It’s time we start thinking about senior living before catastrophe strikes. Many people believe the time for assisted living or memory care is after an injury, diagnosis, or doctor’s recommendation.
In Texas, only 46 percent of people in assisted living are over the age of 85. Senior living starts in your 60s, so why not start exploring their benefits sooner than later?
If you’re on the fence about moving out of your home, take into consideration seven reasons why it might be time to think about senior living.
Seven Reasons it’s Time to Think About Senior Living
1. Being a Homeowner is a Big Responsibility
Your home is your sanctuary, but is keeping it in sanctuary-shape getting to be a bit much? It’s a lot to clean, it’s a lot to maintain, and it’s a financial commitment.
As a society, we accumulate way too much stuff, but recently, many people have experienced the joy of letting go. Downsizing for senior living doesn’t only mean getting rid of physical clutter. Moving into assisted living means freeing yourself of:
- Household chores
- Anxiety of upkeep
- Financial burdens
- Costly repairs and maintenance
If you’re fortunate enough to live in a city like Austin, TX, you already know the market is in your favor if you want to skip out on homeownership.
2. Keeping Up With the Conversation
Do you find it challenging to keep up with your social groups? Are there times when you want to go out and have a good time but simply have no one to accompany you?
One of the benefits of senior living is a large group of like-minded people who are all looking for something to do.
The open layouts of assisted living communities encourage social interaction in their design. Daily activities, meals, parties, and special events invite everyone out of their apartments for a good time.
Don’t risk falling into loneliness and isolation when you can join a walking club, knitting group, or find volunteering opportunities in a senior living community.
3. Better Your Mental Health
Nowadays, the increasing openness to talk about mental health is encouraging. Especially for older adults. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that:
- Twenty percent of those 55 and older have experienced anxiety or some type of mood disorder.
- Seven million adults over 65 are living with a form of depression.
Depression is not just a state of sadness. It can come in many forms, like loss of appetite, irregular sleep patterns, and inability to concentrate. Depression increases the likelihood of developing heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and dementia.
There is no one cure-all for depression, but having a supportive community of friends and health professionals in a senior living community is an excellent start.
4. What’s Your Score?
Besides improving your social life, senior living communities assist with activities of daily living (ADLs) to make enjoying your day easier.
One way to measure if ADL assistance could benefit your lifestyle is the Katz Index. It tracks your level of independence when it comes to things like bathing, dressing, and mobility. The higher the score, the higher your level of independence.
Even if you’re completely independent now, think into the future. Senior living communities offer personalized care plans that adapt to your needs.
5. Balancing the Budget
How many bills do you receive every month? Many times, we don’t think about the number of payments we have coming in.
What do you pay for regularly?
- Mortgage or rent?
- Gas and electricity?
- Heating and A/C?
- Garbage/recycling service?
- Cable or streaming services?
- Phone?
- Internet?
- Car payment?
- Car insurance?
- Healthcare?
- Lawn care or maid services?
The list can go on and on, and it amounts to a hassle. The average American household spends $5,102 per month on bills, and only 33 percent are housing costs. Wouldn’t it be nice not to have to track the variables in your monthly budget?
Senior living communities include utilities, housekeeping, transportation, care services, and meals in your monthly payment at a cost that is determined when you move in.
6. Balancing the Pill Box
Also intertwined with growing older is the pile of pills that comes with it. If keeping up on your medications involves a calendar, it might be time for someone else to keep track of them.
Assisted living services include medication management, reminders, and administration. Not only will you not need to worry if you’re taking everything as prescribed, but you’ll also have a team of licensed nurses and specialty associates ready to follow doctors’ orders for you.
7. Comfort, Care, and Community
Calling a senior living community home instills newfound feelings of confidence. You’ll experience a sense of security knowing you’re part of a supportive community. Life becomes easier knowing you have a team of people behind you, rooting for your success and equipped to provide care.
Meet new people, gain new experiences, and rediscover hobbies with senior living.
What type of senior living should I consider?
Consider assisted living and memory care offered at upscale communities like SoCo Village in Austin, TX. If your needs change in the future, you’ll already live in an environment prepared for the next step.
Assisted Living
Assisted living services exist to elevate your quality of life. If something is missing from your life, consider the benefits in your new home at SoCo Village:
- Medication management
- Housekeeping, laundry, and linen service
- Maintenance-free apartments
- Transportation to appointments, shopping, and entertainment
- Chef-inspired meals
- Salon services
- Social and activity calendar
Memory Care
Memory care is a specialized service to relieve the burden of the 1 million Texans who contribute to caring for loved ones living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.
The Retreat at SoCo Village is a secure neighborhood in our community that honors the lives of those experiencing a form of dementia. We focus on providing relief and purpose with:
- Brain-stimulating activities
- ADL assistance
- Continuous monitoring of health and behavior
- Round-the-clock associates
- Full-time licensed nurse
- Private and semi-private studio apartments
SoCo Village
Discover more about senior living at SoCo Village by contacting us. We’d love to answer your questions and invite you over for a personalized tour.