It’s a common story. Your adult children moved out years ago, and the once bustling family home just feels big and empty. The level of home maintenance, housework, and landscaping remains the same, but there are less hands to share the workload. You and your spouse start to think about re-evaluating your lifestyle with the potential of moving to a senior living community.
Humans crave the support and satisfaction that comes with familiarity and routine, especially when they’ve been living the same way for a long time. Given the conditions, accepting and embracing change can take while to get used to.
This is especially the case for seniors who may live alone for decades before finally deciding to settle for community living after retirement. Even after the constant craving for more social interaction amidst the struggle of daily chores, seniors are often reluctant to move into assisted living. The mere thought of leaving a home full of memories can often feel like too far of a step outside the comfort zone. And let’s face it, retirement villages can be viewed unfavourably at times.
But speak to those who have already made a move to SA Lifestyle Villages and you’ll find out that it was the prime step that allowed them to start a brand new chapter in life. A chapter where they’re no longer concerned with fulfilling their responsibilities, but instead, where they have been gifted the freedom to live exactly how they choose.
If you’re considering the transition to retirement villages in Australia but aren’t sure if it’s right for you, we wholeheartedly encourage you to explore and understand the benefits and offerings these retirement communities can bestow upon you. Chances are, your perception and the current realities might not be synonymous! So here, we are jotting down 5 benefits of community living after retirement.
Social Connections
The absence of social interaction when living alone can make anyone feel isolated. And after reaching a certain age, making new friends can be a tough task. However, at a retirement community, the opportunities to develop social connections are endless, and very often, the interactions turn into a long-lasting friendship. Residents are usually from similar age-groups, and have a lot in common such as tastes, interests, and perceptions.
No Home Maintenance
Imagine having the liberty of not worrying about home repairs – from keeping up with your appliances and yard work to regular home maintenance and shovelling snow. For any senior who hates managing their houses alone, moving into a retirement village where someone else takes care of everything is a great relief. Being free of this stress is one of the prime reasons why retirees adore their new living arrangement. Not only does it take the responsibility off their shoulders but also makes it easier for them to travel without having to make adjustments to look after the house when they’re away.
Healthy Living
As we age, staying in good health and taking care of one’s body becomes harder and harder. Fortunately, retirement villages offer services & facilities that make it easy to embrace fit & healthy living. Many seniors who are already reaping the benefits of community living experience significant improvement in health due to nutrition. It can be difficult for people in their old age to get the groceries from the store and prepare balanced meals regularly when cooking for one or two. On the other hand, retirement villages offer chef-prepared meals and also cater to special diet requests.
Ensured Safety
When you get a taste of assisted living, you know that accessibility is easier and there is 24×7 assistance whenever you need it. Also, many seniors who live alone are troubled with the thoughts of theft and people taking advantages of them. At SA Lifestyle Villages, we understand the necessity of a stress-free living and, therefore, our communities are kitted with emergency response systems and tight security facilities that help in putting the worried minds at ease.
There’s always something to do!
Numerous residents of SA Lifestyle Villages have mentioned that before moving into community living, they lived a relatively dull life. One of the most common complaints as described by them included difficulty in finding ways to spend their time. However, after moving in with us and getting exposed to a new, senior-friendly environment, boredom was rarely an issue. Someone who never imagined being interested in pottery realises a passion for it simply because their retirement community exposed them to it!
Flexibility
There’s not just one way of living after you retire. Most independent living communities present a series of alternatives that seniors can opt for. For an instance, if you hate cooking, you can simply avail the on-site services. On the other hand, if you love to cook, you can opt for independent living units & apartments and can carry your passion ahead. If you want to save some money, no one’s forced to make use of all the possible services that over 50’s retirement villages offer. You can rather pick and choose whatever is best suited for you. Each of our villages also features a Community Centre designed to be used as a flexible space. Whether that be for billiards, beer, coffee, cards, or a function for a group of people, there’s guaranteed to be something for everyone.
Independence
One of the major advantages of community living is that you don’t have to be dependent on your family and friends for every little thing. No matter how much your close ones love you, the constant need for care has the potential to put a burden on your relationships. Retirement communities and independent living make it simpler to get what you want from people that are purely there to assist. Your kids can continue living their lives with absolutely no worries, knowing that you’re safe and happy!
Endless Support
Community living after retirement offers the peace of mind that you’re never far from help whenever needed. With permanent assistants and caretakers at service, you never need to bother about your security. At SA Lifestyle Villages, all our homes come with a range of village facilities available at your doorstep including personal care, health & wellness options, and domestic assistance. You also have the self-composure of knowing that we have superlative senior living options at exquisite locations like Port Pirie, Kapunda, and Moonta Lifestyle Village. If the benefits of community living after retirement appeal to you or if they feel like a classic fit for your loved ones, feel free to explore our units and contact us any time for more information.