Every day millions of Americans retire and look forward to reaping the rewards of all their work. Unfortunately, many find that retirement falls short of their expectations. They may feel bored, lonely, or untethered without the social network their work provided. Older people may have lost touch with friends, and their grown children live far away. Seniors can also become overwhelmed at the idea of maintaining the family homes they have owned for decades.
In many cases, planned senior communities provide answers. Recent retirees often sell large homes and move to apartments in senior communities, where they can choose from a range of activities, make friends, and pursue their favorite interests. They have easy access to nutritious food, medical care, and transportation.
1. Low-Maintenance Lifestyle
Many older people retire from the business world and look forward to a relaxing lifestyle, only to find they are busier than ever keeping up their properties. In the case of homemakers who still live in their family homes, retirement makes no difference to their workloads.
There are excellent retirement communities that provide solutions. Residents can trade their four-bedroom houses with lawns that need to be mowed for charming apartments requiring minimal upkeep. Communities typically offer 1-and 2-bedroom apartments or condominiums designed to meet changing space requirements of aging people. This allows the elderly to eliminate many burdens and reinvent themselves as they move into the next phase of life.
2. Personal Care Options
According to experts writing for Senior Lifestyle, a senior living community offers the chance to enjoy a more carefree life and still have easy access to help when needed. Communities often include amenities such as housekeeping in the cost of apartments, and residents never have to worry about mowing the lawn.
They can also arrange for help with daily living activities, if necessary. Senior communities include well-trained staff who can assist with anything from basic medication reminders to help with dressing, bathing, and eating.
3. Safety and Security
Many communities are gated, some have security staff, and most include security features like call buttons. Residents feel safe when at home and secure that their homes are protected when they travel.
4. A Healthy Lifestyle
Communities designed for seniors typically have a strong emphasis on wellness. They often provide classes that range from Yoga and Zumba to strength-training sessions.
Residents benefit from the chance to exercise every day. Most seniors feel better and stay healthier when remain stay active, and routine exercise can improve various conditions, including obesity, heart disease, memory loss, and high blood pressure.
Some common activities provided in communities include:
- Golf outings
- Walking clubs
- Group fitness classes
- Hikes in the local area
- Water aerobics and swimming
5. Access to Transportation
While most older citizens continue to drive as long as they are able, but some happily look forward to leaving the driving to others when they move into a senior community. Seniors typically have access to community buses.
Residents can take advantage of the bus service to go shopping, visit doctors, dine out, and attend events. Not only is riding the bus convenient and relaxing, but residents who choose not to keep their cars never worry about vehicle maintenance or expenses.
6. Socialization Opportunities
Human beings thrive on socialization but can lose contact with other people as they age. By the time many of the elderly retires, they may spend their days mostly alone. The National Institute of Aging reports that about 28% of older adults in the U.S. live alone.
Many are happy living by themselves and do not feel lonely-;however, those who feel lonely can develop health problems. Severe loneliness is associated with heart and memory problems, high blood pressure, and even Alzheimer’s Disease.
Moving to a senior community offers the chance for the elderly to find new friends and develop a social life that helps them begin to thrive again. Community offerings vary, but some common social opportunities include:
- Coffee meetups
- Card and game clubs
- Volunteer groups
- Morning brunches
- Happy hours
- Travel clubs
7. Sound Nutrition
Shopping and cooking can also become burdensome for seniors in retirement, especially if they no longer drive. Simply planning and preparing healthy meals may turn into a chore. Elderly people who live alone are at risk for malnutrition, which is common among those with memory issues.
Moving into a senior community can solve the problem. Communities can provide three chef-prepared meals each day and offer residents the chance to enjoy them in gracious dining areas. Seniors can eat with friends and family and turn mealtimes into interesting social gatherings.
When residents cannot eat in public dining areas, staff members ensure their meals are delivered to them. Professionals monitor seniors to ensure they are well-nourished.
8. Flexible Arrangements
Today’s senior communities offer living arrangements to suit each resident’s interests, health, and lifestyle. Newcomers can opt for anything from independent living arrangements to memory or long-term care.
Many retirees are active and healthy when they stop working and do not really want to slow down. In fact, they view their “golden years” as a time to spend time doing all the things they couldn’t when they were younger. These active people often choose independent living arrangements that provide a low-maintenance lifestyle and all the independence they want.
While many of the elderly remain active all their lives, some develop physical or memory issues. Seniors who have chosen independent living can stay in their communities but change their arrangements if they develop health problems. Many move into apartments designed to accommodate their altered lifestyle needs.
Communities offer short-term help such as skilled rehab, as well as long-term care for those with ongoing issues. Memory care professionals work with residents who have dementia. Caregivers strive to create stress-free environments for memory-loss patients and often treat them in residential settings instead of medical care facilities. Millions of new retirees now move to planned communities designed with seniors in mind. Residents can choose housing and lifestyle arrangements to suit their needs. Moving into communities provides companionship, safety, security, access to medical care, and a low-maintenance lifestyle. Residents can enjoy a wide range of activities and free transportation.
