Independent Living vs. Aging at Home: Pros and Cons
As you near your retirement age and your needs change, you come across making one of the most important decisions of your life. On one hand, you see the home that you built over the years, and on the other, you see the convenience of senior independent living.
In recent years, there has been a growing trend among seniors with an active and independent lifestyle to transition to independent living apartments early on in their senior life. If you’re in the same boat as your peers, you may wonder if independent living is a better option than aging at home.
So, in this post, we will weigh the pros and cons of independent living and living at home, making sure you make the right decision for your golden years.
The Pros & Cons of Moving to Independent Living
With ample opportunities for socialization, a safe environment, and comprehensive culinary services, an independent living community is one of the go-to living options for seniors who need little to no assistance. Most active seniors who have an independent lifestyle wish they’d chosen the independent living community sooner.
Apart from improving the overall quality of life, there are many perks to choosing a senior independent living community.
Pros
Enhanced Social Life
One of the best perks of independent living is that it offers a sense of community and companionship. As you will be closely living with your peers, you can interact and engage with them over shared experiences and foster genuine friendships.
On top of that, independent living communities often organize countless social events, such as music nights, ensuring every resident enjoys a busy and fun social calendar.
Access to Amenities & Services
With a wide range of amenities and services, independent living communities are one of the best living options for active seniors who want to improve their quality of life. From fitness rooms and walking trails to libraries and communal dining options, you can lead an active and fulfilling lifestyle as a resident of an independent living community.
A Maintenance-free Lifestyle
The best thing about living in an independent living apartment is that you don’t have to worry about any stress-inducing maintenance duties. Independent living communities take care of your cooking, housekeeping, washing, and home maintenance, so you have time and energy to focus on your hobbies and interests.
Cons
Adjusting to a New Environment
As you spend decades comfortably living in your traditional family home, you may find it difficult to relocate to a new living environment. It may take you some time to adjust to the new living settings. However, once you settle down in an independent living apartment, you will find lots of appealing things in your new home.
The Pros & Cons of Aging at Home
Aging at home is the act of remaining in your home despite the changes in your needs as you grow older. However, just like with any decision, you still want to weigh the pros and cons of aging at home to make the most informed call.
Pros
Comfort and Familiarity
Living in your home may bring you a higher level of comfort and familiarity, especially if you have lived there for decades. You know the neighborhood, and you know where the streets lead!
Home Ownership
When you spend years building and renovating a house, it brings you joy to call it home. In addition to that, homeownership is one of the prominent ways to build wealth and maintain equity. Holding on to that equity will give you the buying power you need.
Maintain Your Freedom
As an active senior, aging at home gives you the freedom and independence to lead your lifestyle as you wish. Moreover, you have all your personal belongings that you won’t have to share with anyone, bringing you comfort and privacy.
Cons
Home Maintenance
On the flip side of aging at home, you have to bear all the responsibilities of taking care of your house, including occasional house maintenance, housekeeping, lawn mowing, and more. Maintaining your home will not only cost you bucks but also induce a lot of stress.
Increased Risk of Loneliness and Depression
Aging at home comes with a high risk of loneliness. As you get older, your friend circle shrinks and your mobility limits, making it less frequent for you to go out and have a social life. Eventually, it will make you feel isolated and lonely, which are some of the most common mental health issues among senior adults.
Want To Live A Happy and Independent Life? See What Asher Point Independent Living of Arlington Offers!
All in all, to make the best and most informed decision, you need to have a comprehensive understanding of independent living as well as aging at home. However, if you have made up your mind about wanting a change in your living environment, you need to see what the Asher Point Independent Living of Arlington offers.
Located at 2315 Little Road in Arlington, at Asher Point Independent Living, we offer comfortable accommodation alongside various tailored services and amenities. Schedule a tour to learn more about our community and how we can help you live the best of your life!
