Deciding to move to independent living in Memphis, TN, is a big decision for most people. Before you choose the right independent living community, you want to make sure you understand the types of services that each has to offer. You also want to take into consideration any additional care needs you may have, both now and in the future, and whether or not the community can provide them.
In this blog post, we will be discussing the typical services you will find at an independent living community in Memphis and how to choose the right community for your needs.
Health and Wellness Services
The backbone of independent living in Memphis, TN, should be a strong focus on health and wellness. These are amenities that help to improve your quality of life and allow you to keep up with your health goals.
The health and wellness options you should look for include plenty of outdoor spaces and fitness or wellness centers. Having access to outdoor spaces also helps to improve your mind by encouraging you to get outdoors and enjoy the scenery. These spaces allow you to keep up with your wellness goals without having to leave the community.
It is also ideal if the independent living community provides different health and wellness programs to assist you with your goals. Many independent living communities offer fitness classes and even personal training. This is a great option if you do not know where to start or if you have specific goals in mind but don’t know how to achieve them.
Dining Options
Even though you most likely have the ability to cook your meals, this isn’t always something you want to have to do yourself. Creating nutritional and delicious dishes is an art, and you want to choose an independent living community that provides this service for you.
Dining options should be available within the community for all three meals of the day or at least two meals per day. These communities usually have a team of professional chefs who are dedicated to creating healthy and delicious meals that are constantly changing, so you have plenty of options to choose from.
Not only is dining important for your health, but this is another critical aspect of socialization within the community. Having access to the dining room allows you to spend meal time with other residents instead of eating alone. You should also have the option of inviting friends or family to dine with you.
Social Schedules
One of the main reasons why people join independent living communities is for the connection with others. That is why it is essential to find a community that has social options, such as a thriving social schedule that allows you to participate in different activities and events.
These social options can include anything from planned activities and classes around things like art or education as well as regular community events. Another thing to consider is options that add purpose to your life, such as volunteer opportunities within the community.
You may also want to look for an independent living community in Memphis that provides spiritual activities and events to help you on your spiritual journey.
How to Choose the Right Independent Living Community
Understanding the types of services independent living communities provide is only the first step in making this decision. You also want to look at each community to see if it will be a good fit for what you are looking for. Here are some examples of things you should consider before settling on a community in Memphis.
Amenities
The majority of independent living communities provide the same kind of amenities, but some communities have more options than others. For instance, some communities have more outdoor options, such as outdoor sitting areas, gardens, parks, and athletic courses.
You may also want to consider whether the community provides on-site amenities like a salon/spa, laundry services, or transportation services.
Location
A very important aspect of choosing the right community is how close it is to your loved ones. Even though your loved ones can come and visit you whenever they like, you want to choose a community within close proximity to those you want to see regularly.
Another thing to consider is how close the community is to other essentials you need access to regularly. This could include things like your doctor or physical therapist since you may need to have monthly or weekly appointments with them.
Activities
Everyone has different social needs, and you want to make sure the community can provide what you are looking for. For instance, you may be more interested in laid-back social group activities such as card games, music events, or barbecues. Or you may have an interest in more physical activities, such as sports tournaments and fitness classes.
Care Options
If you have any special needs around the type of care you receive, this is something to consider when looking at communities. Independent living communities do not provide much care since they are designed for those who have greater independence. Because of this, you may want to consider the type of medical assistance the community provides and how qualified the on-site staff are around medical needs.
You may also need access to transportation services if you can no longer drive but still need to get to things like doctor's appointments or to run errands. Additionally, if you have any mobility issues that put you at risk of falling, you want to make sure there is a nurse or caregiver on site overnight and that there is a call button available in your apartment.
Understanding what independent living in Memphis, TN, provides is very important when you are choosing the right community. You want to make sure you choose a community that has a thriving social network along with other amenities that improve your quality of life and help you to stay active.
At Opus, we provide all of the necessary services you need in your day-to-day life, as well as a thriving community where residents can enjoy their retirement. Download our guide on Everything You Need to Know About Independent Living to better understand how independent living works and how you can smoothly transition into one of these communities.
