Seniors are increasingly choosing active retirement communities for the many services and amenities they offer, allowing them the freedom to enjoy their golden years without the challenges of maintaining their home and other daily chores as they age. But are your parents ready to consider the move? Here are a few key signs your parents are ready for an active retirement community.
1. They’re Having Difficulty Keeping Up with Home Maintenance
As your parents get older, keeping up with the day-to-day responsibilities of maintaining a large family home can become challenging. That’s why many seniors consider downsizing as they approach their golden years. They’ve already raised a family, so they don’t need the space they once did, and smaller homes are easier to maintain. But active retirement communities offer even more than downsizing to a smaller house, with services and amenities ranging from on-site dining options to gyms, beauty salons and barber shops, billiards and game rooms, and easy access to medical care and personal care services should your parents need them.
2. They’re Tired of the Upkeep Required to Maintain a Large Home
Even if your parents can still easily tackle most home maintenance tasks, that doesn’t mean they want to. Laundry, grocery shopping, cooking, mowing the lawn, trimming the bushes, cleaning, changing lightbulbs, and other monotonous chores aren’t exactly an exciting way to spend your time in retirement. If your parents are simply tired of the demands of home maintenance and want an easier lifestyle to enjoy their golden years, moving to an active retirement community is an excellent choice.
3. They’re Ready for New Adventures
Some seniors develop a sense of wanderlust and a growing desire to cross adventures off their bucket lists. Maybe your parents have always talked about wanting to live in a certain area, such as a warmer climate or in a city they’ve always loved. Perhaps they’ve expressed a desire to travel but are tied down by the demands of home maintenance. Active retirement communities give seniors the freedom of living life on their own terms by eliminating many of the demands that would otherwise keep them close to home.
4. They Could Benefit from Socialization with Other Seniors
If your parents are somewhat isolated and don’t have many opportunities to socialize with other older adults, moving to a retirement community is an excellent way to make new friends. Active retirement communities offer a variety of activities and opportunities to interact with other seniors in the same stage of life, helping to keep them active and engaged. Being involved in a vibrant, active retirement community can help to combat loneliness and reduce the risk of isolation and depression.
5. You’re Concerned About Their Safety
If your parents aren’t as mobile as they used to be, you might become concerned about their safety at home, particularly if they have to go up and down the stairs frequently or have other difficult to navigate areas in or around their home. At retirement communities, apartments are designed with the needs of older adults in mind, with features such as high-rise toilets and grab bars, walk-in showers and tubs, and spacious layouts for easy navigation.
6. You’re Concerned About Security
Another consideration is your parents’ security, which is often a big concern for seniors who live in rural areas. What if there are no nearby neighbors who could help in case of an emergency such as a break-in or a fire? Or, what if they live in an area with a high crime rate? A retirement community offers security and peace of mind with gated entrances and 24-hour on-site security staff.
7. They Want to be Closer to You
If you moved away from your hometown after school to pursue a career and a life in a new city, you’ve probably spent many years living at a distance from your parents. If you have children of your own now, that means either you or your parents have to travel to see each other in person. Many seniors opt to move to active retirement communities to be closer to their children and grandchildren. If your parents are expressing a desire to see you and your children more often, moving to a retirement community in your area can make the move a lot simpler and less stressful than searching for and buying a new home.
8. They’re Worried About the Future
If your parents are facing the realization that they’re not getting any younger, they may start to worry about what the future holds for them. It’s always a good idea to plan for your senior years long before you need to take any action, so there’s no better time than the present to think about senior living options. A continuing care retirement community provides peace of mind by offering a continuum of care options from retirement living to assisted living and skilled nursing care, allowing your parents to transition easily as their needs change.
If you recognize these or other signs that your parents might be ready for a retirement community, get the conversation started with a virtual tour of the apartments available at Arbors of Hop Brook. Take a look at our photo and video gallery for a glimpse into the active independent lifestyle that awaits your parents at Arbors or get in touch to schedule an in-person tour.