Looking to downsize your household responsibilities so you can spend more time playing pickleball, hiking, or visiting the grandkids instead of cooking, cleaning, and mowing the lawn? If you prefer to spend your retirement doing things you love, a move to independent living could be the decision that enhances your lifestyle, thanks to easy access to amenities, services, and resources designed to make life a little more convenient and a lot more fun.
Independent living is a type of senior living community that caters to active adults who are looking to trade a to-do list for an all-inclusive lifestyle full of new friends and fun opportunities. More like a resort than a stereotypical retirement home, today’s independent living communities feature luxury amenities and five-star hospitality, where team members greet you by name, deliver room service, and reserve your appointment for a massage at the community spa.
How can you tell if you’d be suited for independent living and when to move there? Here are a few signs that you will thrive in a community setting.
You’re a social butterfly
Consistent socialization with peers has been linked with positive health outcomes, including decreased risk for chronic illness in older adults. If you’re a social butterfly, you might have noticed that getting your friends all together is getting a little more challenging. Friends might move away, have health challenges, or no longer be driving, which can make your typical lunch group smaller over time.
Independent living communities are hubs of activity, with friendly neighbors right down the hall. This makes peer connection and cultivating new friendships so much easier than living in a multigenerational neighborhood. You can meet new people at the community’s happy hour, at your table at dinner, or while playing bocce ball on the courts on the patio. Social butterflies quickly find their wings and become the life of the party after a move to an independent living community.
You’re more of an introvert
You don’t need to be a social butterfly to benefit from the social opportunities available from a move to independent living. Thanks to the community design, introverts or naturally shy residents can also quickly meet new people and nurture meaningful friendships. Shared spaces, both indoors and out, become gathering spots for people to read their newspapers, discuss the latest celebrity gossip, or practice their golf swings.
You’re more likely to make a friend by attending an activity you are interested in. Independent living communities feature a busy calendar of activities, events, and opportunities, including art workshops, history lectures, and meditation classes. Attend something that you’re interested in to find others who share your hobbies.
You’re tired of cooking, cleaning, and maintaining the home
Many older adults find cooking for one or two people both challenging and tedious. If you’re struggling to plan, shop, prep, and cook three healthy meals each day, moving to independent living will offer you the opportunity to ditch your sauté pan in favor of a plated, chef-created meal at the on-site restaurant or dining hall. Of course, you can still cook in your apartment when you want to, but there’s something reassuring about knowing that you don’t need to come up with a weekly menu.
Cooking can also become more complicated if you’re adjusting to a new health diagnosis, such as diabetes. Fortunately, independent living makes adjusting your diet even easier, as communities often provide specialized selections that can meet dietary preferences and requirements.
Independent living communities also often provide grounds upkeep, maintenance, housekeeping, and laundry services, which will free up a lot of time for you to spend doing things you enjoy.
Driving (and parking) is stressful
When you live at home, you likely have to get out and drive multiple times per week. You might drive to the salon to get your haircut, to church for your fellowship group, to the coffee shop to meet your friends, to the grocery store, and to your medical appointments. However, all this driving (and parking) can quickly begin to feel more stressful as you navigate the physical challenges that come with aging.
A move to independent living can help in a few ways. First, communities are designed to have as many on-site amenities as possible. This means you may not need to drive to your salon to get your haircut. Instead, you just head downstairs to the on-site salon and spa at your appointment time, if the community has these amenities. Stop by the community sundry store to pick up a birthday card for a friend and snacks for your upcoming movie night. You might even be able to attend church services at the on-site chapel. Each independent living community features its own unique amenities, but the majority of communities want to make daily life as convenient as possible for the residents who live there.
But what about the errands that you need to take care of away from the independent living community? If you don’t feel like driving, take advantage of the community’s transportation service. Most independent living communities feature a robust transportation schedule, with buses and cars that run routes through town, stopping at popular places on the way for drop-offs and pickups. Private transportation can often be scheduled as well, with a driver taking residents to and from appointments not on the main route.
You feel anxious about being on your own
Even if you are in excellent physical health, you might find yourself becoming more and more anxious about health emergencies as you age. This is a common concern, and a move to independent living will give you access to services that will build your confidence and peace of mind.
Independent living communities offer wellness resources, which may include a wellness nurse who can answer questions about anything from a new medication side effect to a new medical diagnosis. In addition, communities often bring in visiting health experts to give educational lectures about specific topics and even health screenings.
Communities also typically feature various built-in safety and accessibility features. Features may include wide doorways and hallways to support walkers, nonslip flooring, grab bars, emergency call systems, and security cameras.
In addition, you can find peace of mind in knowing that someone is always looking out for you. Most independent living communities have residents check in with someone each morning. If you don’t check in, the team comes to knock on your door. In addition, security staff is available around the clock and can contact first responders in case of an emergency.
When is it time to move to independent living?
Independent living is an excellent solution for adults looking to experience a social, vibrant atmosphere and an all-inclusive lifestyle meant to enhance wellness. If any of the above sounds like you, you might love to move to independent living. Experience what life can be like in a community by contacting your local Oasis Senior Advisor and scheduling a tour at a few communities in your desired location. You’ll be able to see what the community is like, ask questions, and schedule follow-up visits where you can enjoy a meal or attend an event there.
Senior care facility rules and requirements vary based on company-specific policies and state-level regulations. The content above represents common guidelines but may differ from a particular facility’s policies or requirements. To learn the regulations that apply in your state, contact your local Oasis Senior Advisor.
