Are you searching for an enriched, yet easier life for you or a loved one? Perhaps a helping hand with daily tasks? Or access to activities and time spent with friends to lower the risk of social isolation?
While there can be challenges in life as we grow older, many families also contemplate which option would best provide the highest quality of life – staying at home versus moving into a senior living community.
Downsizing to Senior Living: 7 Benefits
If you’re unfamiliar with all the advantages that a community has to offer, consider the following features and compare the choices when remaining at home or downsizing to senior living:
Benefit #1: The ease and safety of an accessible home
Most houses in the U.S. were not designed with aging in mind. If you or a loved one has been navigating steps and stairs or bathrooms not equipped for safety, a renovation may be required. Unfortunately, it can be expensive to create an age-friendly home.
If you downsize to senior living, you’ll enjoy a move-in ready home that provides accessibility and can be personalized to make your own. You’ll discover support for your new lifestyle and appreciate feeling safe and secure.
Benefit #2: A helping hand when needed
As we grow older, we might need help with bathing, grooming or preparing meals. We may no longer drive and must rely on others for rides. Are there family members or friends who can assist with these daily tasks? If not, you may need to employ a home care agency to provide services.
If you downsize to senior living, however, you’ll have access to a well-trained and professional staff that are available 24/7 to provide assistance when needed. Residents enjoy the independence of not having to depend on family and friends for care.
Benefit #3: Opportunities to make new friends
One of the realities of growing older is the loss of companions and loved ones. At the same time, it often becomes more difficult to meet new people and make friends. Feelings of loneliness and the risk of social isolation can increase – both of which are damaging to health.
You’ll discover making new friends has never been easier if you downsize to senior living. With the many activities and social events, you’ll quickly and naturally get to know your neighbors and other residents and begin forming lifelong relationships.
Download our complimentary Successful Transitions guide to learn more about making the move to senior living.
Benefit #4: Choice of activities and social events
One of the disadvantages of remaining at home is the difficulty in participating in activities and social events once enjoyed. It can become more of a challenge to find options that interest you, or if you’re no longer driving, joining with others may not be possible.
If you downsize to senior living, those barriers disappear. Communities offer monthly calendars of activities with a wide variety of choices. Residents quickly discover how easy it is to find possibilities that match well with their preferences.
Benefit #5: Healthy dining programs
Eating well is essential to aging well but planning, shopping for nutritious ingredients and cooking healthy meals can become more of a challenge. If you remain at home, you may need to include additional home-care hours for meal preparation or contract with a food delivery program.
Imagine having the daily options of choosing from a menu of chef-prepared meals to share with friends at mealtimes. This is a reality if you downsize to a senior living community. Any dietary restrictions can also be accommodated, and you’ll appreciate knowing you’ll not only eat well – but enjoy every bite.
Benefit #6: Support to achieve wellness goals
Although adults often become more sedentary as they grow older, it’s vital to continue staying both physically and emotionally fit. If you live at home, however, you may not have access to a gym or classes and find it more difficult to stay motivated.
If you downsize to senior living, you’ll discover opportunities steps from your door. Communities typically offer fitness centers, classes or other fun activities to support their residents to remain fit and meet their wellness goals.
Benefit #7: Scheduled transportation
For many, no longer driving represents a loss of freedom and independence. Older adults may either find themselves sitting at home or having to rely on family or friends to provide rides. If living in a rural or small town, few alternative options may be available, leading to social isolation.
Communities offer scheduled transportation. If you decide to downsize to senior living, you won’t need to depend on others for a ride. You’ll be able to attend your medical appointments, go shopping with friends or join the other residents in entertainment and social events.
The Charleston Senior Living Community
Locally owned and operated, we offer personalized care by our dedicated team members. Setting a new standard in Assisted Living and Memory Care, we don’t define our residents by their limitations or illness but instead believe in focusing on the positive and the possibility.
The Charleston Senior Community includes private apartments for assisted living residents and for those living with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Your loved ones will benefit from our attention to detail, routine health assessments, delicious dining and daily activity programs as we support everyone to live their best life.
Consider a few of our amenities:
- Chef-led dining program
- Community movie theater
- Salon
- Ballroom
- Live entertainment
- Outdoor patio
- Social lounges
- Housekeeping
If you or your family is thinking about Assisted living or Memory care, we hope you will consider The Charleston Senior Community. We are a trusted resource and are here to answer any questions, contact us today.
We also invite you to download our complimentary Successful Transitions guide to learn more about making the move to senior living.
