It’s common for people nearing retirement or already retired to believe the best place to live is in their home, but that may not always be the case. Although there was a time when retirement meant slowing down, seniors today are looking for more from this time in life like opportunities to stay active, socialize, and have fun with fewer responsibilities vying for their attention. As such, the realities of life at home may not be what you expect (or ultimately want out of retirement). Here’s what to consider.
Assessing Living at Home in Retirement
Let’s start by assessing your current situation at home in terms of your needs and wants for retirement right now, as well as in the future. Consider these questions.
| Yes | No |
Are you tired of these daily responsibilities? |
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Meal preparation |
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Housecleaning |
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Laundry |
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Yard work |
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Home maintenance |
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Transportation |
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Do you require daily assistance in these personal care areas? |
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Bathing/showering |
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Daily grooming |
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Dressing |
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Medication reminders |
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Medication administration |
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Would you like to have more time and/or access to these activities? |
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Spending time with friends |
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Spending time with family |
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Attending religious services |
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Participating in favorite hobbies |
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Shopping and dining out |
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Attending cultural events |
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Artistic pursuits |
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Lifelong learning |
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Volunteering |
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Fitness classes, swimming, and/or a gym |
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Spending time outdoors |
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Comparing Your Options in Retirement
If you’ve answered mostly ‘yes’ to these questions, then you’ll next want to consider whether or not these needs and wants can realistically be achieved at home. Or if an option such as senior living may be better able to deliver on your expectations for retirement. To help, here are some areas in which senior living can offer you more in retirement.
- More Freedom – In senior living, home maintenance, weekly housekeeping and linens, as well as restaurant-style dining and transportation are provided for you, so you’ll no longer have the burdens of home ownership and chores weighing on your shoulders.
- More Connection – It’s so much easier to stay connected in senior living because we offer a full calendar of activities, clubs, and outings from which to choose. Not to mention plenty of beautiful common areas in which to socialize and/or host family and friends. You don’t have to do anything other than enjoy the options available to you!
- More Purpose – At home, it can be hard to find purpose in retirement, but senior living offers a range of options to keep you engaged through educational and enrichment programs, as well as opportunities to volunteer, continue hobbies, and find new pursuits.
- More Convenience – This is one of the biggest draws to senior living as communities like ours offer amenities like dining venues that include a bistro, pub and restaurant, hair salon/barbershop, concierge services, pool, library, dog park, and walking trails on beautiful grounds. While you may have some of these options in your neighborhood at home or nearby, it’s rare to find them all right outside your door as in senior living.
- More Focus on Healthy Aging – Our senior living communities also focus on healthy aging with wellness services, a state-of-the-art fitness center, yoga, and tai chi classes, onsite spa and salon experiences; even chef-created menus that use fresh, locally-grown ingredients for meals that are nutritious and delicious! This makes it much easier to stay healthy and active.
- More Peace of Mind – Senior living communities often have multiple living options on the same campus including: active adult living, independent living, assisted living, and memory care. This provides peace of mind that your needs will always be met regardless of how your health may change during retirement, not to mention an easier transition since you’ll be able to remain in familiar surroundings and maintain continuity in care. Plus, our communities are designed with accessibility features, and emergency response systems which are often extra expenses at home.
For more information, download our Complete Guide to Choosing Between Senior Living Options. Or, contact us today to schedule your virtual tour!