Should you move to independent living sooner or later?

A move into a senior living community is a consideration for many older adults, especially those who want to have peace of mind for their future needs.

Communities like Lawrence Presbyterian Manor may be a good option because they are what’s called Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC). They offer different levels of care for different stages of life and allow residents to move according to their needs.

What’s the ideal age to move?

People age at different rates and with different lifestyles, so there’s no answer that fits all. The average age of a CCRC resident is in the early 80s but people in their 70s may benefit even more from a move to a community.

Here are a three of those benefits:

Independent Living Perks:

Many residents first enter continuing care retirement communities for their independent living option. Independent living often comes with perks – amenities such as on-site fitness centers, fine dining, and lots of activities, and fun events. These benefits are easier to enjoy when you’re younger, healthy, and still independent.

Independent living residents also have more opportunities to develop friendships with other residents. Many say that’s one of the best things about making the move. Having strong and supportive relationships can help as your needs transition to other levels of care such as assisted living or long-term care.

Easier Move:

Moving is a stressful event no matter your age. But it gets more difficult as we age.

Packing and moving boxes and furniture will become tougher as you get older, and you will require much more help. But besides the physical aspects of the move, the transition becomes emotionally harder as well, especially if your health declines. You may not be able to embrace this change as a new and exciting chapter in your life – instead, you may become sad and frustrated. People with serious health challenges may even suffer from relocation stress syndrome which could cause additional health problems.

Planning for the future:

One of the biggest benefits of living in a CCRC is knowing that your future needs will be taken care of. Making the move sooner than later will allow you to rest easy that when the time comes, you’ll be able to move to the right level for your situation, without leaving your community or your relationships.

If you require a little support, a move to assisted living may be ideal to allow you to continue living an independent life. If your health needs become more serious, you may require long-term care with healthcare tailored to your situation.  

Continuing care retirement communities like Lawrence Presbyterian Manor often give priority to their residents as they require a move through the continuum of care.

If you already like the idea of moving to a senior living community, it may be worth discussing the costs with a financial adviser. There may not a reason to wait any longer if you want to enjoy the benefits.

If you’re on the fence, we’re happy to help guide you towards the right decision for your situation. Call Chris Phelps at 785-841-4262 or email him at cphelps@pmma.org. He can help answer your questions or you can set up time to visit Lawrence Presbyterian Manor for a tour.

The above article was partially written by Brad Breeding of myLifeSite and is legally licensed for use.

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