Exploring the Benefits of Independent Living Communities
When you live in an independent community, you or your loved one will enjoy a carefree lifestyle without home maintenance tasks. Communities generally feel like college campuses and have a variety of services, dining options, exercise classes, and social activities for residents to choose from.
Residents can enjoy a lifestyle from card games to painting workshops, chef demonstrations, and holiday parties.
Convenience
Suppose you or a loved one finds it challenging to keep up with routine home maintenance like mowing the lawn and changing batteries in smoke alarms. In that case, independent living may be an innovative long-term solution. These communities free older adults from the time-consuming chores of homeownership and offer plenty of life-enriching activities to help fill the day.
Independent living communities often have set times for sit-down meals and pre-organized social gatherings, making it easier to connect with fellow residents. Quality companies typically follow state and federal training requirements for services like nursing and therapists and may also train staff on customer service, the aging process, and workplace safety. This can give family members peace of mind, knowing their loved ones are in good hands.
Health and Wellness
One of the top reasons people move to Independent Living Wichita Kansas is to gain a sense of well-being through socialization. Independent living communities offer various life-enhancing activities, from game nights to dinner parties and bus excursions.
While modern medicine defines health as the absence of disease, wellness encompasses all areas of a person’s lifestyle to achieve their full potential. This includes nutrition, exercise, relationships, spirituality, and community.
Many independent living communities also offer a concierge service to help with appointments, transportation, and grocery shopping. These conveniences help you maintain a healthy lifestyle without the stress and expense of home maintenance or errand running.
Socialization
Loneliness is a significant risk factor for seniors, especially those who live alone. Isolation can lead to a loss of purpose, contributing to mental decline. Independent living communities help combat loneliness by providing residents with a social environment to build and strengthen personal connections.
The community setting and onsite activities also make it easy for residents to socialize and discover new interests. From cooking classes to holiday parties and lecture series, there is always something to do in an independent living community.
Many independent living communities are part of a larger campus offering additional care levels, such as assisted living and skilled nursing services. This allows couples to stay together as their health needs change without moving again.
Security
Independent living communities are an excellent choice for active seniors who want to live in a secure environment and enjoy a full social calendar. Independent living is also a perfect category option for seniors considering moving into a CCRC or rental retirement community who don’t need advanced levels of assisted living or daily healthcare services.
These facilities are designed with older adults in mind, offering many amenities and services to make life easier for their residents. When choosing an independent living community, look for common areas where you can socialize and dining rooms with plenty of meal options.
Ask about the quality of the staff and their level of training. Quality companies will have staff well-versed in senior care, customer service, and other company-specific topics.
Affordability
Generally speaking, independent living communities are more affordable than owning a home and paying for a mortgage, utilities, and maintenance. And they provide built-in social activities and a range of other conveniences.
Amenities vary but often include:
- Onsite fitness centers.
- Beauty salons.
- Library and computer rooms.
- Game and theater areas.
Some offer transportation to local restaurants and other events.
Residents typically pay a monthly fee for essential maintenance and a meal plan. Some independent living communities may be part of a larger campus that offers different levels of care. Such as assisted living or memory care these are called Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC). If you or your loved one might need more support in the future. A CCRC could offer greater flexibility than an independent living community alone. Read more interesting articles on Theflipbuzz