Dear Donna:
I’m writing in hopes that you can answer a few questions for me. I’ve been living alone the past three years since my husband lost his battle with cancer. We had purchased a condo about two years before he got sick, and it’s been an easy place to maintain by myself. However, I’m ready for a change.
Many of my friends have passed away or moved to be closer to their children, so my social circle has decreased. While both of my kids are great about checking in on me and helping when I need them, I don’t want to be a burden.
I’ve been seeing ads for independent living communities, and it sounds like they might be a good option for me. However, I want to make sure I’m on the right track before I make any major life changes. Can you tell me how a single woman might benefit from moving to one of these communities? Any insight would be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Barb in Omena, MI
Understanding the Benefits of Independent Living
Dear Barb:
It sounds like you are on the right track! I’m happy to share some of the ways independent living communities benefit active older adults. They include:
- A variety of different services
Independent living communities offer a wide range of services designed to make it easier for you to live a more independent, carefree lifestyle. These vary from one community to another, but often include housekeeping/laundry, meal plans, transportation services, and access to fitness facilities and daily life enrichment activities. Residents also leave worries about lawn care and maintenance behind when they move.
- Access to more care if it’s needed
Your move may also take care of your future needs. For example, some independent living communities are part of a campus that includes assisted living and/or dementia care. If your need for care and support changes down the road, you’ll be able to remain part of the same community.
- Around-the-clock safety and security
Independent living communities offer a safe and secure living environment. In addition to on-site staff around the clock, most individual apartments or suites have emergency call systems. This can give seniors and their loved ones greater peace of mind.
- Flexible, maintenance-free living
Residents usually have a choice of floor plans, and some communities even offer different housing options for independent living. For example, it might be a stand-alone villa, an apartment, or a suite. What they all have in common is maintenance-free living. By moving to an independent living community, you’ll leave behind worries about furnace repair or tracking down a trustworthy contractor to install a new roof. That’s in addition to not having to concern yourself with lawn care or snow removal.
- Formal and informal ways to socialize
Independent living offers a variety of opportunities for socializing, entertainment, and fun. This is often one of the primary reasons older adults make this type of move. Each community has a calendar of daily activities for residents to enjoy. They typically range from fitness classes and movie nights to outings to a local mall or museum. On an informal basis, you’ll find residents enjoying a cup of coffee together in the lounge in the morning or working on a volunteer project together for a local nonprofit organization.
I hope this gives you a better idea about what a day as a resident of an independent living community looks like, Barb!
Please call a Heritage Senior Living community near you to schedule a tour at your earliest convenience. One of our experienced team members will be happy to show you around and answer any questions you have about independent living.
Kind regards,
Donna