For many seniors, retirement is a chapter in which they meet new friends, pursue new activities and travels or just plain relax. Whatever their retirement pursuits, one option is to relocate to independent living facilities. This takes away the onus of responsibility for chores, maintenance and other upkeep. This provides a peace of mind as well as time and energy reclaimed to pursue long-anticipated retirement adventures.
“Many of our villa and independent living residents live vibrant, active lives,” says David Mannion, CEO at Copeland Oaks, a senior independent living community for active adults.
“They view retirement as a chapter to explore new interests, activities and to fulfill long anticipated travel plans – without being bogged down by the chores and responsibilities they fulfilled for decades. Now is their time to thrive!”
No Maintenance
No maintenance. That’s one of the first and most popular benefits many people recognize after moving into senior independent living apartments, villas and townhomes. Life teaches us that time is precious as we get older. It can feel even more valuable when seniors gain back time (and energy) normally spent on housekeeping, chores and seasonal maintenance can be exhausting and costly.
“What seniors gain back is not just time, but energy and – often – a reinvigorated spirit for what lies ahead,” observes David Parry, a Chaplain at Copeland Oaks, a senior community that provides complete maintenance on residences and grounds.
Socialization
Another great benefit of retirement living in independent residential communities is the built in community for socializing. With amenities like maintenance and upkeep covered as part of the perks of retirement community living, there are more chances to explore the richness of relationships in this special new chapter of senior living. High levels of socialization in seniors helps to increase longevity by adding fitness, friendship and reducing the changes of anxiety and depression brought on by isolation.
Hobbies
Typically, retirement communities offer a wide range of activities that bring like-minded groups of people together to enjoy. These can include hobbies in the arts, exercise, faith groups and intellectual pursuits. People interested in such lifestyle opportunities should seek a community large enough to provide a diversity of options while small enough to fulfill the promise of personal.
While it should be considered more than a hobby, religious faith is so important to many retirees. It should be a high priority for those who desire to continue their spiritual lives even when moving to a new retirement community.
Fitness & Outdoor Activities
“I find that residents come from all walks of life,” says Chelsea Venables, Marketing Director at Copeland Oaks, a senior community on a 250-acre campus that features nature trails, a bass-fishing lake, fishing pier, putting green and other outdoor activities. The campus also features indoor aerobics, chair exercises, line dancing and other inside activities that result in healthy activities that meet most every resident’s needs.
Many retirees find this new period in their life a way to optimize free time previously spent on the job with activities that help them retain balance, hand-eye coordination, heart healthiness and other aspects of wellness – sometimes resulting in them feeling better than they have in many years.
24-hour Security & Assistance
A good retirement community brings the assurance of round-the-clock security and on-site help if needed. This is especially comforting to people living in independent residents who exercise the freedom of mobility to come and go and live in more highly trafficked areas of the community.
In addition to providing a climate of safety and security while people are in their homes, this 24-hour security service gives residents the peace of mind while traveling for days or weeks at a time. Just knowing that the property and belongings will be under secure scrutiny takes a load of worry off and enriches the travel experience.