Source: HomeAdvisor
Upon reaching retirement age, it can be exciting to consider moving to an independent living community. You can choose how to spend your time, envision your future, and put plans in to place that can help you prepare for the next step in your life.
You might be asking yourself, ‘When’s the best time to start looking into an Independent retirement community or residence?’ While there is no specific timeline for when to begin looking, the earlier you start, the more opportunity and time you’ll have to make the best decision while remaining as independent as possible.
Before you make any important decisions, however, it’s important to consider and understand what an independent living community is and how it could benefit you.
What is an Independent Living Community?
With the many different available care options, it can be difficult to determine whether moving into a continuing care community is right for you. Independent living residences offer a lifestyle that can enrich as well as simplify how you live day to day offering you a choice in how you spend your time. They offer a wide variety of amenities, activities, committees, and social events that are designed to make life easier and more convenient.
Independent Living Expenses Are Simple
Many Independent living communities also offer different levels of care based on one’s health. They offer a place that specifically caters to an individual’s current and future needs and are typically provided for residents on one campus. That way, if one ever needs it, they can move to another level of care, and hopefully move back to their current living residence when they no longer require the need for additional care.
This sets continuing care communities apart from other types of retirement living arrangements, and gives people the opportunity to develop friendships, ease access to services and amenities without having to move or go too far care and there are simpler monthly expenses.
You won’t have to worry about forgetting to pay your property taxes or the cable bill when you move into an independent living community. Rather, all you require, and desire is covered by a single monthly charge. It is considerably easier and more economical than staying at home and provides a clear view of all your expenses. This is just one of the many services independent living communities can offer that allows for more peace of mind and simplicity.
Everything is at your fingertips.
With the level of more convenience of living in an independent living community, across our 52-acre campus, The GreenFields Continuing Care Community offers excellent dining services, fitness facilities, and studios for arts and crafts in addition to many other amenities. This means that you can follow your hobbies, keep in shape, and interact with people without having to leave the comfort of your home if you choose to.
More Independence.
A common misconception is that moving into an independent living means they will lose their freedom, but independent living is more about enhancing one’s life to help you stay and live more independently for as long as possible. For instance, when you don’t have to deal with the daily hassles and expenses of home maintenance and upkeep, you can have more time to pursue your own interests.
Other important services provided like cleaning or laundry, experiencing restaurant-style dining options, and a daily schedule for activities, can allow more time to enjoy the things you like to do, such making connections with friends, learning a new recipe, or diving into a new book you’ve been wanting to read. They nurture your quality of life and allow you to live as independently as possible.
Social Life in Independent Living
Immediately after moving into an independent living community, you’re surrounded by people who share this next phase of life, who are looking to meet new people, live a carefree lifestyle, and discover all that retirement has to offer. Additionally, it’s quite simple to make new friends and acquaintances – whether you take a class, engage in an activity, or take a stroll, it’s a fantastic way to connect with like-minded individuals.
Most independent living communities offer the benefit of making lasting connections with everything that they offer. With the ease of going to organized activities, plus opportunities for learning like open discussion groups and creative arts, you’ll be able to see friends and neighbors from down the hall or across campus, all while strengthening your social circle with ease.
Making the move allows for peace-of-mind.
Making a continuing care community your true home is possible when you move into independent living while you’re still active and in good health. Enjoying all the advantages of a carefree and worry-free existence can be combined with knowing that you will be able to age in place peacefully without ever having to relocate again.
Moving to a community after an accident, sickness, or other incident that necessitates assistance can be extremely stressful for seniors and their families. Moving now, as opposed to later, allows you to make well-considered decisions, handle your downsizing in a comfortable manner, and ensure that the move is a pleasant experience rather than driven by necessity or stress. Choosing for oneself means that you’re creating a successful opportunity for yourself and your needs as well as your loved ones for the future.
Living at The GreenFields
GreenField Manor offers modern, spacious apartments designed for those who want to live independently without the hassles of home maintenance and repairs. Restaurant-style dining and courtesy transportation within and around the heart of Lancaster are also provided for your convenience.
To learn more about independent living at GreenField Manor, visit thegreenfields.org/independent-living or call (716) 684-8400 today.
About The GreenFields Continuing Care Community
The GreenFields Continuing Care Community provides for the physical, social, and spiritual needs of residents in a Christian environment. In addition to skilled nursing, subacute rehabilitation, and outpatient therapy at GreenField Health & Rehabilitation Center, The GreenFields offers a variety of living arrangements and support levels based on individual needs. This includes independent living apartments in GreenField Manor; assisted living apartments in GreenField Court; memory care and enhanced assisted living in GreenField Terrace.
