Most people envision themselves growing old in their own homes instead of moving to a senior living community. Home is familiar and filled with happy memories, and the idea of moving later in life can feel frightening. However, many of the fears related to living in a senior community are based on outdated information about aging and retirement.
Many senior communities are vibrant places that offer fun activities and friends to share them with. If you or someone in your life is considering the question of aging in place vs. senior living community, call Westminster Place at 903.329.6520 to learn more about the benefits of our senior community. You can also connect with us online.
Recommendations for Aging in Place
Staying at home may seem like the most practical and budget-friendly option for seniors. Though it may sound ideal, there are many hidden challenges to aging in place that don’t always get enough attention. Some of the costs that come with living at home include:
- Home modifications such as stair lifts, ramps, wider doorways, and walk-in showers
- In-home care costs for cooking, medication management, and housekeeping
- Home maintenance tasks like lawn care, repairs, and other maintenance chores
- Seasonal challenges like shoveling snow or the high cost of summer/winter utilities
Securing transportation is another challenge many seniors face when they decide to age in place. When driving is no longer a safe option, paying for ride services or coordinating your day with bus schedules can limit your freedom and flexibility.
Aging in Place vs. Moving to a Senior Living Community: Examining the Benefits
When considering aging in place vs. a senior living community, three main categories will help you decide which will benefit your life the most: independence, cost, and support.
Independence
Maintaining independence is a major concern for most seniors. No adult wants to be told when to go to bed or what they can and cannot do during the day. For seniors who are active and healthy and don’t need any type of assistance, aging in place can make a lot of sense.
However, moving to a senior living community can help you preserve your independence. With easy access to programs designed to keep residents healthy, active, and socially connected, moving to a senior living environment can help prevent some of the accidents and illnesses that threaten independence.
Cost
There’s a reason people talk about “the comforts of home.” You’ve worked hard to create a home environment that makes you feel at ease, but holding onto your home comes with a price. Spending money on plumbing or roof repairs can force you to give up some of the other things that give life meaning.
Moving to a senior living community means no more of your time or money will be spent maintaining a house. You’ll be free to use your disposable income for travel, concert tickets, or spoiling the grandkids.
Support
Most older adults will need some type of long-term care as they age. Finding reliable and trustworthy assistance is expensive and difficult. That’s never a problem in a senior living community. If needed, residents can easily make the transition from fully independent living to assisted living or memory care.
Moving to a senior living facility ensures you receive all the medical, practical, and social support needed to continue enjoying life to the fullest.
Find Your New Home in Our Senior Living Community at Westminster Place
Aging in place is a wonderful plan, but if a long life teaches anything, it’s that plans often change. Moving to a senior community may have once meant that your days of independence were over, but that’s no longer true. Today’s senior communities provide the support and amenities that help you remain independent longer.
If you’d like to learn more about aging in place vs. moving to a senior living community, Westminster Place is here to help. Contact Westminster Place at 903.329.6520 or online to schedule a tour of our communities.