By 2030, the senior population in America is expected to grow to around 74 million.
If you’ve got a loved one entering their senior years, it’s important to keep an eye on them. Daily activities can become more challenging as we get older. Eventually, if they’re struggling to maintain their household and family isn’t always around to help, looking into independent living communites is best.
Entering independent living is a big change for older adults but there are benefits as well. In today’s post, we’ll look at some of the benefits of independent living communities. If you’re unsure of whether your loved one will enjoy independent living, keep reading and we’ll quell your concerns.
More Independence and Freedom
One of the advantages of senior living is that your loved one won’t have to look after their household any longer. They won’t have many responsibilities at all in comparison with their old lifestyle.
This newfound freedom will benefit them in countless ways. They’ll be able to live a more carefree life, socializing with new friends or enjoying their independence.
Even if your loved one is dealing with health issues, other types of senior living can help them regain their independence. Assisted living gives them dedicated help with anything they need, from getting dressed to cooking. If they’re suffering from dementia, memory care provides them with the tools to navigate their complex symptoms.
A Low-Maintenance Lifestyle
No matter what type of senior living your loved one chooses, they won’t need to worry about random household chores. A good community will have staff members who tend to the cleaning and maintenance of individual rooms as well as common areas.
That energy that they used to spend mowing the lawn or cleaning the house can now be spent on hobbies and relaxation. Whether it’s going on outings with new friends or spending time lounging in the sun, you truly can’t argue with the lifestyle benefits of independent senior communities.
More Socialization
According to some studies, over 50% of adults between the ages of 56 and 80 claimed to feel socially isolated. Social isolation quickly leads to feelings of anxiety and depression, not to mention the negative effect it can have on cognitive health.
There’s never a dull moment in independent living communities. Your loved one will have a chance to meet and spend time with their peers every single day.
All residents have the option to socialize as they see fit. There are constant activities geared towards socialization, so they’ll have every opportunity to get to know other residents.
Prioritizing Physical Health
We touched on the number of activities that independent living residents have access to. In addition to socialization, many of these activities are also geared towards improving physical health.
Adults over 65 should get no less than 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity per week. Doing so can help reduce the risk of many of the health issues that come with aging. These include things like heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, and even some cancers.
What’s wonderful about senior living communities is that there’s always something new to try. If your loved one wants to attempt yoga or Tai Chi, qualified instructors are available.
If they want to join a walking club or play a sport, those things are often available on the activity calendar as well. Whenever there’s something that isn’t on the activity calendar, they can always put in a request with one of the staff members.
Healthy Dining
The other aspect of physical health for seniors is a good diet. One of the biggest senior living benefits is that your loved one will have access to restaurant-quality dining every day.
Getting a balanced diet full of nutrients, such as fiber, calcium, vitamin D, and B12 is the key to longevity. Foods should also be low in sodium and unprocessed.
In addition to their personal kitchen that they can cook in, residents can simply go to the in-house restaurant when they’re hungry. There, they’ll be able to choose from a rotating menu of delicious and nutritious meals that account for their dietary needs.
With a strong diet and an active lifestyle, your loved one’s physical health will be better than it has been in years.
Mental Engagement
Also on the activity calendar are things that engage residents’ minds. Cognitive decline is something that concerns every aging person. There are currently seven million people suffering from Alzheimer’s and dementia in our country.
There are many contributing factors to the development of cognitive issues, but you can be proactive in preventing them as well. Whether your loved one is in an independent living community or memory care, they’ll be able to stimulate their mental faculties daily.
Some of the best activities for mental stimulation in seniors include puzzles, gardening, listening to music, and board games. Every day will bring a new pastime that engages a different part of their brain.
Safety and Security
When it comes to independent living vs assisted living, there are different things to consider. One of them is safety and security. If your loved one is a bit unsteady physically, they may benefit from a community that takes safety and security more seriously.
Independent living is meant for physically healthy seniors but slowing down a bit. Assisted living may require certain safety features to mitigate the risk of falling and injury. Memory care has even more safety features to prevent things like wandering, which is a common issue with dementia patients.
The key to experiencing the safety benefits of senior living is choosing the right type of care. Doing so will come with the added benefit of giving peace of mind to all family members knowing that their loved one is safe in their community.
Experience the Benefits of Independent Living Communities
These are a few of the many benefits of independent living communities. Your loved one deserves a fruitful life and a great community can improve their health and wellness in no time at all.
Choosing the right community can be overwhelming. For those in Voorhees, we make the decision easy. Seaton Voorhees offers top-quality senior living services in New Jersey, including everything discussed here.
To book a tour of our community, contact us today.
