It wasn’t that long ago that the idea of moving into senior living was something older adults refused to even consider. Today, however, many seniors are looking forward to moving into a community that offers maintenance-free living, restaurant-style dining, active friendships and more. But even if the idea of never having to mow the lawn or rake leaves again sounds attractive, you may be wondering “is now the right time to move? Should I wait? How will I know when the time is right?”
“There really is no
wrong time to move into senior living,” says
Mike Silverman, Chief Executive Officer of
Heritage Pointe, a senior living community offering exceptional lifestyles in the Jewish tradition. “However, there are some signs that indicate a move to senior living might be beneficial to you or a loved one.”
Here are five of the signs that might mean a move to senior living would be beneficial – and even more importantly, that you are
ready to move into senior living.
- You feel like taking care of your home is too much work.
Big family homes are great places to raise children, but as we get older, taking care of the maintenance and tasks that homeownership requires can be overwhelming. Maybe you’re worried about your safety because you’re not as confident as you once were on a ladder or climbing up into the attic. Or maybe you’re simply tired of dealing with it all – mowing the grass, raking the leaves, cleaning the house, and on and on. Not only is it a lot of work, but it’s also a lot of time and money that you would rather spend on something else. By contrast, senior living is maintenance-free – you never even have to change a lightbulb if you don’t want to. It makes life a lot easier and frees you up to have a more independent lifestyle.
- You don’t feel particularly safe in your home.
Perhaps you’re starting to have mobility problems and going up the stairs takes a lot longer than it used to. Or you worry about having an accident in the middle of the night and not being able to get to the phone in order to call for help. Or perhaps you’re worried about an intruder breaking in. Whatever the case, you’d prefer to live someplace that’s safe, secure and monitored. One of the very real benefits of senior living is the 24-hour, 7 day a week safety it provides. Communities are often gated and require visitors to sign in, as well as having security staff on site. Plus, the community itself is designed to help older adults have confidence and live as independently as possible. That includes housing designs that are senior-friendly as well as safety features like emergency call systems – with the press of a button, help is available almost instantly.
- The tasks of daily life are becoming difficult.
Are you finding it more and more difficult to do certain tasks of daily life, like getting dressed, bathing or others? Is it hard to remember to take your medications because there are so many different times, days, etc. that need to be accounted for? What about driving to the grocery store (not to mention cooking)? Whether these tasks are becoming harder to accomplish, or if you’re just tired of dealing with them, senior living might be a good option. You have helping hands available if and when they’re needed, allowing you to live an independent, safe lifestyle. You no longer have to try and tackle things you don’t want to do. In short, senior living is a chance for you to be waited on so you can continue doing the things you love.
- You’re lonely and you’d like the sense of community.
As we get older, our social circle naturally shrinks due to people moving away or because it’s more difficult to get out of the house. This can lead to loneliness and boredom, both of which are big problems for seniors. Being lonely is actually bad for your health – it can lead to anxiety, depression, stress, weight gain and even increases your risk for developing cognitive diseases like Alzheimer’s. But in a senior living community, you’ll have an instant group of potential friends as soon as you walk through the door. Many seniors choose to move to a community because they want to be around others in the same stage of life who still want to have an independent lifestyle. Communities make it very easy for seniors to strike up acquaintances, too, since there are many shared areas as well as activities and events that bring people together.
- You want peace of mind.
When you’re living on your own at home, there’s always the thought lingering in the back of your mind:
what happens if something goes wrong and I’m forced to move into a “home?” Instead, why not take charge of your future and discover the convenience and peace of mind that living in a senior community can bring? By actively searching for and choosing a place to live, you have control over the situation – and once you’ve moved in, that nagging little voice in the back of your mind will be silenced. You can relax, knowing that you’re in the best possible place, surrounded by the best possible care with so many wonderful things to look forward to.
ROOTED IN JEWISH TRADITION & CULTURE.
Founded more than 30 years ago, Heritage Pointe provides the highest quality assisted living and memory care services to seniors in Orange County. Welcoming to those of all faiths, Heritage Pointe is Orange County’s only community rooted in Jewish culture, tradition and values.
For those who need some level of support to live their best lives, Heritage Pointe inspires independence and wellness through an extraordinary lifestyle, high-quality care and rich traditions. It’s a trusted, joyful community offering a lifestyle filled with possibilities – wherever a Resident may be on their senior living journey.
Our one-of-a-kind, nonprofit community is open to people of all backgrounds and faiths. Our mission is focused on our Residents and their independence, health, safety, comfort and happiness. Heritage Pointe has deep roots in this community and is committed to providing Residents with the best possible lifestyle and care both now and well into the future.
