The baby boomer generation is advancing in age and the majority of them have watched their own parents and grandparents stay in the same home as they get older. This is commonly known as aging in place. However, today’s older generation is seeking a new experience where they get to lead a much healthier retirement lifestyle filled with new, meaningful experiences. This is the reason behind many of older adults today taking advantage of senior living communities in Claremont, NC.
What is Aging in Place?
Aging in place refers to the process of staying in your own place of residence throughout your retirement despite having a greater need for care and not having ready support and assistance in place. When an older person lives on their own, they need to prepare their own meals, maintain their home, pay their bills, and manage other day-to-day tasks. Over the years, these daily chores can seem overwhelming and may even take a toll on their health and wellbeing. Safety can also become a concern as older adults lead a sedentary lifestyle that implicates their health and fitness.
Why Senior Living is Better Than Aging in Place
- Ease Difficulty on Family
Those who age in place can inflict a certain degree of burden onto their family members who act as a caregiver. Family caregivers who have their own commitments like work and family would have to juggle between their personal lives and their older loved ones. This may eventually cause caregiver burnout which can implicate the caregiver’s physical and mental health. Moving to senior living can ease this difficulty inflicted on your family so both of you can enjoy life to the fullest.
- Much More Cost-Effective
Surprisingly, senior living can be so much more affordable than aging in place. Residents simply need to pay a monthly fee that includes daily meals, housekeeping, transportation, programming, and apartment upkeep. On the other hand, aging in place involves separate costs such as mortgage or rental, parking, groceries, utilities, activity memberships, and others. Focusing on just one monthly payment of senior living also lets residents better manage their finances.
- Stay Active
As mentioned earlier, it is important for older adults to stay active in order to keep their bodies fit and their minds stimulated. For those aging in place, they may be lacking of social and recreational opportunities within an accessible distance. This makes them more inclined to spending most of their days indoors without much physical activity. Residents of a retirement community will also have the opportunity to meet new people and forge meaningful relationships with their fellow neighbors.
- Personalized Care
As we age, our retirement needs can change. This includes requiring greater care with our personal and medical needs. At a retirement community, care and support are readily accessible and the different services can be adjusted according to a resident’s personal needs. From assistance with daily living activities to specialized care for memory-related conditions, a retirement community offers continuous care throughout an older adult’s retirement.
