IST 2025: More than a Boston Tea Party

Leaving the bright lights of New York City behind, we headed a few hours north-east to the Ocean State, Rhode Island. The State’s cultural and economic heart, Providence, is the historic home to some of the finest senior living communities.  

Our first stop was Wingate Residences on the East Side. With panoramic views of the Seekonk River, residents have access to the level of care they need, in a truly elegant setting. Then it was off to Brookdale Sakonnet Bay – a community which prides itself on a blend of coastal beauty and engaging activities – for a tour and lunch onsite.  

We headed a few miles north of Providence, to round out the final tour of the day at Atria Lincoln Place, a vibrant community designed for active older adults. There was some time to explore too! Day 2 in Providence provided an opportunity for our group to spend some free time in the city before leaving for Newport. We then lunched at The Carriage House at The Elms – one of New England’s most famous mansions, and took in the glorious former summer retreat of the Vanderbilt family, The Breakers.  

Sunday was spent relaxing and recharging in beautiful Boston, before catching a Boston Red Sox v New York Yankees game at the iconic Fenway Park. Because no Boston trip is complete without catching a little baseball!  It was back to business, for a Monday centred around innovation and community in ageing. First stop was Newbridge on the Charles, a pioneering intergenerational campus on a sprawling 162-acres. Next, we visited Opus Newton, to learn about their unique middle-income senior housing offering. This proposition caters for the “Forgotten Middle” in America’s senior housing market — those who don’t qualify for government support programs, but without the financial resources to cover most private pay senior living options. We finished the formalities of the day with afternoon tea at Beacon Hill Village, which is known for their trailblazing ‘ageing in place’ program. And that’s a wrap on our time on the East Coast. Next stop, all the way cross-country to Seattle!