A healthy, active lifestyle after retirement can help you feel years younger, boost your mental health, and prevent disease. Assisted living communities can remove chronic stressors like worrying about that leaky gutter, cooking meals, or scheduling appointments with doctors and home care specialists.
The best part is you’ll be surrounded by peers who share similar interests and can join you for social activities, excursions, and more. Discover six ways that active senior living can improve your life.
Socialization
Having the opportunity to socialize with like-minded peers is a significant part of Active Senior Living. Whether joining a walking club, helping other residents decorate for the holidays, or learning a new hobby together, it can help your loved one feel helpful and engaged.
Communities also promote mental health through group activities such as reading groups, gardening clubs, or meditation sessions. Having these opportunities can reduce the risk of depression and loneliness.
When visiting your loved ones, ask to observe their friend groups. It may take time to break into established circles, and it is essential to push only a little. Take virtual tours of their community and ask a friend for an opinion to get another perspective.
Health & Wellness
Unlike the widespread assumption that your loved one will be confined to a nursing home and forced to sit around all day, many Active Senior Living communities like Winter Park, FL, assisted living are designed to encourage a full-body wellness lifestyle. This includes everything from state-of-the-art exercise facilities to mental wellness programs.
For example, residents can volunteer to help others in their community—like painting a house or helping in a local garden. This keeps the body and mind engaged and provides a great sense of purpose and belonging.
Activities
Regularly participating in activities boosts mental health, staying in shape, and feeling years younger. These can range from a trip to the local museum to a musical performance.
Active senior communities often offer residents various recreational and social programs. They are based on the belief that aging should not be seen as a decline but as a new opportunity for growth and fulfillment.
These communities can be located in neighborhoods, subdivisions, and sometimes even resort-style locations where homeowners pay for their homes via a traditional mortgage or home equity. They focus on promoting wellness and offering various activities covering all five dimensions: physical, intellectual, emotional, social, and spiritual.
Dining
As part of a lifestyle approach, many senior living communities feature dining experiences closer to restaurants in style and quality rather than cafeteria style. These communities also often offer private dining rooms for special events, and dietary needs can be considered with options such as vegetarian or gluten-free.
For older adults who want to maintain a sense of independence and reduce stress on their loved ones, active retirement communities may be the right choice. They can enjoy a carefree life without the burden of home maintenance and still tap into their existing assets to pay for certain benefits.
Transportation
Whether hiking on the Appalachian Trail, volunteering for the Humane Society, or simply playing cards with friends, keeping active mentally and physically is essential to a long, healthy life. That’s why many seniors choose to move into a vibrant senior living community.
These communities are usually age-restricted and comply with the Fair Housing Act, which states that 80% of the residents must be over 55. They offer housing options such as townhouses, condos, and apartments in one location.
They also feature amenities such as clubhouses, gyms, and pools specifically outfitted to be senior-friendly. This helps reduce the risks of physical injury, social isolation, and depression.
Personal Care
Unlike assisted living, active senior communities don’t include services that help seniors with day-to-day activities or medications. However, residents can count on services like housekeeping and meal preparation. They can also access a social calendar filled with classes, dinners, and trips.
If you or a loved one wants to age with a mindset of growth and excitement rather than decline, active senior living is the way to go. Find a community that aligns with your interests and enjoy the company of people who share similar passions. Embracing this lifestyle can make all the difference in a healthy, happy, and fulfilling retirement.