September is Self-Improvement Month, and if you’re an older adult, one of the things you may be considering is taking steps to improve your quality of life to ensure a happy, healthy retirement now and in the future.
“It’s never too late to get started on self-improvement – every day is a new chance to improve your health, happiness and situation,” says Rachel Henderson, Director of Community Relations at The Terraces at Bonita Springs, the only Life Care Community for senior living in the Bonita Springs area.
One great way to improve overall quality of life is to move to a senior living community, says Rachel. “Consider it a gift to your current and future self,” she explains. “”A senior living community is designed to support older adults throughout all stages of their later years. At The Terraces at Bonita Springs, we’re a Life Plan Community, which means that we offer all levels of service right on our campus. That peace of mind and scope of care greatly improves quality of life for all of our residents.”
But that’s just scratching the surface. Here are six ways that senior living improves the quality of life for seniors – starting from the very first day they become a resident.
- Low maintenance.
How do you feel about doing yardwork? Repairing things that break in your house? Not many people would say that these chores are their favorite things to do. In fact, most people – especially those of a certain age – would be happy to never have to worry about them again. And when you move to senior living, that’s exactly what you get. Communities these days are completely maintenance-free. That means no longer having to mow the lawn, deal with unexpected repairs or even do something as simple as unclog a drain. The on-site maintenance staff will take care of it quickly and professionally, meaning you never have to pay for a handyman ever again.
- The living is easy.
Besides giving up chores, you’re gaining a whole slew of amenities that you certainly wouldn’t get at home. Communities like The Terraces have everything you could want – and more. An on-site, state-of-the-art fitness center. Transportation available to and from events (and for personal errands, too). Restaurant-quality dining. Lifelong learning opportunities, on-site events and classes, fun activities … the possibilities are endless, and best of all, you don’t have to go far. You just have to step outside your front door. - A vibrant social life.
Staying socially engaged is one of the major parts of whole-person wellness. Studies have shown that seniors who remain socially engaged are healthier, happier and longer-lived than their less-social counterparts. A social life can boost your immune system and reduce your risk of dementia. As we get older, it can become harder to stay social as friends move away and your life changes. But in a senior living community, you’re instantly surrounded by a large group of friends who are in the same stage of life and who share your interests. With activities, dining and simply living in the same neighborhood, you can be as social as you want to be. - Safety.
Many an adult child has awoken in the middle of the night, worrying about Mom or Dad living at home by themselves as they age. What happens if someone breaks in? Or if their neighborhood starts to go downhill? What if Mom falls down the stairs and can’t get to the phone? What if they go on vacation and someone breaks in while they’re gone? Living alone means being, well, alone, and a lot of problems can arise for a senior who’s getting up in years. In a senior community, by contrast, there is usually around-the-clock security staff as well as care staff available 24/7. The community may also be gated. In other words, living in a community is safe for so many reasons. - Better nutrition.
It’s not always fun or easy to cook for oneself or just two people. A lot of seniors living on their own may opt for pre-made meals or something easy that doesn’t require a lot of work. As we age, our nutritional needs change, and it’s more important than ever that the food we eat works as hard as possible to keep our bodies healthy. But if a senior can’t easily get to the grocery store or simply doesn’t have the energy to make dinner every night, what can they do? At a senior living community, the food is fresh, varied and nutritionally balanced – not to mention, delicious. These days, communities are hiring professional chefs to run their kitchens, who then produce meals to rival the finest area restaurants. An on-site nutritionist assists with ensuring that meals are perfectly balanced for seniors’ needs, and offerings can be tailored for those with specific dietary restrictions or preferences. - The ability to age in place.
The desire of practically all seniors is to grow old in their home. For many, their family home simply isn’t practical for that desire – unless there are extensive renovations done to ensure the safety of the occupant. Which is why many of today’s active and independent seniors choose to move into senior living even though they don’t need “help.” At a Life Plan Community like The Terraces, we have many independent living residents who are healthy, vibrant and active and simply want the peace of mind and convenience that comes from living here. As our residents’ health needs change, they are able to smoothly transition into assisted living services, memory support or even skilled nursing or rehabilitation. This allows individuals to remain “at home” in a place they’ve come to know and love, surrounded by familiar faces and surroundings.
About The Terraces at Bonita Springs
Recreation, special events, holiday celebrations, educational programs, guest speakers, and a variety of inspiring activities take place throughout the year at The Terraces at Bonita Springs as part of the community’s active lifestyle programs. The Terraces is the only Life Care Community for senior living in the Bonita Springs area. Living choices include independent living, assisted living, memory support, skilled nursing and rehabilitation. All levels of care, including assisted living, skilled nursing, and memory support, are open for direct admittance, with no entrance fee.
For more information, visit TheTerracesAtBonitaSprings.com or call 239-221-8907.
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