Change may be the only constant in life, but many of today’s seniors don’t realize just how much has changed in the world of senior living — and in a relatively short span of time.
If you equate senior living with the nursing home where you visited a grandparent or great-aunt back in the day, it’s little wonder that you’re reluctant to explore that lifestyle now, as you’re navigating your own retirement years.
What you probably don’t realize is that the setting you envision is a far cry from the current reality of senior living. Today, senior living communities are far more welcoming, with a deep focus on ensuring residents enjoy an engaging, enriching lifestyle.
Many support a continuum of care, meaning some residents (those who live in independent living neighborhoods) are fully autonomous. In many ways, they live just as they would in a regular house or apartment.
The difference is, they have access to a community filled with services and amenities tailored to older adults, including prepared meals and housekeeping. They also have the peace of mind that comes with knowing they have priority access to additional care if their health needs change in the future.
Put simply, an independent living neighborhood may be located within a senior living community where supportive care is available, but independent living is designed for seniors who prioritize lifestyle over care, at least for the foreseeable future.
Sound different than you imagined? You’re not alone. And you may be surprised by what you learn as you begin researching senior living nearby.
What are senior living communities really like?
Our admissions team at Riverside Senior Life talks to seniors and their families every day, so we asked them to share some of the outdated ideas and common misconceptions they hear and how they explain what independent living is:
Myth: It’s just like a nursing home.
If you’re new to exploring the world of senior living, you’re probably learning quickly that there are a lot of terms and acronyms. Independent living. Skilled nursing. Life Plan community. They all mean something a little different.
While it can be confusing at first, the good news is that all of those terms represent care tailored to an individual’s needs. Senior living is no longer a one-size-fits-all proposition.
What most people are thinking of when they think of a nursing home is what is commonly known as skilled nursing in contemporary communities. It’s where you can recover from surgery or an injury, or if you have ongoing needs requiring care from a trained medical professional, skilled nursing could be a great fit for you.
However, if you’re fully — or even mostly — self-sufficient, there are other options available. For example, senior independent living is ideal for older adults who want to leave behind the responsibilities of maintaining a home and have the freedom to focus on an enriching lifestyle, filling each day with activities that bring them joy.
Myth: I’ll lose my independence.
In reality, independent living residents become part of a modern community filled with opportunities and choices that promote their independence. Choosing a community where you are surrounded by others who are active, engaged and living a healthy lifestyle can influence your own lifestyle in ways that encourage independence, rather than hinder it.
Independent living residents set their own schedules, and they come and go freely. They choose which activities to pursue, and in some communities, including Riverside Senior Life, they have access to a wellness assistant who can help design a program around their personal goals related to independence and self-sufficiency.
Myth: I’m not ready yet.
In the past, seniors waited until they needed an advanced degree of care before they moved to a senior living residence. That approach is less practical today, and it shortchanges you from enjoying the benefits of a community designed exclusively for seniors.
Waiting until you need care creates an urgency that requires you to accept what’s available at that point in time. You may not have the luxury of touring various communities and weighing the pros and cons if you have an immediate need. Communities also commonly have wait lists these days, so waiting can mean sacrificing some of your preferences.
Conversely, entering a senior living community as an independent living resident means you retain control over your choices. What’s more, you can immediately begin taking advantage of community amenities that allow you to embrace your retirement lifestyle fully.
Aside from worry-free living, you can embrace the camaraderie of friendships with neighbors who share the same stage of life, as well as enriching classes where you can learn something new and amenities like a well-stocked arts studio where you’re free to explore your creativity.
Myth: I won’t know anyone.
Humans are social creatures, and socialization is especially important as we age. In fact, research confirms strong correlations between social connections and better mental, emotional and even physical health.
Knowing the importance of social ties for older adults, senior living communities put significant effort into creating environments where friendships can flourish naturally. Social mixers and happy hours are some examples, but many of the best relationships evolve out of shared interests that residents discover when they attend a community activity or event.
Myth: It’s too expensive.
Only you (and your financial advisor) know the specifics of your financial situation. However, the best way to truly analyze whether a community fits within your budget is to do a side-by-side comparison.
Make a list of all of your current living expenses, including groceries, entertainment and home repairs and see how it stacks up to a monthly fee that includes nearly all of those expenses.
Many seniors find that the difference is modest, especially if you factor in details like access to a fitness center in lieu of a gym membership, the cost of maintaining a home over time and 24-hour security.
It's also worth noting that Life Plan communities offer a variety of contracts to suit your financial needs, including your desire to plan for potential future care. Some agreements also allow for a portion of your investment to be returned to your estate, and depending on your circumstances, you may be able to claim tax benefits on a portion of your fees.
Seeing Is Believing
Debunking myths is one thing, but we know that making a move to senior living is a big decision. Our friendly team can help dig deeper into these misconceptions and any other questions you might have about independent living in Kankakee. We invite you to schedule a tour to explore Riverside’s services and amenities and see the truth for yourself.