Maybe you’ve toyed with the idea of Independent Living in a senior living community. Perhaps you’ve wondered whether it’s affordable or might actually lower the level of independence you have now. You’re not alone. People have different ideas about Independent Living, but they’re not always grounded in fact. Until you take a hard look at your current living expenses, what maintaining a home demands of you physically and emotionally, and what living there may be like in the coming years, you won’t know whether Independent Living is right for you or not. Here are 5 questions to ask yourself to gain a better understanding of what Independent Living has to offer, and whether taking advantage of it would make your life easier.
1. How do I really feel about keeping up my home?
By now, you probably have your own system for keeping your home well maintained, inside and out. It probably demands many hours of your time through the seasons, or quite a pretty penny if you hire professionals to help with some of it. Regardless, the question for you now is, do you want to continue with this level of effort and expense year after year? How do you think you’ll feel about it on your next milestone birthday?
If you’d like to live where the time you spend on home maintenance and upkeep is reduced to zero, then you’ll want to look into Independent Living. You’ll find that Independent Living at a good senior living community will give you more leisure time, and more freedom and flexibility in the long run.
2. How easy is it for me to get around town? Will it be getting any easier?
Maybe you still drive to places like the bank, the supermarket and post office — even in bad weather. Would it be easier if you didn’t have to? How do you feel about driving at night? Something you may not realize about Independent Living is that often, the community will have options for banking and mailing letters on-site, as well as other concierge services to make life easier. A community may operate a take-out cafe or bodega where you can pick up items and sundries without having to drive anywhere. It’s also quite common for residents in Independent Living to take advantage of scheduled transportation assistance for doctor appointments and local shopping. Scaling back on driving or even eliminating the expense of automobile ownership and insurance is a distinct possibility in Independent Living.
3. Would I have more fun if I saw friends more frequently?
Chances are, year by year, the time you spend with friends has steadily diminished. That’s how it goes for most people. When you’re very young, you see friends all the time, but eventually, and for different reasons, most of us just stay home. You can go years without seeing friends who live in the same town. But what if your friends lived right where you live? What if you could meet them for lunch or dinner whenever you like? What if making new friends was as easy as joining a group for bridge? This is the tip of the social iceberg available to residents in Independent Living.
4. What would give me more interesting options each day?
Choosing Independent Living means having access to a vast array of amenities and activities, all within walking distance. Aquatic and fitness centers, community libraries, multiple dining venues, gardens and outdoor recreation spaces, craft and creativity classes, and many more perks are open to you every day. Some communities help residents stay involved in the broader community through service projects, adult education classes and more. Independent Living gives you the chance to try all kinds of new activities, from art workshops and book clubs to fitness classes and game tournaments. And the best part — no driving necessary — you’re already there.
5. If I eventually do need some level of care, what then?
It’s important to consider your current and future health. For example, if you have a condition that makes it difficult to stay active today, it’s safe to say it may get worse in time. The same applies to the health of your spouse if you have one. Staying independent on your own over time is challenging. That’s actually the point of Independent Living — having everything in place to enable you to remain as independent as possible for as long as possible.
A continuing care retirement community, also known as a Life Plan Community, offers a tiered approach to senior living options, starting with Independent Living, and continuing with Assisted Living, Memory Care and long-term skilled nursing care. Transitioning from one level to another is seamless by design. You won’t have to search for quality care providers or move to a different town or community. Everything’s ready and waiting for you. That’s why Independent Living at a full-service senior living community can be such a wonderful solution for older adults who are independent and active today but seeking peace of mind for tomorrow.
Let Friendship Village Senior Living help expand your independence
Friendship Village Chesterfield and Friendship Village Sunset Hills are the only senior living communities in greater St. Louis, Missouri, that offer Life Care, guaranteeing access to future health care, on the same campus, for a predictable cost. Friendship Village keeps you well and independent longer, with innovative wellness programs and the latest technology applications to serve seniors. We invite you to look closely and compare us to other communities. You’ll find that Friendship Village is building the future of senior living and we believe you’ll want to be part of it.
Call us anytime at our Chesterfield campus at 636-255-8281 or our Sunset Hills campus at 314-730-3902 or contact us online for information on Independent Living or any living option we offer.