Many people find that they struggle to cope in their homes as they get older and will often be in need of a change of surroundings. If you are worried about an elderly relative who is living at home and struggling to cope due to the house being too large for them to maintain or they are having difficulties taking part in socializing and hobbies that they enjoy, it might be time to look into assisted living and retirement community options. Retirement communities that allow residents to have their own space while providing tailored care for each individual are an ideal choice that will make sure your relative can remain as independent as possible for as long as possible while still having access to the support that they can benefit from at this stage in their life. Some of the main benefits of moving your relative to a retirement community include:
Independence:
Most older people don’t want to live in a nursing home without their own things and be surrounded by other people all the time. In many cases, an elderly person who is struggling at home might do better in a smaller house or apartment where they can remain independent while being able to access the support that they need when they need it. This is provided by facilities like Belmont Village, a retirement home Sunnydale that is suitable for seniors looking for somewhere where they can stay independent for as long as possible while having access to caregivers and support staff to help with everyday tasks or the care and management of health conditions.
Hobbies and Activities:
Older people who are living at home might often find it more difficult to participate in the hobbies and activities that they enjoy, especially if they are dealing with mobility problems or health issues that prevent them from driving and getting around as much as they used to. In a retirement community, your relative will have access to a wide range of activities on-site along with regularly planned trips that are taken care of by the facility; all they need to do is join the trip and they’ll be taken there and back. It offers a great way for residents to keep up with the hobbies that they enjoy along with the opportunity to try new activities that they might be interested in.
Healthy Lifestyle:
Living in a retirement community will encourage your relative to live a healthier lifestyle. With chefs on-site at many facilities your relative won’t need to worry about making healthy meals for themselves and can instead choose from healthy dishes that have been prepared for them. In addition, many retirement communities also offer on-site gyms, swimming pools and fitness classes that seniors can take full advantage of in order to help with physical and mental health by staying mobile. Many are adapted to make it easier for seniors with mobility problems or health issues to safely get active.
Social Life:
If you and your relative are concerned about social withdrawal and isolation, and your relative is not spending as much time with friends as they once did, moving to a retirement community can help with this. Despite providing residents with their own space to live in, retirement communities are a group of like-minded people of a similar age all living at the same compound, which will make it much easier for your relative to make new friends and spend time with friends since they will not need to travel very far. Many offer social areas and hold social events throughout the month to encourage the residents to get to know each other.
Better Mental Health:
Physical health might not be the only concern that you have for your elderly relative. Depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues in the elderly are becoming more common, and being isolated and struggling to cope at home can only make the symptoms of these issues worse. Moving to a retirement community can be a significant boost for your loved one’s mental health, providing them with fewer worries about everyday tasks and allowing them to really enjoy their golden years with a social life and activities that they love. Being a part of a retirement community can help to relieve the symptoms of depression brought on by isolation and reduce anxiety due to having support and care on hand.
Save Money:
Many older people find that running their own home can get very expensive, especially if they are living alone in a large property. Moving to a retirement community can be an ideal way to save money and free up more cash to spend on buying things that they’ve always wanted, taking part in activities that they enjoy, or even being more generous with their grandchildren. Most retirement communities charge a flat rate for accommodation and everything else that is included, which can help seniors save money on expenses like bills and groceries, along with being much easier and less stressful to manage.
Free Up Time:
Without a big house to maintain and help on hand for everyday tasks, seniors can enjoy more free time to do the things that they enjoy while living in a retirement community. Whether they want to relax and read more books, watch their favorite TV shows, learn new skills, spend more time visiting with family and friends, or spend more time being active and getting outside, it’s all much easier to make happen in a retirement community that is set up to support the residents and help them create the retirement that they want. Your relative will no longer have to worry so much about everyday tasks and can spend their free time doing the things that matter to them the most.
If you have a much-loved senior relative who is beginning to show some of the signs of struggling in their home, it might be worth talking to them about the option of moving to a retirement community where they will still have their own space and independence, but a lot more support on offer.
