Maintaining Independence: Tips for Seniors Considering Independent Living Communities

You’ve worked hard throughout your life. Now’s the time to enjoy the freedom to pursue what you want and the low-maintenance lifestyle you deserve.

An independent living community will help you make the most of your retirement, but sorting through your senior living options can seem overwhelming.

However, you needn’t worry—independent living communities are all about helping residents maintain their independence as much as possible while enjoying a low-maintenance lifestyle. In fact, many residents wish they moved to independent living much sooner! Let’s look at how you can start the next chapter of your life at the independent living community that best meets your wants and needs.

Shine in Your Golden Years with Independent Living for Seniors

Independent living is ideal for seniors who don’t require support with activities of daily living (ADLs), which are essential tasks performed throughout the day, such as bathing, grooming, and eating.

There are several housing options and floor plans available, from apartments to cottages, depending on the type of space you prefer. For example, you may prefer urban living, a slower pace, or a bit of both. And there are plenty of options to suit your needs! Let’s determine what you should look for in your ideal community.

Assess Your Needs

Because there are different types of senior living lifestyles, it’s important to conduct a self-assessment to determine if independent living is the right choice. Here are some factors to assess:

• Mobility: Consider your ease of moving around, both within your current residence and to appointments and social outings. Independent living communities offer easy access to essentials such as restaurant-style dining, a beauty shop, and more.
• Finances: Independent living combines all expenses into one monthly cost rather than spreading it out between multiple bills. Utilities, food, entertainment, and more are all covered in the monthly fee and can even be less than or equal to your current costs.
• Health: Independent living is best for seniors who don’t require regular medical assistance or assistance with ADLs.
• Social needs: Independent living allows you to strike a balance between socialization and personal time. You can meet new friends with similar interests through recreational or social activities.
• Lifestyle preferences: Do you want an urban lifestyle, one closer to nature, or a little of both? There are many different community options to help you craft the life you desire.

Ideal Location

Choosing an independent living community that aligns with your lifestyle and preferences is important. For example, Bethesda offers easy access to several cultural and recreational opportunities in St. Louis, including the Repertory Theatre, Forest Park and more.

Do you enjoy golf? Keep your mind and body active at one of the many golf courses in the St. Louis area, located near multiple Bethesda communities. These courses not only provide physical activity, but also have gorgeous grounds with water features, maintained landscapes, and more.

Services and Amenities

Independent living communities are vibrant and offer plenty of amenities, including:

• Home maintenance: Housekeeping and maintenance services are available to enhance your quality of life. Say goodbye to snow removal, landscaping, and other tasks—these are all handled by the community!
• Chef-styled dining options: Enjoy exceptional dining options with delicious, balanced meals prepared by a chef. Meals are prepared using fresh ingredients, with numerous menu options to meet different tastes and dietary needs.
• Transportation: Bethesda provides comprehensive transportation services to residents to meet a range of needs, including complimentary transportation to doctor appointments.

Social and Recreational Activities

Keep your mind sharp and body active with activities such as:

• Group outings: Take advantage of outings to shopping centers, local attractions, and more without worrying about driving or arranging transportation.
• Game and movie nights: Scheduled game and movie nights allow you to meet new people with shared interests.
• Special events: There are several community events throughout the year, such as holiday celebrations, themed performances, and more, offering residents the unique opportunity to socialize while participating in engaging activities.
• Wellness and group exercise classes: Staying active is important as we age, and independent living communities make this easy by offering exercise classes. Many communities also feature state-of-the-art fitness centers.

Safety and Security

Independent living communities ensure residents’ safety. From well-lit walkways to designated resident parking to round-the-clock staff availability, you can rest easy knowing you’re in good hands.

Make Sure It’s the Right Fit

Take your time with your decision to ensure you select the right independent living community for your lifestyle. Visit communities in person to compare their offerings and talk with current residents to get a firsthand perspective of what life is like in the community.

Once you’ve narrowed down your choices, involve your family and friends in your decision-making process. Having a support network of community staff members, friends, and family members is crucial throughout your senior living journey.

Are You Ready for Independent Living for Seniors?

Learn about your options and discover if independent living is right for you with our interactive quiz.