Publication : Hometown News
Article Published: Friday, April 10, 2026
ROCKLEDGE — There’s no doubt why the Space Coast attracts residents year by year – its proximity to Orlando, the beaches, the ability to step outside and watch a rocket launch, plus the favorable weather all year, make it an ideal destination for retirees and families alike. Choosing the right place to live, however, can be tricky, which is why senior resource center One Senior Place will host an event to showcase 16 different senior communities. Seniors can learn more at “A Taste of Senior Living” from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, April 17 at the Center for Collaboration at Space Coast Health Foundation, 1100 Rockledge Blvd., Rockledge.
“A Taste of Senior Living” goes beyond community representatives – there will also be a cooking competition! Chefs from several senior communities will create a broad selection of appetizers and dessert samples for attendees to vote on. “I’ll be honest: food matters – a lot,” said One Senior Place Director Angelina Higgins. “It’s part of the unique lifestyle that each community can offer. Many of the communities have very gifted culinary teams. This event gives people a chance to actually taste the food produced by a community’s chef. Sometimes it’s the deciding factor in a senior’s move.” Communities will be represented from Palm Bay Memory Care to Zon Beachside, Melbourne and Viera, all the way up to Royal Oaks in Titusville.
Higgins shared that Brevard County continues to be a great draw for seniors, which makes up 25% of its population. Areas such as Viera, Suntree, and Melbourne continue to largely appeal to retirees. “It’s really a mix of convenience, lifestyle, and being close to doctors and family,” Higgins said. “People want easy and comfortable.” Higgins knows that choosing a destination can be overwhelming, which is why it’s important to her that seniors and their families take advantage of speaking with the community representatives at this event.
As seniors evaluate where to live, a few factors that tend to influence their decision include cost, level of care, and lifestyle. Higgins suggests that seniors consider asking these four questions at the event to help them narrow down their choices: “Ask what the cost really includes, what happens if care needs change, and what day to day life looks like. And always ask about availability.” Online RSVPs are encouraged for food planning purposes by visiting OneSeniorPlace.com. For more information, call 321-751-6771.
PHOTO (attached) – A Taste of Senior Living attendees on April 17 in Rockledge can sample chef-prepared foods, enter drawings and compare senior communities.
EVENT PAGE: https://oneseniorplace.com/osp-events/a-taste-of-senior-living-chef-competition-senior-living-options-day/
