Independent living offers a lifestyle of autonomy, comfort, and convenience. According to A Place for Mom, “Senior independent living [communities] provide a variety of convenient services and amenities, including prepared meals, transportation, social activities, and housekeeping.” This option should not be confused with assisted living, which has many of the same offerings but also entails care and support with activities of daily living (ADLs) like grooming, bathing, and eating. Independent living does not offer this kind of care.
Independent living at the right community fosters a vibrant, active, and exciting daily experience. It is also important to note that many independent living programs are available to adults 55 and older. Some people are surprised by this fact, as people often associate moving to a community campus at a more advanced age. This then begs the question, “When is the right time for independent living?” Below are a few indications that it might be time to explore this option.
You Would Like More “You” Time
If you have recently retired, or are nearing retirement age, you deserve to enjoy taking more time to pursue the things you love. However, the routine of daily chores and the demands of homeownership can eat away at this time. Independent living will free you of these obligations and help permanently open up your schedule. This means no more mowing the lawn, cleaning the gutters, or vacuuming every room in the house!
You Want to Expand Your Social Life
As we get older, isolation can become increasingly common. One of the best things about moving to independent living is that you enter a community full of friends you have yet to meet. Traveling far distances or dealing with scheduling conflicts can make seeing friends feel like a chore. It shouldn’t be this way, and with independent living, it doesn’t have to. You can live in a diverse setting with plenty of opportunities for socializing right at your door.
You Desire More Convenience
The right independent living community will have plenty of services and amenities that can enhance your quality of life while making it more convenient. For example, an on-site fitness center means you’ll no longer need to drive to the gym or pay their excessive monthly fees. Don’t feel like cooking yourself a meal after a workout? Simply walk to the dining room for a chef-provided meal.
You Want to Plan for the Future
It is important to plan out your retirement and anticipate the kinds of needs that may arise in the future. Selecting an independent living program at a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) ensures your needs will always be met. CCRCs feature multiple levels of retirement living, from independent living to assisted living and memory care. This means that if down the road, you begin to require daily assistance with certain tasks, you can easily transition to assisted living while remaining in your same apartment or cottage.
If you would like to learn more about an Ontario Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) with robust independent living offerings, contact Inland Christian Home. Call us today at (909) 983-0084 or reach us online.