Independent Living vs Staying at Home: Which Is The Right Choice?

As someone who is of senior age, you have choices about your living arrangements. There is the decision between independent living versus staying home. These may seem like tough decisions at first. However, this guide will remind you that you have the power in your hands.  

This guide explores the key differences between the two living arrangements, with emphasis on community living being the best option. Here’s a look at what you’ll need to know right now.

What Is Independent Living?

First in our independent living vs staying at home comparison, we will provide you with an in-depth look into what senior communities are and what they can offer for you. The concept of this is to give seniors the chance to live on their own, but enjoy the beneficial rewards that go along with it. They offer plenty of excellent features and amenities such as transportation services, dining options, maintenance and groundskeeping, social activities, and wellness programs.

The best part is that residents can still maintain that freedom they desire. At the same time, they are willing to participate in community activities that give them plenty of added benefits. They can enjoy themselves while also making new friends that live close by.

Floor Plans That Are Senior-Friendly

In a senior community setting, the units are designed with ease of mobility in mind. The floor plans you will find in these spaces are measured to be more open and less cluttered and closed in. You might notice that the door frames are a bit wider than you would find in a typical home setting. The design is accommodated to handle the use of any devices that may help with mobility assuming you might have difficulties.

The floor plans are also designed for seamless movement between one area to another. Meaning you won’t have to deal with any surprise obstructions that stand in the way. Another thing to remember is that in the event of an emergency, medical staff and service providers will need easy access to reach you for immediate care. Therefore, you’ll have peace of mind knowing your living arrangement has a lot of open space for when someone needs to access you fast when something happens to you. 

Social Benefits For Seniors

The social aspect of living communities and staying home differ vastly. What you might notice is that one will have social benefits that far outweigh the other. Let’s take a look at what each of them are:

In a Community Setting

A built-in social environment is one of the biggest benefits to senior communities. It will also give residents the opportunity to participate in numerous recreational activities, clubs or interest groups, day trips, local events, and so much more. Ideally, these will be great for seniors who are living alone or far away from other family members. Being part of a community can be a proven solution to those feelings of isolation a senior might experience from time to time.

Staying at Home

The social interaction options for seniors staying at home can be limited to mostly family members. However, you can rely on friends and community programs to also ensure they maintain social connection. This can be a major issue in rural or less accessible areas. Plus, the limitations of social interaction can lead to isolation. However, seniors that prefer social interaction to just family and close friends may not have to worry about such issues. 

Health and Safety In Senior Living

These communities will always have the quality of life and safety of seniors at the forefront. Each living unit on their grounds will have safety features already installed. These include but are not limited to step-free showers, grab bars near toilets, emergency call systems, 24/7 on-site staff, and other accessibility features. Your home might not have such safety features and installing them may come with added costs over time. Not to mention, emergency situations may go unnoticed if a senior is alone at home.

Find Comfort In Independent Living Over Staying At Home At Adante

If you believe living in a senior community is the best fit, Adante Independent Living just might be the best arrangement for you. You will enjoy living in a close-knit community where they can enjoy their independence while being able to participate in numerous activities and build friendly relationships that can last. For more information on how we can help you decide if Adante Independent Living is the best fit, contact our office today.