Independent Living Communities A Place Called Home

Independent Living Communities A Place Called Home

So you’re thinking it’s time to look into Independent Living options. This can be both an exciting and maybe even overwhelming time for you! On one hand the anticipation of finding your next home can be rewarding, but then there’s the flip side to this. You begin asking yourself these questions: Where do I begin? How do I know where to start? What do I do with all my furniture? How do I get my house listed? This can seem like a daunting experience that honestly has many seniors thinking that it just isn’t worth the effort. Well we are going to talk about some benefits associated with Independent Living communities as well as how to make that transition less stressful.

So what is Independent Living? Independent Living is exactly what it sounds like. Residents who live in these communities are typically high functioning and require little or no assistance with their Activities of Daily Living (ADL’s). ADL’s include bathing, toileting, transferring, and eating. Now it is possible to live in an Independent Living community and get some assistance with your ADL’s from a 3rd party company which specializes in companion and personal care. Some communities have in house providers while others have a list of companies that they can put you in touch with. Directors who work at Independent Living communities can be a huge source of information for you. They work with local real estate agents, moving companies, and even local contractors who can get your house back in tip top shape and ready to go on the market.

So how do you know if Independent Living is right for you? Let’s start by asking a few questions. Are you tired of all of the upkeep associated with your home such as maintenance, cutting the grass, weed eating, edging, and keeping all those flower beds looking good? Have you recently lost your spouse, or do you live alone? Could you benefit from the social activities that the communities have? How would you like to have all of your meals and snacks prepared for you daily by an in-house chef? If you answered yes to any of these questions then it sounds like you’re a great candidate for an Independent Living community. Let’s stand take a look at some of the questions we just asked and talk about the benefits of them. Those pesky home maintenance issues go away because the community has a full time staff on board to address any issues you might have. There’s no worrying about the yard and landscaping because there’s someone to do that for you. No more overdoing it in the heat of summer! So let’s talk about the benefits of living in a place where you will have so many new neighbors and activities to enjoy! Studies have shown that isolation can be a terrible thing for seniors as they decline rapidly both physically and cognitively. Some seniors do not have a support system in place to take them on simple outings and they may not be able to drive themselves. The in-house activities provided as well as the off campus adventures can be a huge deal for residents being able to be more social and the interaction with their new neighbors has so many positive effects. Some communities have access to swimming pools for exercising while some even have their own pool. Now let’s talk about the food! Imagine 5 star dining where every meal is an event. Breakfast, lunch and dinner served by wait staff who take care of your every need. You’re probably asking, ‘But why I would want to do this?” Because you’ve earned it that’s why!

The other reasons are simply because of the benefits of all the things they have to offer. The social interactions at events are vital for good health. The chef prepared meals meet the nutritional needs you require so you remain stronger and healthier. You are in a place where you friends know when you maybe not be feeling so well and are able to keep an eye on you. They know if you don’t show up for any of the meals that they should go check on you.

There really are so many different reasons to benefit from being a part of a community. One of the biggest questions is how much does it cost? The answer can vary greatly depending on the amenities, location, and vacancies (sometimes they offer move-in specials based on occupancy). Remember that sometimes communities have some room to work with you on pricing so don’t be afraid to try to get your best deal! One other thing to consider when looking at pricing is that if you are a veteran and meet certain criteria, you may qualify for a program called Aid And Attendance that may help cover some of you monthly fees.

Before you make any decisions on communities, take several tours of the communities you’re interested in and narrow your search down to your top two to three. Show up to these communities unannounced, so you get an idea of what things are like when they aren’t expecting you. This is a big decision, but remember that the directors will be glad to help you in any way they can to get you settled into your new home.