One of the leading concerns about moving into a senior living community is loss of independence. You’ve spent your whole life living independently – supporting yourself, raising a family, making your own decisions – and the idea of losing your independence can be depressing, even angering. It can feel like a loss of identity and impact your self-worth.
The irony is that senior living communities can actually help you maintain your independence. They promote freedom by providing opportunities for engagement in everyday activities, and ensure a better quality of life during an otherwise uncertain time.
3 Ways Eddy Senior Living Promotes Senior Independence
Here are just a few of the ways that our senior living communities in the Albany area and Adirondacks help seniors maintain their independence and enjoy a fulfilling retirement.
Accessibility & Mobility
Unfortunately, many seniors who choose to age in place are completely, or at least partially, homebound. These individuals rarely if ever leave their homes, and when they do, they need to arrange for a family member or caregiver to provide assistance.
In contrast, older adults who live in senior living communities are much more likely to get out of their apartments to attend social events, fitness programs and educational activities. Eddy Senior Living provides offsite transportation to medical appointments, shopping, and a variety of year-round activities, including lunch and dinner outings, live music and shows, day trips, overnight excursions and more. Of course, if you prefer to drive, you’ll also enjoy convenient parking and snow removal in the winter months.
Rather than inhibiting your independence, senior living communities make it easier to get out and about and enjoy life.
Opportunities to Be Social
Maybe you have a robust social life, and the desire to age in place is tied to being close to friends. This is a fair argument. After all, friends give us purpose and allow us to express our personality – important aspects of independence. However, when we consider the increase in mobility and health issues as we age, the reality is that our ability to socialize often dwindles, as does our social network. The death of spouses, friends and relatives can lead to loneliness and isolation. And creating and sustaining friendships at this stage in life is simply more challenging when you live alone.
Senior living communities, on the other hand, offer the opportunity to form new friendships, thereby reducing the risk of depression and the other physical ailments that come with it. Eddy Senior Living makes it easier for seniors to socialize and connect with likeminded individuals by offering a variety of clubs & groups, exercise classes and education programs, as well as volunteer opportunities.
Moving into a senior living community doesn’t mean you forget about your old friends; it just makes it easier to make new ones. In fact, many of our residents still meet up with those who live outside the community.
Read: The Importance of Friendships in Healthy Aging
Safety & Security
Living alone can present several hazards as we age. It’s estimated that more than 30% of seniors suffer serious falls and injuries each year, which can lead to the inability to care for yourself, ultimately stripping you of your independence. Likewise, seniors who opt to age in place are at a much higher risk for malnutrition, which can also lead to frailty and loss of independence.
Senior living communities are specially designed to meet state and national standards to prevent falls and injuries. Eddy Senior Living is also a secure campus offering 24-hour security and emergency call systems, as well as resident safety checks. In the event that you do have an accident, you’ll receive a much faster response than if you live alone.
You also have the option to cook in your own kitchen or dine with friends, and enjoy our delicious, chef-prepared meals with a changing menu reviewed by a geriatric nutritionist. The food, in fact, is what wins over even our most reluctant residents. Not having to shop for and prepare meals (or clean up the mess!) means you have more freedom and time to do the things you enjoy.
Read: Aging in Place vs. Senior Living Communities – A Cost Comparison
Maintain Your Senior Independence
Many seniors mistakenly assume that the move to a senior living community means giving up their freedom, but this is far from the truth. In fact, Eddy Senior Living is designed to support and promote ongoing independence. While you may feel like you’re losing something by moving out of your home, you actually have much to gain.
The most common reason for not moving into a senior living community may be the fear of losing your independence, but the biggest regret of those who eventually do make the move is that they didn’t do it sooner.
To learn more about our senior living communities in Troy, Slingerlands, Niskayuna, East Greenbush and Queensbury NY, contact us online, or call 518-280-8385 enior Independenceto schedule a tour.