The Arbor Company Senior Living Blog

The baby boomer generation is changing the face of aging, and teaching younger generations that growing older doesn’t have to mean growing sicker or moving slower. One way boomers are leading the charge of healthy aging is by choosing to remain active throughout retirement. While some are running marathons or lifting weights, other seniors are falling in love with the ancient practice of yoga.

When you’re caring for an ailing family member, it’s easy to feel alone. Yet millions of other people just like you carry a similar load. You’re not alone. The senior population is booming, with 46 million seniors over 65 living in the U.S. today. By 2060, that figure is projected to double. Understanding the needs, lifestyles and views of today’s seniors can help you better understand the needs of the senior you love and care for. Here’s what you need to know.

Personality types allow us the chance to know more about ourselves and those around us. Generally, there are two broad categories that people fit into: extroverts and introverts. There are benefits and challenges for each of the types, and sometimes people evolve from one type to another as they experience new phases in life. Older adults can often be designated as introverts or extroverts as well, and no matter what type of personality they have, all seniors can find homes and friendships in senior living communities.

We all accumulate stuff. Some of it we can’t even remember buying. But some of it tells the story of who we are. From art drawn by grandchildren to family heirlooms, our stuff is more than just the result of all the money we’ve spent. Transitioning to senior living offers a chance to evaluate how you view your possessions, consider what really matters, and downsize.

Our possessions are more than just inanimate objects. They tell stories about our lives and families. They’re sources of sentimental—or financial—value. So when packing for a senior living community, deciding what to take can be challenging. If you feel conflicted about the move, you might be tempted to take everything as a way to hold on to your old life. But this is just one more chapter in the grand adventure that is life. It’s a great chance to build a space that feels fully and uniquely you—without the demands of raising children, tending to pets, or catering to your family’s aesthetic preferences.

If you are talking about senior living options for yourself or an aging loved one, you may be wondering just how old do you have to be for senior living? After all, the term “old” means many different things to many different people, and the Boomers are showing younger generations that age is, indeed, only a number. You may be surprised to note that senior communities offer a lifestyle suitable for a wide variety of ages, from the mid-fifties and beyond.

Everyone handles aging a bit differently. While we all may hope to age gracefully, complex medical conditions, pain, cognitive trouble and other unique challenges can sometimes make aging incredibly difficult. If you are finding that your aging parents are becoming a bit more—ahem—difficult in their older years, you are not alone. Even the most kind adults can become angry, stubborn or downright rude due to the litany of obstacles that aging can sometimes bring.

Independent seniors looking to move into a retirement community may feel daunted in choosing someplace that is appealing, comfortable, and affordable. Often, these active seniors are more concerned with amenities and environment and less with care. After all, their move to a senior community is to facilitate and continue their full lives, not to take a giant step back.

So which factors should you consider when choosing a retirement community? There are several, but first, you must fully understand what independent senior living entails.

The American Senior Housing Association (ASHA) suggests families ask two key questions when considering a move to senior living for themselves and their loved ones:

• How much can I afford?

• What level of care do I really need?

After those questions are answered, families can go about the task of finding the ideal community and then preparing for the move to senior living. At this point, the challenges continue, and perhaps even become more challenging …