The Arbor Company Senior Living Blog

For many seniors and their families, the most difficult aspect of transitioning to senior living is deciding when to make the move. As soon as seniors move to senior living, they’re often happier and more engaged, with more chances to socialize, and support whenever and wherever they need it.

For decades, most older adults have said they wanted to age in place, remaining in their homes for as long as possible. One AARP survey found that about 90 percent of seniors hope to stay at home as they age. According to a new study published in The Gerontologist, that trend may be changing. Researchers found a roughly equal preference for assisted living and for various aging in place options. This may be due in part to changing perceptions of senior living.

The engaged lifestyle often runs counter to the stereotypes many seniors have about senior living communities. Arbor’s Atlanta locations boast a wide range of activities, opportunities for continued learning, a chance to volunteer in the community, and a place to make and nurture friendships that last a lifetime. We’re proud of the deeply connected communities we have built and the way these communities continue to undermine stereotypes about what it means to grow older or to move to senior living.

Seniors are just as diverse as any other demographic group, with different goals, different passions, and different concerns about the future. Yet as a society, we’ve long talked about seniors as if they’re all the same. This ageist notion rightly triggers a number of fears in seniors. They worry about being put away, about being abandoned, about being treated like an “old person.” And when it comes to senior living decisions, many seniors operate from a place of fear rather than one of hope.

Growing older can be scary. After all, it’s something new and unfamiliar. Old age is also shrouded in secrecy, myth, and a hefty dose of stereotypes about older people. The reality of getting older stands in stark contrast to many myths. Seniors are living happier, healthier, longer lives than ever before. Consequently, many hope to age in place, remaining in their beloved homes for the rest of their lives. When this becomes difficult or impossible, seniors may fear being locked away and forgotten about in a “home.”

For 30 years, The Arbor Company has served seniors and the people who love them. Our communities across the nation offer expert care, compassionate support, and a commitment to constant improvement. We’ve formed a lifetime’s worth of special memories over the past three decades. Our experience has taught us that the expertise that comes with this experience matters. No matter where your search for a senior community ends, it’s critical to ensure that you choose a community that boasts plenty of experience. Here’s why.

Today’s seniors are fiercely independent, passionately committed to their hobbies and families, and eager to find new meaning in retirement. Many seniors believe that the best way to preserve their independence is by remaining in their homes. But senior living communities offer a viable alternative.

Nearly 40 percent of seniors have at least one disability. Mobility issues are the most common disability for elders. This frustrating reality can make it difficult to spend enjoyable time together. Boisterous grandkids may want to run, while many seniors prefer a slower pace. Even for healthy seniors, aging can present significant limitations; they’re more vulnerable to heat-related injuries, and may be anxious about falling. Yet activities for elderly parents can be fun, meaningful, and even adventurous. Check out some of these family-friendly options:

You’ve worked hard to build a retirement you love, so you deserve to live a life of passion and joy that allows you to fully live up to your potential. Retirement is a great time to pick up a hobby you were never able to find time for, master a new skill, or uncover a new part of your personality. Maybe that’s why most seniors say they want to continue living in their homes. Aging in place has become synonymous with remaining independent. But independent senior living offers greater independence than you think. It may be the perfect way to turn the retirement you have now into the retirement you’ve always dreamed of.