Inspīr is developed by Maplewood Senior Living, in partnership with Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc. (NYSE: OHI). For more information, please call 646-978-9040 or visit inspirseniorliving.com.
