What do independent living sites offer?

By Scott Witt and Taylor Shuman, SeniorLiving.org

You have a dilemma. The home where you raised your children, the place you came home to for 30 years, and the yard you manicured, is now too much to manage. You no longer have the desire to weed the flower bed, lug the vacuum upstairs, and listen to your neighbor’s car stereo booming at night.

But maybe the memories of this place stretch your entire adult life. Your kids took their first steps in the living room.

Your grandkids love playing in the oakshaded backyard. So, what should you do?

Deciding to move into something more manageable is not easy at first. But once you see the necessity and start thinking about the possibilities of a new life in an independent living community, you may feel like a weight has been lifted.

We’ll try to make selecting an independent living community as easy as possible and arm you with questions, answers and everything in between!

What is independent living?

Independent living is for older adults who want to live independently among their peers and also have amenities and services tailored to their needs.

When you picture a retirement community, we’d bet that what you’re picturing is independent living. You have your own apartment or cottage, yet there are tons of similarly-aged people living around you.

You can go about your day, doing your own thing, or you can join scheduled group activities like yoga or shuffleboard, and outings like trips to the golf course. Plus, you aren’t dragged down by yard work, home maintenance or cleaning.

That’s independent living: Communities intentionally designed for people 55+ or 65+, where you can remain independent without feeling lonely or isolated.

Everything you need is generally right on campus, such as a library, dining options, a fitness center and social activities. It’s fairly similar to the residential side of college life.

What services and activities are available?

Independent living communities all offer different services and activities for residents. Some might have a golf course and golf carts on the property. Others are located in the middle of the city, making outings very accessible.

The following are some services and amenities commonly offered at independent living communities:

• Fitness classes, a gym or outdoor recreational spaces

• Book clubs, cooking clubs, gardening clubs, Bible clubs, card clubs, etc.

• On-site lectures, seminars and classes

• Housekeeping, meal preparation and home maintenance

• Travel and cultural opportunities

• Dining facilities

• Movie nights, games nights, bingo

• Laundry and linen services

• Around-the-clock security

Is independent living right for me?

Choosing to move to an independent living community takes careful consideration, especially if it means you’ll need to sell your home.

As you do your research and mull it over, don’t forget to talk to any friends who may already live in an independent living community. Their first-hand stories might make deciding a bit easier.

You’ll likely hear a range of stories about why they decided to make the move, as everyone has their own reasons for choosing independent living. Here are a few common ones:

• You want to spend your retirement

See INDEPENDENT LIVING, page B-3