A Critical Choice For Your Healthiest Future: Retirement Living Vs. Staying In Your Home
By Joseph L. Roche, Collin County LIVING WELL Magazine
Over a million people nationwide now live in life-fulfilling independent living retirement communities, according to Anthony J. Mullen, director of research for the National Investment Center for the Senior Housing and Care Industry.
What motivates people to move from their own homes into a senior living community?
The Roche Associates, Inc., a nationally recognized market research firm specializing in the senior housing industry, recently surveyed hundreds of area seniors about their thoughts on independent living retirement communities, and asked them their top reasons for considering a move.
Here’s what they found out.
Moving to A Retirement Community Can Increase Your Independence!
The typical myth when considering a move to an independent retirement community is that you could lose your independence. Interestingly enough, the area seniors surveyed by The Roche Associates indicated just the opposite.
Eighty-three percent (83%) of the seniors surveyed said that they would move to a senior living community in order to stay independent for as long as possible. This was in fact the top reason why seniors indicated that they would make a move.
Research backs this up. People who stay in their homes for too long can become dependent on family members or outside care. The risk of a fall, and suffering more severe consequences if medical care is not received immediately, are far greater when living alone in your home. The risk of not eating well, or being undernourished, is greater when cooking meals alone.
Social Connections Matter
For those who are living alone or widowed especially, there is great health risk in being too isolated. Research clearly shows that the number and quality of social connections are the best determinant of how long you will live and how healthy you will stay during your senior years. Those who are isolated are at far higher risk of suffering from depression, which can have all kinds of negative health consequences.
Those who live in senior living communities can effortlessly form new friends and connections with neighbors in the community, sharing meals and activities, while also maintaining the connections with local family and friends that they already have.
Other top reasons for a move included:
- The carefree lifestyle (52%)
- The upscale atmosphere and ambience offered (47%)
- The convenience of services like meals, transportation and housekeeping (46%)
Making Your Life Easier
Owning your own home means being responsible for all interior and exterior maintenance, including lawn care, roof repair, plumbing, heating, air conditioning and more. Many seniors indicated that one of the main reasons to move to a senior living community would be to let go of the burdens of maintaining a home, to free up time to do what they really want to do most.
Those surveyed indicated that the following services were most important to them in a senior living community:
- Sixty-two percent (62%) picked housekeeping services
- Fifty-two percent (52%) indicated that interior and exterior maintenance were important to them
- Forty-nine percent (49%) said that the 24-hour security matters
- Forty-four percent (44%) said landscaping, lawn care and other outside maintenance services
Living a Fun Carefree Lifestyle!
Without needing to worry about maintaining the interior or exterior of your home, more time is freed up to simply enjoy life, and to partake in activities you love.
Many seniors find that they can take up hobbies that they’ve wanted to pursue for years, once they are relieved of the worries and time required to maintain a large home and property. A top notch senior living community will offer all kinds of fun and interesting educational, recreational, arts and cultural activities, as well as exercise programs and outings, all designed to keep life interesting and fun.
Living A Resort Lifestyle
And, today’s senior living communities like The Tradition-Prestonwood are a far cry from the nursing homes that were predominant in earlier generations. With elegant interiors, spacious apartments, and amenities like a state-of-the-art fitness center, indoor pool, spa services, beauty salon/barber shop, movie theatre, business/computer center, library, card and game rooms, and arts and
craft center, a retirement community can offer lots of options for health, entertainment, socializing and fun all under one roof.
No need to go anywhere in inclement weather; just stroll down to the fitness center or pool; join other friends for a meal, game, or round of cards; or catch a movie!
Where you spend your senior years may determine the quality of your life and health. Choose carefully to be sure you are making the most of your precious retirement years!
Author Joseph L. Roche is a nationally known consumer advocate recognized for his work by The National Consumer Health Federation and The Wall Street Journal.
