Why Seniors Prefer Senior Living Communities
If you haven’t visited a senior living community in a while, you may have some misconceptions — senior communities have changed significantly over the past few years.
Why Seniors Prefer Senior Living Communities Today
Senior communities range from homelike to the luxury of a high-end cruise ship or hotel, and they definitely don’t feel institutional today.
Most seniors who have moved to assisted living or independent living communities report that they prefer life at their new home to living alone.
Here are some common reasons why:
1. An End to Stressful Driving
Driving can become more stressful as we age and our driving abilities may not be what they once were either. For these reasons, most residents prefer to take advantage of the free transportation that’s provided by assisted living communities. There’s no need to rely on a car any longer, although parking is available for residents who still drive.
2. Better Food
There are many seniors who are used to living alone and may not currently be eating right. At senior living communities, residents don’t have to worry about grocery shopping or meal preparation. Instead, they get to enjoy a fine dining experience every day of the week. The food tastes good, alternative meals are almost always offered and special diet needs can ordinarily be accommodated. It’s common for new residents, who had been eating poorly before they moved, to experience improvements in their health and well-being just from three square meals per day.
3. Feeling Like Myself Again
Living alone, we may not be able to participate in activities and games we enjoyed, that were both fun and helped keep us sharp. But senior communities offer a wealth of opportunities to keep us engaged. This can include favorite games like bridge, chess and poker, engaging reading groups and fascinating classes and lectures on every conceivable topic.
4. Feeling Safe
Residents can rest easy knowing that they are secured from ne’er-do-wells. Furthermore, residents enjoy the peace of mind that comes from the emergency response systems that are in each apartment, or sometimes on the resident’s person as a pendant. This alleviates fears about falling and becoming trapped for hours or even days, a scenario that’s all too common for senior’s residing alone. Certainly, there are seniors who live alone and are just fine. We recognize that senior communities aren’t for everyone. But it’s without a doubt that there are vast numbers of seniors living alone in unsafe or unhealthy situations who would benefit immensely from life in a senior community.
5. Improved Family Relationships
Older folks frequently become dependent on their grown children, or other close family members, for help of all kinds. Unnatural role reversals can strain relationships and foster unhealthy feelings of resentment, both by parents and their children. Younger family members are liberated from the role of full-time caregivers and are able to assure that time with their older loved one is high-quality and meaningful. Older residents are glad to return to the role of family matriarch or patriarch and often pleased that their grown children no longer have to “parent the parent.”
6. New Friends
Older adults who live alone often become isolated, which is unhealthy at any age. At senior communities, we can do things like make friends and share a meal with one another. On the other hand, those of us who are more introverted appreciate that our privacy is respected, but are still glad to have folks around.
7. No Stress Home Maintenance or Yard Work
Keeping up a home is hard, especially for those of us who have developed physical ailments. Mowing the lawn, pulling weeds, vacuuming— these become things of the past. But don’t worry green thumbs — residents are more than welcome to adopt a garden.
8. Vanquishing Boredom
Residents need never be bored at a senior living community. There’s something for everyone. All kinds of activities and entertainment are offered, both on-site and in the local community. Entertainment can range from visiting musicians and performers to day trips that might include local landmarks, forays into nature or just an outing to the local art museum.
If you are interested in learning about senior communities in your area, contact A Place for Mom. Senior Living Advisors can help you find the best options for your family to consider.