The senior community is a facility that allows elderly individuals to live in a safe and thriving environment. This environment helps them stay healthy and take care of themselves.
As we age, there are several changes that go through in our body. Some changes are harmless such as wrinkles on your face, and greying of hair. Other instances that can be harmful include arthritis, chronic issues such as cancer, mental health issues (dementia, Alzheimer’s, etc.,).
So, we’ll discuss the different instances in which you or someone you know should check into a senior community.
Facilities in a Senior Community
A senior community provides the elderly individual with the necessary amenities they require to ensure their quality of life is improved. Following are some of the necessary facilities in a senior community:
- Independent living: Elderly individuals often feel as if their independence is taken away from them as they age. When it’s just that their family members are concerned about their well-being.
So, a senior community helps the elderly enjoy their independence, albeit under supervision to avoid any accidents. - Nursing homes: Senior communities also act as nursing homes for those experiencing chronic conditions. When you check into this facility, you will be provided with long- and short-term rehabilitation and respite.
- Assisted Living: For some individuals living alone at home may be life-threatening. This is when they can seek asylum in a senior community to receive help with activities of daily living.
They enjoy the security and comfort of their own spaces but receive assistance performing tasks such as getting dressed, meal preparation, and taking medication. - Company of other individuals: In a senior community, individuals can enjoy the company of other individuals which may be lacking for them at home.
This is a great way for them to ensure that they get access to opportunities for socializing and building bonds. These experiences enrich their lives, improving their overall quality of life. - Learning new skills: senior community facilities allow individuals to make use of their time and not feel bored. Professionals assisting in such facilities help individuals develop healthy habits such as gardening, sewing, or painting among other activities to keep them engaged.
These activities also help promote their brain health which is great to cure and prevent chronic ailments.
Signs You Need to Check into a Senior Community
There are times during your retirement when you should ask yourself whether it would be a good idea to move into a senior community.
Here are three instances when the answer to that question should be “Yes”:
You’re Having Trouble Getting Around Your Home
You’re having trouble getting from Point A to Point B in your home. You’re always struggling to pull your mobility device through narrow doorways. You dread climbing up those steep, rickety staircases on your own.
Your home doesn’t feel as comfortable or safe as it should be. This situation isn’t uncommon — accessible housing is very hard to find. So, even if you consider moving out of your home, it will be difficult to purchase something that’s safe and accessible throughout your retirement.
It would be easier to move to a place that prioritizes accessibility for seniors. Senior living communities like All Seniors Care Living Centres have features like wheelchair ramps, wide hallways, and elevators available so that residents can easily move around without obstructions.
The centers also have options for memory care services, assisted living services, or full care services for residents who need additional care and support.
You’re Having a Hard Time Keeping Up with Chores
Doing your chores used to be a breeze. Now you’re finding it hard to handle the constant to-do list of cooking, cleaning, and laundry. It’s exhausting. Sometimes, you find yourself skipping these tasks altogether, having snack food instead of wholesome meals for dinner, and ignoring the pile of dirty clothes sitting in your hamper.
You shouldn’t stop doing chores altogether. Research shows that doing housework helps your brain health and reduces your chances of developing dementia. If it’s becoming a major obstacle in your life, you should try to whittle down the workload to a more manageable level. Trim down that to-do list.
A top-quality senior home can help take some of the pressure off your shoulders. It will have dining services, laundry services, cleaning services, and delivery services that can help you get through your week.
It will have an on-site physician and pharmacy with prescription delivery services. You can live independently at a senior living center without signing on to these services, but it’s important that the options are there when you need them.
You’re Bored
Finally, you should think about making this change when you’re consistently feeling bored and lonely. If you live on your own or have a small social circle, you can join a vibrant senior community and immediately improve your lackluster retirement.
The right community will offer lots of opportunities to socialize with like-minded residents and broaden your horizons with new hobbies and activities.
Do you need more motivation? Research shows that seniors who stay socially active score higher on the Index of Wellbeing in Later Life — and seniors who don’t engage in social activities score much lower.
Seniors who participate in social activities like dance classes, music lessons, and community volunteering are more likely to have happier, healthier retirements.
Do any of these scenarios apply to you? If your answer is “Yes,” then it might be time for a big change.
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