You may be retired, but that doesn't mean you're ready to spend your days in the house watching daytime TV. There are people to meet and hobbies to try. That's why independent living is the perfect senior living solution for many retirees - it's the fun part of retiring but without the hassle.
Read on as we examine what independent living for seniors means and whether it's the right choice for you.
You'll see many terms when searching senior living communities, so it's essential to have a clear understanding of what these phrases mean and, in this case, what independent living means.
Independent living is for those seniors who want to maintain an active and self-sufficient retirement but would benefit from some assistance now and again. That might help to offer convenience, like housekeeping or meal planning.
Independent living also means being part of a community. Outside your private apartment, you'll be part of a vibrant social setting with communal spaces as well as a full calendar of events, activities, and workshops.
Is independent living right for you or your loved one? Let's examine some of the main benefits.
In retirement, you want the time to relax and enjoy yourself, not spend your day on chores, as you might if aging in place at home. Independent living offers that perfect balance. You have teams who can take care of all the troublesome tasks like housekeeping and upkeeping, leaving you more time to do the things you love.
In an independent living community, you'll have access to a list of daily social activities. You can get involved in many or just one or two, depending on your preferences.
There is a wide range of activities, so there will always be something that's a good match. It's the perfect way to combat the risk of loneliness and isolation in old age.
Community is also part of how we design our buildings, such as offering communal lounges, dining areas, and outdoor spaces, offering residents ample opportunity to socialize.
Independent living communities like our Sun City Center retirement community also provide our residents with convenient services that make life easier. Our concierge service, for example, can help you send flowers to a friend or arrange tickets to a new theater show.
Environments like ours are designed with safety in mind. Buildings are more than just tasteful interiors. They are also accessible, easy to navigate, and well-lit.
Independent living is a specific type of senior support, and while it's the right choice for some, that's not always the case. Independent living is best suited to retirees who are still active in old age and manage daily tasks without any extra assistance.
Nevertheless, it's an environment there for those who appreciate the balance of a maintenance-free lifestyle and having teams on hand to take on tasks like cooking and cleaning. Independent living is also perfect for those who thrive in a social setting and want their daily routine to be active and varied.
For those who have daily support needs, like dressing or washing, assisted living is a better choice. Likewise, those with cognitive diagnoses like Alzheimer's and dementia may be better suited to memory care.
One of the features of the best independent living communities is access to health and wellness programs. This could be a range of activities and services designed to help you stay in top health in your senior years, such as:
It's about creating a holistic approach to health and wellness by making it part of everything the community has to offer. That also includes spiritual health and emotional health, which might be something as simple as meeting with a friend for lunch when you are feeling lonely.
Good health in senior years is priceless. It helps maintain energy levels, keeps the body in good shape, and fights off the risk of chronic diseases.
Health and wellness in an independent living community is also about what you eat. At our community, for example, you'll enjoy access to our beautiful communal dining area and a wide range of delicious food cooked by our expert chef team.
Meal planning means carefully thinking about the nutritional content to ensure it's optimum for seniors' health, as well as adapting them to suit varied personal needs, like diabetic-friendly menus.
For residents, it means enjoying delicious, hot food with friends, but without the hassle of buying, prepping, and cooking meals. It leaves you more time to enjoy the many fun activities and social events on offer instead.
You should always take the time to research your options before shortlisting independent senior communities because it's a big decision, and you want one that fits your needs.
Start by thinking about your personal preferences and senior housing budget. Write down your priorities, such as amenities that are must-haves for your lifestyle. Maybe you are someone who likes to go to the gym every day, in which case you want a community with a fitness center.
You should also consider the location. You may want one that's an easy traveling distance for friends and family, for example.
Always visit the communities in person before making a final choice. This will give you the time to talk to staff, get a feel for the atmosphere, and see if it lives up to your expectations.
Retiring should be a prospect that fills you with excitement, and a senior living community should offer the same. If you want to embrace an active, social, and vibrant lifestyle in old age, independent living for seniors could be the answer.
Why not take the next step and schedule a tour of our fantastic community at Aston Gardens at Sun City Center? With specialists, friendly staff, and ample amenities, independent living at Sun City Center, FL, will feel like home from the moment you arrive.