Posted: December 2, 2021
Fear and isolation have had a major impact on the quality of life for older adults since March 2020, and many older adults should evaluate their current living situation and how things could be different if there is another emergency in the future. If you find yourself asking, “When you should I move to senior living?”, here are five reasons to move to a community while you are still an active older adult.
Melissa Lahay, director of sales and marketing at Casey’s Pond, a community in Steamboat Springs, believes planning is crucial. She also says that it is best to move into a senior living community as an independent living resident. Then, if one’s support needs change, they have direct access and priority to care when needed. “A resident once told me that it is better to move into a senior living community five years early rather than two days too late—and this is so true,” she says. Melissa goes on to say that there are many other benefits to living in a community in retirement: “The biggest benefit I am seeing in our current time is the access to health care when needed.”
Since the start of the pandemic, many people have questioned the safety of living in senior communities. But the good news is that research from the University of Chicago indicates that older adults who lived on their own were almost twice as likely to die from COVID-19 than those who resided in a senior living community.
Senior living communities like Caseys’ Pond have spent the last year modifying, innovating, and connecting with residents. Those that do it well are some of the safest and most fulfilling places for an older adult to live. And sooner rather than later is the smartest time to make the move.
Here are five reasons why moving to a senior living community while you are an active older adult makes so much sense.
Maintaining a home in the Steamboat Springs area is a lot of work—especially during the winter. Retirement communities do the work for their residents. A built-in support system of dedicated on-site employees are available 24/7 to handle IT support, security, and housekeeping. This means residents are less likely to need to rely on adult children or other family members. If residents cannot leave their homes, whether it’s because of a snowstorm, illness, or injury, they can still get the food, medicine, and other services that they need without interruption.
Many senior living communities offer their residents access to a medical clinic on-site for primary care, medication management and prescription refills, and even specialty services like physical and occupational therapy. Personalized care programs can assist with the activities of daily living (ADLs) such as bathing, dining, and mobility. Other communities offer RN and LPN services, medication management, and caregivers on-site as well as rehab and therapy services. Some offer fitness centers that are staffed by professionals who have experience helping older people gain and preserve function.
The best senior living communities are vibrant places with many opportunities to create a meaningful life for themselves. They offer a variety of different programming and activities, chances for life-long learning, and the possibility of forming new relationships. The later years in life can and should be among the most fulfilling.
Steamboat Springs, where Casey’s Pond community is located, is a rural and small mountain town. “Many residents have told me they will definitely move here when they need the support,” says Melissa. “Unfortunately, in the past few months, some of those seniors are having to leave their hometown and go to Denver to find care because our assisted living and skilled nursing areas have been full. If these seniors had chosen to move here when they ‘didn’t need to,’ opting for independent living, they would have had a guaranteed spot—regardless of the care level. They would still be here, near family and friends.
Once you’re a resident of a community, you can stop worrying about the costs and logistics of home maintenance or what your home’s value will be when you are ready to sell. In most areas of the country, the current real estate market is very strong for sellers, making now an excellent time to sell. The future of the market is unpredictable, with no way of knowing what it will look like even in a year or two.
“When should I move to senior living?” Now! Make your plan early to move into a retirement community so you and your family can avoid a perfect storm and you can get the care you need—when you need it. There is no time like the present to explore the right senior living community, and we are here to help answer questions you might have. Contact us today for more information and read what residents have to say about our pet-friendly and inclusive community.
© 2024 Casey's Pond
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