5 Reasons to Choose Independent Living Over a Nursing Home

As a person ages, they might start to lose the ability or the energy they need to perform certain tasks. Whether it’s cleaning around the house, cooking up three meals a day, or going out to get groceries every day. 

This when people start suggesting that you should live in nursing homes. But you may not need the kind of assistance they provide at nursing homes. Also, you may like having privacy and an entire place of your own. Living in nursing homes can make you feel like you are living in a hospital. 

So, what can you do? Look into independent living communities. These are more suited for people who want the privacy and freedom of living in their own homes while getting help with some things. 

Let’s get into the details below. 

Assistance with Daily Living Activities

As discussed above, the primary reason you may be looking into independent or assisted living communities is for help with everyday activities. Fortunately, they can provide them very well.

You won’t have to think about cleaning the house, shoveling snow, raking leaves, or doing laundry, among many other things. These will all be taken care of for you. 

You can live in a lease up apartment or villa in the community and focus on enjoying your life.  

Opportunities to Socialize With Like-Minded People

It’s common for people to become more socially isolated as they age. It might be because they can’t move about as much, their friends have moved or are suffering from various illnesses, they aren’t working anymore, or several other reasons. 

You can get the chance to connect with other like-minded people in an independent living community because they will be your neighbors. You can also socialize with them in community events, doing various activities, and maybe over lunch. 

Unlike nursing homes, you can go back to the privacy and comfort of your own place after socializing.

Living In a Safe Community

Living in an independent living community will not only allow you to be in a secure area, but also a safe home. 

You may not be as quick, strong, or vigilant as you once used to be. That might mean you sometimes need assistance in the shower, getting up from chairs, or even going up and down the stairs. It’s very common. 

But since you would have to install many different devices in your home and bear the expenses, you can move into a home with everything already there. Not to mention, you can easily call the staff and they will come to you within minutes in case of an emergency.

Better Suited Fitness Plans

Fitness and physical activity are necessary no matter what your age may be. Although you might not be able to lift heavy weights anymore, there are a lot of things out there you can still do.

Independent living communities offer a range of fitness programs that you can choose from. If you have any special requirements or medical conditions, they will make plans perfectly suited to your needs. 

These communities know the need to live healthily, and they do everything they can to help you be fit.

Healthy Dining Options

While you have the option to ask the staff to bring groceries and cook up meals in your own home, independent living facilities also offer dining options. But unlike the outside world, they make sure all of their meals are healthy.

Healthy doesn’t mean you have to eat greens and swear off meat or eat less tasty food. In these communities, healthy means good for you while allowing you to enjoy the rich taste and be happy.