When your kids are grown and you’ve retired, your home may start to feel too big for you. You don’t need all that space anymore, and you don’t want the trouble of keeping it up. But before you sell your house, only to buy or rent a smaller one or lease an apartment, you may want to consider moving to an independent living community.
Here are seven things you need to know about independent living to help you decide if it’s right for you:
1. Independent Living Is More Than Just a Type of Housing
You move into a roomy one- or two-bedroom apartment with new carpeting and a stainless-steel kitchen. You bring furniture and possessions from your old home. But unlike traditional apartments, this one comes with housekeeping and laundry service. And when you don’t want to cook, you can enjoy meals in the community dining room.
2. You Don’t Have to Give up Any of Your Freedom
You can come and go as you please. No one is going to tell you how to spend your time. But help is always close by if you need it, and security measures are in place to make sure residents stay safe.
3. You Can Keep Your Car
Independent living communities provide parking for residents who want to bring their cars, but if you don’t want to drive, you don’t have to. Transportation is available for residents who may need to get to doctor’s appointments or any other nearby destinations, such as shops or restaurants.
4. There’s Always Something to Do and Someone to Do It With
It’s easy to socialize when you’re surrounded by other seniors with similar interests. Independent living communities provide a full calendar of activities to make sure residents stay active and engaged.
Residents eat together in the community dining room. They may decide to work in the garden, take an art class, play a game, or watch old movies together. Weekly outings let them explore the area. Most communities will plan events based on residents’ interests. Take part in just a few of these activities and it won’t be long before you’ve made plenty of new friends.
5. It’s Better to Make the Move Before You need To
Seniors as young as 55 are welcome in some independent living communities. The transition to this new lifestyle will be more difficult if you wait until your health starts to decline, or after the death of your spouse.
6. If You Choose the Right Community, You Won’t Have to Move Again If You Need More Care Someday
Many senior living communities also provide assisted living care for residents who need help with activities of daily living such as bathing or dressing, as well as dementia care. If the time comes that you need this additional help, they will transition you to the appropriate level of care.
7. Your Friends and Family Also Benefit from Your Move to Independent Living
The people closest to you get the peace of mind that comes with knowing their loved ones are leading active, engaging lives as part of a community that’s watching out for them, and making sure they’re safe.
Many seniors looking for the benefits of independent living in North Georgia have chosen to make their home at Arbor Terrace Hamilton Mill in Dacula. In addition to the activities offered by the community, residents get all the advantages of living in a small town, but are still close enough to Atlanta to visit for the day.
If you think you are ready for the freedom and comfort that come with a move to independent living, call Arbor Terrace Hamilton Mill at 770-999-0421 to schedule a tour.
