Ask Mom or Dad about moving into senior living, and many seniors will immediately reply, “I’m too young for that!” or “I’m not ready for that!” or “that’s for old people!” For many older adults, the thought of moving to senior living conjures up images of people in wheelchairs, boring bingo, mushy food and a lifestyle that simply is not what they’re looking for.
“A lot of seniors and their families don’t think about moving into senior living until their loved one needs the extra support or has a health issue,” says Wayne Vinson, Sales Leader at The Village at Gainesville, a senior living rental community that offers independent living, assisted living and memory support. “But that can make the move to senior living more stressful and difficult than it has to be.”
Wayne says that moving to senior living before you “need” it is one of the best gifts you can give yourself or your senior loved one. “One of the things we often hear from residents at The Village at Gainesville is I wish I had moved here sooner! You don’t have to require services in order to live happily at a senior living community. In fact, healthy and vibrant seniors can get a lot of benefits from moving to a community like The Village.”
Not convinced? Let’s lay out some of the reasons why seniors delay moving into senior living … and then some reasons why you should reconsider that line of thinking.
Reason 1: “I’m too young for senior living.”
Most people never really feel like they’re “old enough” to move to senior living. This is especially true for the Boomer generation, who continue to be active, healthy and youthfully minded well into their later years. They’re not your grandma’s seniors, and they definitely don’t want to sit on a porch and watch the world pass them by. They’re ready for adventure!
Reasons to reconsider moving: Moving into a senior living community at a younger age – especially a community that offers a wide spectrum of care services – helps you live a better retirement. You’re able to get involved in the community’s activities and events, make friendships quickly and take steps to increase your overall wellness – plus enjoy a maintenance-free lifestyle. In short, moving when you’re young makes retirement more enjoyable because you have more time to do the things you want to do – not the things you have to do.
Reason 2: “I don’t want to lose my independence.”
No one enjoys being told what to do, where to go and when to do things. Oftentimes, seniors worry that moving to a senior community will entail just that. After having lived on their own for so long and making their own schedules, it makes sense that they wouldn’t want to take a step back and have someone else chart the course of their life’s journey.
Reasons to reconsider moving: Today’s senior living communities aren’t cookie-cutter places where you eat at a certain time, do only certain activities and have your life dictated for you. A lot of progress has been made in the field over the past twenty years, and now a community is designed around your needs, wants and desires. Residents at The Village have the freedom to do what they want, when they want it, how they want it – even if they may need a little extra assistance doing it. Our staff is here to help you live the life you want – not try to force you into our existing mold.
Reason 3: “I don’t want the hassle of moving.”
Moving is stressful – there’s no doubt about that. It’s doubly stressful if you’re considering downsizing to a senior living community from a large family home. Frankly, it’s a lot of hassle, and many seniors put off the process of moving just because they don’t want to deal with it.
Reasons to reconsider moving: Not to be blunt, but your stuff will have to be gone through and taken care of one way or another. Moving now while you’re younger and healthy means you’ll be able to save your heirs the hassle of estate sales and selling the family home – plus, you’re able to hand off family treasures and see your loved ones enjoy them. Also, if you wait until your health requires you to move to senior living, you’ll still have to deal with moving, and it will be even more stressful. So why not get it over with?
Reason 4: “I want to age in place in my own home.”
Nine out of 10 adults – not just seniors – say they want to “age in place” as they get older. It makes sense that you’d want to spend your final years in a place that’s comfortable, familiar and – well – home.
Reasons to reconsider moving. The majority of homes are not set up to deal with the increasing health needs of seniors. In order to live safely “at home” as you age, you may need to make some serious renovations – which can be costly and disruptive. A senior living community, by contrast, has been designed with the needs of seniors in mind, and allows residents to safely and easily “age in place” in their home. Again, by moving before “you have to,” you’re better able to make the community “home” … which allows you to “age at home” in convenience and comfort.
Reason 5: “I’m worried about affordability.”
The idea of paying monthly rent – especially if you’ve paid off your house and have been living mortgage free for a long time – can give anyone pause. Many seniors these days are worried about their finances and express concern as to whether the money will last throughout their retirement.
Reasons to reconsider moving: Surprisingly, when you break down your budget and look at every line item, moving into a senior living community can actually be more affordable than living at home, even if you have a paid-off mortgage. At a community like The Village, our all-inclusive approach means you pay a monthly fee that covers everything. Yes, everything, from rent to dining to activities and events and utilities and even health care. No surprise fees, no surprise expenses. Talk about easy!
If you want the very best for your parent or loved one, consider The Village at Gainesville, a senior living rental community that offers independent living, assisted living and memory support. Contact us online or call us at 352-548-3507 to learn more about our variety of residential options.
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