If you are a retired individual or are considering retirement soon, you might be wondering as to exactly how you want to spend your golden years. A comparison of independent living vs. staying at home may be in your immediate future.
Do you consider yourself an active retiree? Active for one person isn’t the same as it is for another person. For some people, taking walks in the park, playing cards with friends, going on a lunch or movie date here and there, and maybe a nap in the afternoon, is active. For others, running in marathons and pumping iron are considered active.
Whatever your idea of “active” is, it’s important to enjoy life. To do that, you need to stay healthy, keep your mind sharp, socialize, exercise as much as you can, and always be looking forward to the next day.
Considering all of that, how will you best be able to enjoy the rest of your life in retirement? Looking after a house, vehicle, etc., or living luxuriously in an environment that’s like being on vacation all year round?
I Want to Stay “Home”
Staying “home” is, for many retirees, important. They have a serious misconception that an independent living community means wheelchairs, rocking chairs, boring bingo, and daily attire consisting of little more than a worn-out bathrobe. This is far from the case in today’s retirement communities!
Your new “home” will be just that. This is where you will live, decorate your residence, make friends, pursue interests, learn new things, eat well, feel safe and secure – and all the while, have a medical staff nearby should something happen.
Home is where you make it.
Reasons to Prefer Independent Living over a House
Houses come with a lot of responsibility plus property taxes. Something always needs to be repaired, walks need to be shoveled (if it snows where you’re located), leaves need to be raked, grass has to be cut, the roof needs patching, the water heater needs replacing… It’s endless. Even if you’re renting, you still have numerous expenses you face each and every day, month, annually, etc. When you reside in an independent living community, everything’s covered under one basic payment. Some people find it less expensive to live in a retirement community than to own their own home, car, etc.
Do your adult children worry about you living alone? Do you worry about living alone? If you fall in your house or apartment, how long will it be before someone comes to your aid? If you have a medical emergency, unless you already employ home care professionals, you’re on your own. How safe is your neighborhood? Can you walk to the corner without worrying? Without your kids worrying? Are you bored? Lonely?
In an independent living community, there are always medical professionals present. You can receive assistance with household maintenance and cleaning, dine on chef-prepared meals if you choose, walk the grounds safely without worry, and be surrounded by people who have many things in common with you.
Truth be told, there are more good reasons to opt for an independent living community over keeping your house than we can list here.
Turn to Us for the Best Independent Living Community
In our Independent Living community, we have caring medical professionals on-site at all times. The opportunities for socialization are many, and our dining room serves up nutritious and delicious meals three times a day. The grounds are beautiful and safe to walk, and there’s always some kind of program or event to participate in. Contact us today to find out more.
