The Benefits of Independent Senior Living vs. Staying at Home

Older adults are living—and perhaps more importantly, staying active—longer than ever before. Independent senior living communities recognize this and cater to people who aren’t ready to slow down, even if they’re retired.

However, moving from your private residence—whether it be house, apartment, or condo—to independent living can seem overwhelming. But what many older adults don’t realize is that independent senior living communities offer much that their current home doesn’t and that such a move supports the active lifestyle they want to lead.

Here, we describe how the benefits of moving into an independent senior living community compare to staying in your current home.

What Is Independent Living?

Simply put, independent senior living is a safe, secure, comfortable apartment community of older adults looking to simplify their daily lives while enjoying life to the fullest.

Some highlights of independent senior living include:

• Onsite dining, housekeeping, and home maintenance.
• A calendar of social events, exercise classes, outings around town, and other activities of the residents’ choosing.
• Amenities such as a fitness center, beauty salon, and library, and some even offer a swimming pool.
• Onsite staff to help with any needs that may arise.
• A community of neighbors also looking to make the most of their retirement years.

Why Independent Living?

Seniors who live in their own house or apartment may wonder why they should move to independent living. As wonderful as your home may be, ask yourself these questions:

• Are you feeling lonely and desire to make new connections and new friends?
• Do you want more convenient access to events, activities, and hobbies?
• Does home maintenance feel overwhelming, expensive, or unappealing?
• Do you feel unsafe or uncomfortable in your current living situation?
• Would you feel more confident knowing that where you live is aligned with an organization that can provide you with access to award-winning healthcare services?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, independent senior living may be worth exploring.

Cost Considerations

As a renter or homeowner, you are likely aware of the ongoing costs you might be paying: insurance, taxes, homeowners association (HOA) or condo fees, maintenance, landscaping, utilities, and more. These costs only seem to increase as you age. The longer an older adult stays in their house, the more likely they will need to pay someone to manage the home’s upkeep.

A move to independent living frees you from incurring all those extra costs and managing various bills. Just about everything, from taxes to home maintenance to utilities to even cable TV, is covered in one monthly payment. Plus, you’ll never worry about how to pay for those big expenses—a new roof, damage from a water main break, furnace and air conditioning problems—that homeowners, especially in older homes, may face.

A Social Community

One of the biggest benefits of independent senior living is the opportunity to meet new friends, spend time with neighbors, and be social. Seniors can feel lonely or isolated, even when residing in a long-time home in a familiar neighborhood.

Prolonged isolation affects more than one’s mental health; it can also prove to be harmful. Studies have shown that seniors who experience loneliness are at greater risk for heart disease, obesity, high blood, depression, and Alzheimer’s disease. Older adults inevitably lose friends over the years and may not see family as much. A vibrant independent living community gives seniors an outlet to create new, nourishing relationships, which also boosts their overall health.

Of course, family members and old friends are always welcome to visit and spend time with independent living residents! A movie night with the grandkids or a weekly dinner with an adult child are just two examples of how seniors can connect with family—and how family can be made to feel as if they are part of the community.

Structure and Routine

At an independent living community, residents have the flexibility to be as active and social as they choose.

Community meals with new neighbors and friends give residents something to look forward to. Exercise classes and social activities encourage physical, mental, and spiritual health. And with a community of friends, someone is always available to chat over coffee, play cards, or watch a TV show.

Amenities, Amenities, Amenities!

Most independent living communities not only feature safe, secure, comfortable apartments, but emphasize desirable amenities so that life is anything but ordinary. Some of these amenities that you might not get at home include:

• Luxury apartments: Rest assured that senior living apartments aren’t glorified hotel rooms. These apartments give you space to live and include separate kitchens and living rooms, huge closets, and senior-friendly bathrooms. And the space is your own, free to decorate to your taste and style.
• Restaurant-style dining: Most independent living communities prepare delicious meals for residents that are served restaurant-style (no cafeteria lines and no trays). Meals are also a wonderful opportunity for great conversation among friends.
• Fitness centers: Some communities are equipped with a wide range of exercise equipment—more than the average person might have in their home—and trained wellness coordinators that can provide assistance and lead fitness classes.
• Pet-friendly living: Moving to independent living shouldn’t mean giving up your beloved pet. Most communities welcome pets, who become as familiar to neighbors as their owners.
• Community spaces: Entertainment areas and libraries offer additional space to get work done, enjoy time with friends and family, or just relax. Plus, some have community clubhouses, which can host a range of activities and can be reserved for family gatherings.

Taking Care of You

A philosophy of independent senior living is right there in the name: independence. Residents are encouraged and empowered to pursue as active a lifestyle as they want, and not worry about the details that come with home ownership. That said, many communities will help residents with housekeeping services, apartment maintenance, transportation, and more. In this way, the community is supporting your lifestyle even more.

Some residents of independent living communities may be thinking about services that will be available to them as they age. Those residents may want to consider how easy it is to access additional care and services during the research stage.

The Benefits of Bethesda

Making the transition from a home to an independent living community can be intimidating and scary, and fully understanding what wonderful advantages await you help make it easier. After all, an exciting new chapter in your life awaits!

Of course, knowing that you’re moving to an outstanding community, such as one of Bethesda’s seven communities, also makes the transition easier. Besides convenient amenities and exceptional dining, Bethesda is comprised of professional and caring staff whose only job is to make sure you are living your best life — it’s what sets us apart in the St. Louis area.

Understanding the costs of independent senior living is an important early step in deciding which one of our communities is right for you. Cut through the uncertainty with our cost calculator and see for yourself what you might save by making a move to Bethesda.