Senior Living:
Why Sooner Is Better than Later By Emily Havens, Executive Community Relations Director, Ovation Sienna Hills
About the Author Emily Havens is the Executive Community Relations Director for Ovation Sienna Hills. Prior to developing her marketing career, Emily spent three years at The Spectrum and Daily News as a local journalist. Emily has garnered several awards from the Associated Press, Utah Press Association, and Nevada Press Association. In addition to her contributions to journalism and the digital marketing world, Emily is also a local nonprofit chapter president.
It’s the age-old question: When should I start looking for a senior living community? Many older adults start considering a move to a community when they realize their current living situation no longer aligns with the lifestyle they desire or need. Sometimes, it’s simply time for a new adventure, a new change in scenery and people. And, unfortunately, at times it is due to a painful physical or emotional change in circumstance.
In many cases, folks start investigating senior living communities after experiencing difficulties—physically and mentally—while living in their home. Folks who begin finding it extra burdensome to keep up with the responsibilities of maintaining their home, for example, often ponder the hassle-free lifestyle senior living affords. In other cases, feelings of isolation may have crept in after seeing friends or family move away. Perhaps your neighborhood no longer feels safe and secure. While there is no hard-and-fast rule for knowing when to look for a community that’s right for you, knowing the risks and rewards of doing so sooner can position anyone to make a better decision overall. In general, the happiest seniors we see are those
who openly embrace a vibrant senior living lifestyle by making the move before circumstances dictate they must.
Statistics show seniors move into these communities when they reach seventy-five to eightfive years of age. However, senior living has changed for the better. With added amenities, robust staffing ratios, and an overall rejuvenation of the senior living model, the industry has seen an influx of younger move-ins due to the lifestyle newer communities have to offer. Quiz: Should I move into a senior living community? • Do I want to meet new people and effortlessly build an enriching social circle? • Do I find it more and more difficult to maintain and care for my home? •D oes my current lifestyle reflect my true desires and passions? •A m I struggling physically in my current living situation? • Do I want peace of mind knowing I made a decision before my children or family members had to do so on my behalf? If you answered “yes” to any of the questions above, it’s likely a strong indicator that senior living can offer you a more relaxed and rewarding life.
At Ovation, we meet folks from all walks of life and in all types of situations. But there are far too many who come to us in a time of crisis. Their spouse just died and they are making this move all on their own. A recent stay in a rehab center jolted them to the realization that their physical care needs are increasing. They have found themselves in a depressive state after realizing their social “cup” has been empty for far too long.
There are many reasons why moving into a senior living community can be a positive experience. Ensuring that it is requires taking an honest look at what you imagine your ideal retirement would look like. Your ideal retirement should include invigorating social experiences. It should include having control over your finances. You deserve to feel safe, secure, and physically and intellectually stimulated. Work smarter, not harder, by making the move to a senior living community sooner rather than later. Ovation’s team members are experts in ensuring you have the tools to make a decision that’s the right fit for you—at the right time.
If you would like to talk with a representative from Ovation Sienna Hills about enhancing your life, please call (435) 429-0000, go to their website at www.ovationsiennahills.com, or visit their community on the corner of Washington Parkway and Telegraph Street at 1525 East Ovation Place in Washington, Utah, 84780. 24 www.sghealthandwellnessmagazine.com
