When people think about moving out of their home and into a Life Care Community, they often picture something that feels institutional and impersonal. Independent living is so much more than that.
Life Care Communities, sometimes called retirement communities, allow older adults to maintain the independence of living at home, while gaining the benefits of being surrounded by other active community members. While not all independent living communities are specifically for older adults, many of them are available exclusively to people age 55 and up.
Independent living facilities do not offer the same level of care that assisted living. They’re meant for older adults that can take care of themselves, but appreciate maintenance free living and social opportunities.
Life Care Communities take many forms. They commonly offer apartments that can be rented. In some cases, independent living options are part of a continuum of care that make it easy for older adults to get higher levels of care as their needs change.
In short, independent living in most Life Care Communities provide older adults an option to live on their own, while in close proximity to a community of other older adults and services.
As nice as the comforts of your own home are, a move to an independent living within a Life Care Community offers a lot of attractive benefits:
In spite of the list of benefits, many people still prefer to stay in the home they’re used to. Deciding whether or not independent living is the best choice for you really depends on your particular circumstances and those of your family.
If your loved ones are pushing for a move to a Life Care Community because they worry about your safety, you might consider checking out those that are in your community before dismissing the idea out of hand. Most older adults that move into independent living appreciate the activities, the close proximity to friends, and the ease of maintenance and responsibilities it offers once they’re there.
If you do decide to consider independent living, the next step is to find the right community for you. You can do a search for a listing of all the independent living communities in your area and see how they stack up in terms of amenities, features, and cost. You can also read a collection of reviews from current and previous residents and their loved ones that will give you an idea of what to expect from each one.
All that information can help you narrow down your search to the top few options nearby. Before making a definite decision, you should pay each of your top choices a visit. You can see how the apartments or homes look, meet with some of the current residents, and get a feel for the overall atmosphere of the place.
If you find the right spot, it can quickly come to feel like home. You can keep your independence, but embrace an easier, more active life.
Reference: Hicks, K. (2016, July 25). What is Independent Living? SeniorAdvisor.com. Retrieved from https://www.senioradvisor.com/blog/2016/07/what-is-independent-living/
Copyright © 2024 Brethren Care Village
