4 Benefits Of A Senior Living Community
by Tony Grant
As people age, their living arrangement needs also change. While big houses with yards may have been desirable for raising families, these things often become a chore the older a person gets. Senior living often focuses more on smaller spaces with no yard work. While you can find these things in senior living communities, there are many other benefits to moving into these retirement communities. Here are a few of them.
1. Camaraderie
Your circle of friends sometimes changes as you age and your children move away from home. You often find that you are no longer a part of the group of soccer moms or the after-school pick-up crew. Even friends you form around your own interests may drift away as some of the challenges of aging sets in.
New friends are one of the things you will find in senior living communities. Because you will be living around people of a similar age, you will find people with similar interests in music, hobbies, sports, and cultural and leisure activities.
2. On-Site Activities
Have you stopped participating in activities you used to enjoy because you no longer want to or cannot drive? Many senior living communities offer numerous activities, groups, and classes on-site. Because these things occur in public spaces on-site, you can often just walk over to where they are taking place.
Some activities you may find may include:
- Music groups
- Exercise activities
- Card games
- Tabletop arts and crafts
- Book clubs
There are also many other types of social activities. If you do not find a group you are interested in, you can ask about starting one. Others in the community may want to be a part of your group.
3. Transportation
Many senior living communities allow you to bring your vehicle and continue to drive as long as you feel safe and comfortable doing so. They do not restrict your ability to come and go at will. But many communities also offer transportation or are willing to arrange transportation for you.
Most communities offer rides out for shopping, medical appointments, dining, and other leisure activities. The community may have a small charge if you are not participating in an organized group activity, but they will ensure you get to where you need to go.
4. Safety
Unfortunately, as you age, the world can become an unsafe space. You are at risk of falling or having medical emergencies in your home, and sometimes people may see you as an easy crime target. One of the most significant benefits offered by a senior living community is the safety of the community. Most communities come with many built-in safety features. Some of these include:
- Installed grip bars
- Eliminated trip hazards
- Raised toilets
- ADA doors and ramps
- Safety locks
- Community security
Some homes may also offer safety intercom or emergency call systems that will put you in touch with support staff if needed.
Contact a local senior living community to learn more.
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About Me
When you're facing putting your loved one into a nursing home or assisted living facility, you want to make the best possible choice for your loved one. That can be difficult when you don't know much about the nursing homes in your area, or about what you should be looking for in a nursing home to begin with. It's a good idea to tour as many facilities in your area as possible to get an idea of which ones you like, but you still need to know what the signs of a good or bad nursing home are. I used to work as a kitchen assistant in long term care facilities, and I learned a lot about them during that time. I started this blog to share some of my insights into what makes a nursing home great, and how to spot problems in a facility that you're considering.