How Independent Living Can Give Seniors More Freedom

March 21, 2023

One of the top reasons seniors put off moving into a senior living community is fear that the move will stifle their freedom and independence. In reality, the very purpose of an Independent Living community is to keep its residents active and autonomous.

For some seniors, delaying a move into a supportive retirement community may even mean they have less independence in the long run. Moving to an Independent Living community while you’re still active and healthy promotes your long-term wellness and independence in numerous ways.

How Independent Living Promotes Independence

Living at home and living independently aren’t necessarily one and the same. Residents of Independent Living communities come and go as they please, while taking advantage of resources designed to promote their self-sufficiency for as long as possible.

Maintenance-free Living

What you can do and what you want to do aren’t always the same. Just because you’re physically able to maintain your home, that doesn’t mean you want to spend your hard-earned retirement burdened by household chores. In an Independent Living community, you have the freedom to enjoy each day as you wish, while a team of professionals handles tasks like grounds maintenance, housekeeping and repairs.

Social Opportunities

As you age, you may notice your social circle growing smaller for a variety of reasons. After you retire, your ties to colleagues fade, and peers may grow less available as they pursue their own retirement dreams. Loneliness is prevalent among seniors, and with it comes serious mental and physical health impacts that ultimately reduce your independence. Within an Independent Living community, you’re surrounded by others who share your stage of life, and presumably, some of your interests. A full calendar of educational, social and cultural opportunities, and entertainment events ensure you have plenty of opportunities to find and connect with potential new friends.

Wellness Programs

Staying fit and active are keys to maintaining your mobility and independence, but it’s not always easy to stay disciplined when you’re on your own. As an Independent Living resident, you can expect to find wellness programs designed to support your body, mind and spirit. That might mean participating in regular exercise programs tailored to your skill level or participating in a support group with others who share your medical condition. Coaches will help you set wellness goals and map out a plan to help you reach them.

What’s more, trained professionals are keeping an eye out for you, so they’re able to pinpoint areas where you might need support, often before you even realize there’s a problem. Left unaddressed, those minor concerns can become big issues that compromise your long-term independence.

Amenities

Living alone, you may find it easier and easier to forgo the activities you once enjoyed and simply stay put. When you’re part of a senior living community, you certainly have the option to spend a quiet day at home, but there are so many amenities within easy reach, you’re likely to find the temptation to explore is strong. Outdoor gardens, fitness centers, and salon and spa services are just some of the amenities you’ll find within many independent living communities. Transportation to local appointments, errands and outings also help ensure you’re as out-and-about as you want to be.

Security for the Future

An especially attractive option is an independent living neighborhood within a community that offers a continuum of living options. If you move in as an independent living resident, you get access to all of the community’s amenities, services and programming, then if your needs change in the future, you have a home and care for your lifetime within the community you already call home.

Take a Closer Look at Living Independently

If you’ve never visited an Independent Living community, you might be surprised by what you discover. At The Oaks at Westwood, a Riverside Senior Life Community located in Kankakee, Illinois, you’ll find multiple dining venues offering restaurant-style service, a billiards room, lounges, a creative arts studio, dog park, theater and more, all located on-site. A comprehensive wellness program helps ensure residents are reaching their full potential, while housekeeping, interior maintenance and groundskeeping services all ensure residents get to enjoy their leisure time, well, leisurely.

What’s more, if you need additional care, such as Assisted Living, Memory Care or Skilled Nursing, you’ll be able to get it within the same community you’ve come to know and love.