“Home is where the heart is.”

You have undoubtedly heard this timeless sentiment, and while its origins remain murky, the truth it conveys has struck a chord with countless generations. In its simplicity lies great wisdom. Home is where we create memories, share space with loved ones, invite friends, and hang our hats at the end of a long day. Simply hearing the word “home” likely conjures fond memories both new and old.

Perhaps the most important element of the above quote is that home is not necessarily a tangible location, but rather a reality that we ascribe based on certain factors. This is important to remember before and during one’s transition into a senior living community. Often, when our aging loved ones first face the proposition of such a transition, they are resistant. They do not like the idea of leaving their current house or apartment to start a new chapter in an unfamiliar setting. It may comfort them, then, to know just how many people are thriving in this new chapter.

People have many assumptions about senior living, assumptions which often turn out to be inaccurate. Millions of Americans have found that a new chapter in a senior living community has been to their benefit and helped them understand the true meaning of the word “home.” What’s more, many of them likely had difficulty letting go of their previous living situations before finding the reality of senior living to be much different than what they had envisioned.

Below are just a few of the many advantages the right senior living community has over life alone in an empty house:

  • Freedom from home maintenance and bothersome chores
  • Housekeeping
  • Delicious dining options
  • A community of friends and neighbors within walking distance
  • Transportation to appointments and activities
  • A beautiful, walkable campus
  • Amenities like fitness centers
  • Multiple levels of care to accommodate changing needs
  • Included utilities like fitness centers and beauty shops
  • And so much more!

Oftentimes, by no fault of their own, people get stuck in a certain way of thinking when they try to imagine what “home” can mean. They can miss the forest for the trees and fail to see all of the possibilities that abound outside of their everyday lived experience. Fortunately, learning more about potential living options and lifestyles, such as those available in a senior living community, can plant a seed of hope. It can show them that a new home and a new chapter in life can make life better than ever! If senior living is on the horizon for your loved one, or you are exploring options for yourself, it is important to keep this lesson in mind.

If you would like to learn more about an Ontario Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) that is more than just a place to live, contact Inland Christian Home. Call us today at (909) 983-0084 or reach us online.