As people age, their lifestyles change. Living on their own can be dangerous or even unhealthy for seniors. That’s why some seniors are moving into retirement communities nearby to have the social interaction they want without having to worry about any of the upkeep that comes with living on your own. Moving into a retirement community gives people their old lifestyle back, but with a new added friend – the social director at the nursing home where you live.
If you are considering moving into a retirement community, what are some of the pros and cons? A retirement home is not just somewhere to live, it’s an active part of your life that you should think about. It can be an expensive move; every choice has its price. On the plus side, there are many benefits to living in a retirement community:
Social Interaction – Everyone likes to be around others and seniors are no exception. A retirement community can keep you social and interesting. You can interact with the other people who live around you, or join a club or an activity that you’re interested in.
Lifestyle – If you want to keep your current lifestyle and location, but just want new neighbors, then this is perfect for you. You’ll never have to move, but you can still get to know new people as your neighbors.
Home Security – Retirement communities come with a lot of added security and safety features that you won’t find in most homes. Most retirement homes are close to police stations, fire departments and hospitals if the need arises. You never have to worry about being too far away from help if it is needed.
Personal Care – Retirement communities offer all kinds of health care and personal assistance, which can help seniors get around without having to hire outside help. You might not have to worry about taking care of your own health. This is great if you need help getting around or if you’re too weak or sick to do it yourself.
Fun – If you’re not ready to give up your current way of life, but you want more social interaction and more home security, a retirement community can provide that for you. Senior’s clubs and activities are available in most communities. You can join groups like book clubs, chess clubs and bingo games. Just about anything that interests you will be available to you at some point.
Your Own Space – Retirement communities are a little bit like college dorms or apartments. They are smaller, but don’t have to be. You can have the space you need for a home office, or a couple of bedrooms if that is what you need to get by until you find another place to live.
Investment – As you live in retirement communities, your home value can go up over time. This is good for your pocketbook and the true value of the property. Most retirement communities will have working board members who oversee your living environment and make any changes that are needed to make things run more efficiently.
Long Term Stay – Many retirement communities have long-term leases in place, which can mean many years of occupancy time if you are happy with it. Those who always wanted a home closer to family or friends will find this perfect.
Friendly Environment – Retirement communities tend to be happy, friendly places to live. It is a great environment for seniors.
Convenient Location – Most retirement communities are close to shopping and other businesses, making it easy for you to get around. You won’t have to worry about getting into your car and driving long distances if you need something from the store or if you want to go out for the day.
A Place to Call Home – Retirement communities are a home. They offer all of the comforts you need, but they also offer peace of mind, falling in line with the things you learned and experienced in your 30s and 40s. There are no more worries about paying bills, or worrying that your car will break down or not start when you need it most.
Physical Exercise – Many retirement communities have excellent gym facilities and even group exercise classes that allow older adults to stay active and healthy. This benefits their health by getting them moving, instead of sitting around all day. They may also have community exercise classes that can get you back in shape for when you move out, or just to help with the feeling of being active.
The Social Scene – This is where you still have family and friends, but they are your peer group. You’re not at school with them or working with them, but you will be living with these people around your age and that can be a great way to get to know them again.
There are many benefits to retirement communities. You can go from one house to another and keep your current lifestyle. You can save money by not having to pay a real estate agent, move or pay for a new place. You can also let family and friends visit when they want while you still enjoy the comforts of home as long as you want.
The best part about retirement communities is no matter how much your health may change, these communities will help take care of you until the very end.