Over the years, adult children will move out of the home and older adults may find themselves ready to downsize. There are many reasons for downsizing, including unused space, wanting to cut down on finances, mobility issues, and more. Regardless of the reason, if you are healthy and lead a relatively active lifestyle, you might be considering moving to an independent living community. Independent living, as its name suggests, allows residents to maintain their freedom and independence, while at the same time, providing them assistance whenever necessary. To find out when is the right time to move to an independent living community, continue reading.
Expanding Social Circle
For many older adults, they might lose friends and have a decreasing social circle over the years. Whether their friends have passed away or moved to another state, a loss of social connections can be particularly damaging to an individual’s mental and physical health. Therefore, if you are looking to expand your social circle and meet new people, you can do so in an independent living community. Here, a wide range of activities and events provide opportunities for residents to mingle around and establish meaningful connections with each other.
Easier Access to Sports and Activities
If you live in an area where there are not many amenities, you can find it challenging to take part in your favorite activities and sports. This can prevent you from leading the lifestyle you desire. In an independent living community, this will no longer be an issue as you now have access to a variety of amenities and lifestyle programs, such as fitness features and clubs. Residents in an independent living community are granted the freedom to curate and plan their very own schedules, so each day is filled with something exciting to look forward to.
Keeping in Shape
It should come as no surprise that staying active is an effective way for older adults to maintain their independence and prevent a decline in health. According to many studies, exercises help to decrease the likelihood of health conditions like dementia, heart disease, and diabetes, as well as ensuring a healthy weight. However, some individuals may feel unmotivated to lead an active lifestyle, which is where an independent living community comes in. With access to a wide range of amenities and being surrounded by friends, residents will no doubt feel motivated to wake up each day and partake in an activity.
Decrease in Expenses
Considering that you no longer own a home after moving into a retirement community, you are not burdened with expenses and bills, such as property taxes, home insurance, or home repairs. This helps relieve you from financial strain, thus allowing you to save up and use the extra savings to maintain your lifestyle. What’s more, many independent living communities consolidate their expenses into one monthly cost, which covers rent, utilities, and entertainment. Therefore, for individuals looking for a low-maintenance lifestyle that does not break the bank, opting for an independent living community is a good idea.
