Independent living is an excellent alternative for seniors who want the freedom to do as they please without all the responsibilities of home maintenance. It’s also the perfect place for seniors to age in place, because all the resources they may need as they age are readily available when the time comes. For seniors who are considering a move to an independent living community, here are five reasons it’s a great idea!
Seniors who stay in the family home realize over time that the upkeep and maintenance required is taking a big bite out of their time and their pocketbook. In an independent living community, seniors can choose from a variety of housing options designed just for independent seniors. For example, they may want to rent a maintenance-free villa, a perfect choice for many seniors, especially those who spend winter in the south and don’t want to worry that their home is cared for. This option also provides amenities like a fitness club and on-campus dining choices, to name a few.
For seniors who prefer to own their home, condominiums — either stand-alone or attached — offer a variety of optional services like grocery delivery, housekeeping, dining, and an on-site pharmacy and fitness club. Either way, seniors can finally experience true independence and the retirement life they worked so hard to earn.
Many seniors who move to independent living prefer the more communal lifestyle of apartment living, which keeps them entertained and helps to ward off isolation. Independent living apartments offer everything from a 24-hour emergency call system to tons of storage to fine dining options. Seniors also have the ability to opt for assistance with dressing and personal hygiene (aka activities of daily living), medication management, housekeeping, transportation, a fitness club, and on-site health services. Best of all they are part of a community of friends and can relax and enjoy all the benefits independent living has to offer.
Often seniors living alone at home find themselves with too much time and not enough fun to fill it. In independent living, seniors can make their own plans or join in the many planned events and activities all designed with seniors in mind. Although the COVID-19 pandemic has slowed group activities to a degree, normal fun activities might include visits to local museums, festivals and other venues, as well as games like bingo, cards and board games. Residents can also look forward to on-site visits from local musicians and great movies for all to enjoy. For a look at some of the day-to-day happenings at Ganton’s Countryside, check out our Facebook page.
One of the best attributes of independent living communities is that there are so many people in the same age group with similar life experiences. For seniors living at home, this isn’t always true since many seniors watch as their neighbors move to senior living or to new communities to be near family. While it’s wonderful to have friends of all ages, living near other seniors means there are more opportunities to share interests, memories and time together. Having senior friends close by also means less chance for isolation and more chance for great new experiences.
In fact, the benefits of making and maintaining precious social connections are not to be taken lightly. Banishing isolation can help ease or eliminate depression, and friends can also be there when needed to provide mental and emotional support during hard times. And loneliness is also known to be a risk factor for actual health problems like high blood pressure, dementia, heart disease, and stroke. Learn more about how isolation can negatively impact the lives of seniors in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s article, “Loneliness and Social Isolation Linked to Serious Health Conditions.”
Looking back at the past several months of the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s easy to see how much senior living communities have gained in knowledge and expertise when it comes to facing emergency situations that threaten everyone, but especially seniors. From day one of the lockdown, senior living professionals went the extra mile to protect residents, meet or exceed the ever-changing guidance from health experts, and establish strict protocols for safety and security.
Looking forward, all that hard work now allows seniors in independent living to know their senior community leaders have the experience and fortitude to make the right decisions and institute the right policies to protect their residents, should the need arise again. And it can all occur almost instantly since the pandemic provided a roadmap that is tried and true. Take a look at how Ganton’s Countryside rallied to preserve and protect the health of our residents during COVID-19.
Life in independent living at Ganton’s Countryside is a great choice for seniors who want to get the most out of their retirement years. For more information about Countryside, please call Margaret Nagel at (517) 206-5000 or download our brochure to learn about our care levels, cost, and amenities.