If you’re not ready to sacrifice your Lifestyle
and don’t need medical assistance or extra support, you may not feel ready for group senior living. However, if it’s becoming increasingly difficult to keep up with
home maintenance, chores, and transportation to activities and social events,
independent living may be appealing to you. Independent living communities
cater to Aging adults who don’t require assisted living or Nursing home-level
care but are interested in a relaxing, Stress-free lifestyle.

Is moving into a group independent living home the right fit?

I understand that your family may want to encourage you to
move to group Retirement independent living programs. However, it’s essential
to acknowledge that aging in place in your own home can also be a viable option
if you prefer to age in place.

Yes, a transition to independent living can provide the
support you need to pursue passions, learn new skills, or spend quality time
with friends and the people you love. However, ageing in place allows seniors
to stay in the familiar environment of their own home, surrounded by memories
and a sense of comfort that may not be replicable in a new setting. Many
seniors have emotional attachments to their homes and neighbourhoods, making the
idea of moving unsettling. Socialization can happen outside of independent
living communities: Seniors can stay connected with friends and family, join
local clubs or organizations, and participate in community events to combat
loneliness.

Maintaining a clean and safe home can be challenging, but can become especially tiring as you age. Ask yourself the
following questions to see if independent living is a match for your lifestyle:

Are you exhausted from cleaning?

A good, reliable, and affordable cleaning service can be
hard to come by. Independent living can eliminate this burden by offering
convenient housekeeping services.

Are you worried about home emergencies or repairs?

After you’ve lived in your home for many years, maintenance
issues, such as plumbing or electrical problems, tend to occur more frequently.
Independent living offers on-site staff to make frantically searching for a
handyman a thing of the past. The staff manages everything from hard-to-reach
light bulbs to water leaks, all at no extra cost.

Does yard work feel tedious?

About 76% of Americans mow their lawn every two weeks,
according to a recent survey. Over 50 years of home ownership, this equates to
1,300 long afternoons of mowing. At independent living communities, the
maintenance staff makes sure that lawns and paths remain well-groomed.
Independent living residents can enjoy a cold beer on their lawn chair, without
any of the work.

If you enjoy particular parts of yard work, many independent
living communities encourage you to Exercise your green thumb. Many communities
feature a community garden, enabling residents to volunteer at a local
Gardening club.

On the other hand, home maintenance can be manageable, while
maintaining a home can be challenging, seniors can consider hiring a reliable
and affordable cleaning service or handyman to help with tasks they cannot
manage.  Moving to a retirement community
can come with significant financial implications, including monthly fees,
additional charges for services, and potential costs associated with selling or
Downsizing one’s home. Ageing in place can be a more cost-effective option for
seniors on fixed incomes.

Originally Published on https://boomersnotsenior.blogspot.com/

Royce Shook Blogger

I served as a teacher, a teacher on Call, a Department Head, a District Curriculum, Specialist, a Program Coordinator, and a Provincial Curriculum Coordinator over a forty year career. In addition, I was the Department Head for Curriculum and Instruction, as well as a professor both online and in person at the University of Phoenix (Canada) from 2000-2010.

I also worked with Special Needs students. I gave workshops on curriculum development and staff training before I fully retired