When older adults reach retirement, they have a lot of decisions to make. Wake up early or enjoy sleeping in? Spend the day on an adventure, volunteer or something else entirely? While a lot of these decisions center around what to do, it’s crucial to also think about something else that’s very important: where to live.
“Most older adults enjoy the idea of living in their current home after retirement,” says Laurie Ralston, Marketing Director at Kingswood Senior Living. “After all, it is home and the place you’re comfortable with. However, it’s possible that a senior living community may be more beneficial – and enjoyable – than living alone.”
More and more of today’s seniors are opting to live an active, independent lifestyle in senior living communities that are designed to provide every convenience, Laurie says. “Even just 10 years ago, older adults were hesitant about the idea of moving to a community because they didn’t want to be around old people or they were worried about losing independence,” she explains. “Today, however, a lot of older adults are looking forward to moving to an independent senior living community because there are so many amazing opportunities and benefits they can’t get anywhere else.”
Here are just a few of the reasons why senior living may be the next exciting stop on your retirement journey.
1. Say goodbye to chores and maintenance.
Owning your own home is the American dream, but the American dream also comes with taxes, leaky water heaters, driveways that need to be shoveled, leaves that need to be raked and nagging home repairs. Add on the usual chores like grocery shopping, laundry, housecleaning and a hundred other little things, and the idea of living at home starts to get less and less attractive, especially as you get older and don’t have the patience or the energy to do all the upkeep.
However, in senior living, you never have to worry about replacing a furnace or fixing your toilet or mowing the lawn ever again. You’ll live in your own private residence – which could be a large villa that is not much different than your current living space – and you’ll always have maintenance and services provided. That means you no longer have to do those chores … and instead can do all the things you want to do.
2. Say hello to instant friendships.
Moving to a senior living community can be a little like going back to college. You’ll find yourself instantly surrounded with a population of like-minded individuals in the same stage of life as you. It’s easy to strike up conversations, acquaintances and friendships over a meal, at cocktail hour, at a community event or activity or at an exercise class. Senior living is definitely like its own little town, and you know the names of everyone there.
3. Budgeting is as easy as one-two-three.
It’s a little thing, but sometimes the little things are the ones that make the biggest difference. No longer will you have an assortment of bills to pay every month. Instead, you’ll just have one monthly fee that covers rent, utilities, a majority of your meals, entertainment, activities and so much more. Talk about convenience! (And again, did we mention – no cost for surprise repairs like a roof replacement since it’s all included in the maintenance-free lifestyle?)
4. Dine in fashion at breakfast, lunch and dinner (and in-between, if you like).
Even if you enjoy cooking for yourself, few things in life are as nice as having someone prepare a delicious meal for you. Senior living communities are changing the face of what dining can be by offering chef-prepared, ever-changing daily menus. Today’s seniors have varied tastes, have traveled extensively and expect that reflected in their dining experiences. On the health and nutrition side, Chefs in senior living prepare dishes to your preferences and health needs, which is great if your doctor wants you on a low-sodium diet, for example.
5. Have something to do all the time.
Just like a five-star, all-inclusive resort, senior living has something going on all the time. Whether it’s a fitness class, a lecture series, an outing to a nearby shopping center, movie night, cocktail hour … life in senior living is vibrant, exciting and entertaining, and all you have to do is show up and enjoy. You don’t have to set up or plan anything! It’s a great way to stay active, meet others and have fun during your retirement years.
6. Have peace of mind for now and always.
Perhaps one of the biggest benefits that senior living has over living alone is the peace of mind it gives seniors and their loved ones. A Life Plan Community like Kingswood provides an entire continuum of care for seniors – from Independent Living to Assisted Living and Memory Support, to Rehabilitation and Long-term Nursing Care. Seniors Residents know they will always have a home here along with the caring assistance they need to live as independently as possible. Family members can relax, knowing that help is never far away for their loved one. All that adds up to a worry-free, stress-free retirement … and that’s absolutely priceless.
Welcome to Kansas City’s Senior Living Sweet Spot.
Inspired senior living at Kingswood means living the true retirement lifestyle you want – and deserve. We take care of most routine chores and maintenance, so you can keep enjoying all the things you love about living in Kansas City. And you have more time to try new things, have new adventures.
All of the activities and amenities are here to do more than just keep you busy. They’re here to enhance your whole life. It’s an intentional, holistic approach that helps you live healthier and happier. And, of course, you have plenty of opportunities to relax and enjoy the simple pleasures in life, like spending time with friends and family.
Our Life Plan Community offers all levels of care right on campus, from Independent Living and Assisted Living to Memory Support, Short-Term Rehabilitation and Long-Term Care. Because Kingswood is a Life Plan Community, you can enjoy your independent lifestyle now and be assured all levels of care are available on site when you need it, at a discounted rate for life. This is an outstanding senior living value because you are assured access to care in the comfort of familiar surroundings. When combined with our maintenance-free lifestyle, a Life Plan Community represents an affordable option providing value beyond your current home and other senior living community offerings … and peace of mind for a lifetime.
