Savvy adults who are looking toward retirement are finding that staying in the same home with the same household responsibilities is not necessarily the best way to secure a future full of vibrant travel, new opportunities, and staying engaged with friends. Instead, many adults are realizing the benefits of independent living communities, where they can say goodbye to tasks like lawn maintenance and snow removal and instead say hello to more time to pursue the hobbies and passions they already love.
Of course, there is so much more to independent living than the low-maintenance, convenient lifestyle. Adults thrive in these busy communities alongside like-minded and encouraging neighbors thanks to luxury amenities, wellness resources, and new opportunities to connect with others.
Wondering if the independent living benefits can enhance your already lively lifestyle? Chances are, they can.
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Engaging Days
Residents of independent living communities didn’t necessarily move there because they were bored at home. Rather, they moved to independent living to take advantage of the opportunities, services, and amenities that enhance their preferred lifestyle.
For many adults, life in an independent living community means engaging, exciting, and full days. Residents can spend their days however they want to, whether that means taking classes at a local college or university, visiting local places of interest, or even learning a new language. There are cooking classes, gardening groups, and opportunities to get into community leadership to make positive changes around campus and throughout the greater city. Residents can participate in yoga classes and birding clubs, and they can even volunteer at local organizations.
Moving to independent living means there is always something to do or somewhere to go, should you choose to do so. You make the call.
Friendly Neighbors
If the pandemic taught us anything, it is that isolation can take a toll on anyone living alone at home. Research has shown that loneliness can lead older adults to be more depressed and can even speed up the progression of dementia. In fact, perceived loneliness has been linked to a variety of health challenges, including high blood pressure, heart disease, depression, anxiety, weakened immune response, and even death.
Even the most active adults find themselves with smaller social circles and less full social calendars as they age. Fortunately, life in a senior living community is never lonely. With friendly faces and neighbors just steps down the hall, residents have a chance to actively build a support system of peers. New friends with different interests and hobbies might even inspire you to try something new.
Lasting friendships and relationships with peers can decrease feelings of loneliness and depression. Healthy socialization habits get residents out of their apartments and into meaningful conversations within their senior community, fostering feelings of connection and support.
Opportunities for Wellness
A trend among older adults, especially those in the Boomer generation, is the desire to be more proactive with their health choices. They want to stay as healthy as possible for as long as possible, even in the face of chronic conditions like diabetes. One of the many benefits of independent living is the support residents receive with their wellness goals.
Many services and amenities — such as on-site fitness centers, swimming pools, and access to personal trainers, nurses, and other clinicians who can answer questions or provide guidance — are designed to create a community culture of health and holistic wellness. Residents get to choose which services or amenities to take advantage of, and they are more likely to take a group fitness class, stroll the grounds, or try a new vegetarian dish if they are surrounded by neighbors who are doing the same.
Speaking of healthy eating, independent living makes it even easier thanks to chef-prepared meals served among friends in the community’s restaurant. Wellness never tasted so good!
Fewer Responsibilities
Finally, independent living community residents get the benefit of fewer household responsibilities thanks to maintenance-free living. Without worrying about shoveling the sidewalk after a snowstorm, mowing the yard, deep-cleaning the home, or even doing the laundry, residents are free to focus on pursuing a life that is full of things they love. Senior living communities feature housekeeping, laundry, dining, and maintenance services, all meant to allow residents to make their days their own.
It’s amazing to see how much time you can get back when you put down the broom and step away from the lawnmower. You can choose how to use that extra time and energy, perhaps choosing to pick up a new hobby, a new travel itinerary, or even a new language. It’s all up to you.
Independent living communities are the best choice for healthy aging not only because of the access to medical assistance but also because of the opportunities for engagement and socialization, as well as for the active lifestyle focused on wellness.
Getting Started
Moving to an independent living community is a wise decision that many older adults are making even before they fully retire from the workplace. Maintenance-free living, amenities and services designed to enhance wellness, and new opportunities to make friends ... it’s simply too good to resist.
Even with all the obvious benefits, moving to an independent living community is still a major life change. It’s okay if you feel a mix of excitement and anxiety, as the process is often full of emotions. We’re here to help. Learn more about how to make a transition to independent living a successful one by watching our free webinar, Senior Living LIVE! How to Manage the Process of Senior Living.
