Why Seniors Fear Moving To a Retirement Home, Retirement Residence, or Senior Lifestyle Community.

Does Your Parent Fear Losing Independence If Moving Into a Retirement Residence? 

Fear of losing independence & freedom are often why seniors fear or resist moving to a retirement community. 

Ironically, Moving to a Retirement Community Could Provide MORE Independence For Your Parent.

Fear of losing independence & freedom are often why seniors fear or resist moving to a retirement community.

30 or 40 years ago they didn’t have retirement lifestyle residences.  Key word is “lifestyle”. 

They had nursing homes. There was a stigma. A negative connotation. 

That’s where (seniors believed) people go when they’re old, can’t take care of themselves, and they have to give up all of their freedom & independence.

And that is why today’s elderly often thing senior lifestyle communities or retirement homes are restrictive vs. what they really are these days.

Coincidentally I recently shared a video on my YouTube channel called “Understanding What a Retirement Residence [REALLY] Is.”

Today’s retirement communities actually offer more independence, not less. 

Depending on the property, some have medical assistance available, and other services for assisting living where necessary. 

In that other video I talked more about the independent options & lifestyles you can still have in a retirement residence [please be sure to check out that video as well].

So below I will share some of the many benefits of not continuing the restrictive responsibilities of keeping your own house or condo:

1. Freedom from responsibilities:

Obviously moving into a retirement residence means true freedom from;

• home repairs,
• ongoing maintenance,
• lawn care,
• cleaning your home,
• planning every meal,
• preparing/cooking every meal,
• having to shop or order groceries,
• stairs [if you have] poorly lit spaces,
• transportation (if you don’t drive),
• all of the monthly bills to pay, and of course feeling isolated lonely.

Truth is that as we get older we want to DO less and ENJOY more. 

But as homes get older they require us to DO more, not less. 

Moving into a retirement residence will provide more time and opportunity to socialize with people. There are organized activities. 

And you can have breakfast, lunch, and dinner with friends while a chef prepare meals for you.

You can learn new hobbies like watercolour painting, and other great talents.

2. Safety and security. 

While this might not be something your parent(s) is concerned with it’s obviously important to you. 

Retirement residences are designed to support seniors as they grow older. 

From well-appointed lighting to elevators, floor coverings & wall coverings, seating, and apartment design, all aspects are chosen and implemented to support the well-being of residents. 

And of course there are staff 24/7.

3. It’s Like You Never Left Home. 

Everyone has their own perception of what a retirement residence is like.

Maybe your parent envisions a retirement residence like a nursing home which seems more like an institution, or perhaps even a hospital?

Well, not only are most retirement residences I’ve been in quite the opposite, whereby they are beautifully decorated like a luxury condo building,

but your own private suite in the retirement residence can actually be setup just like your current living room or bedroom.

In fact I have Seniors Transition Specialists on my team who do exactly what I just described.

They will pack up your current home, and then unpack & setup your new suite in the retirement residence the same way so you feel at home immediately.

4. Proactive vs. Reactive: 

There’s a well-know proverb that says: “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The 2nd best time is today”.

I remember when Wayne Gretzky reached stardom his father said “most kids follow the puck, but Wayne goes to where the puck is going to be next”.

Well, often seniors say I’m not old enough for a retirement Residence. Or I don’t belong there. Or I’m not ready.

As I said earlier, most retirement residences is like living on a luxury vacation every day.

Most residents end up saying they can’t believe they didn’t move there sooner.

 The reality is you should wait until you’re ill or immobile to start looking & touring retirement residences.

The best time to move is when we are healthy. 

 When an unexpected health change happens many other things change.

 You don’t have a clear mind to make choices of where you want to go.

You often don’t have time to look for the residence that would be most desirable for you because assisted living is now urgent.

It’s the difference between being proactive vs. reactive.

 And reactive decision making is usually based on clouded emotions, feelings of being overwhelmed, and quite frankly every choice is more difficult to make.

5. Humans Are Social Beings: 

Everyone learned a lot from the Covid pandemic.

One thing that became most apparent is human beings need socialization.

Social isolation & loneliness can negatively affect your well-being and drastically reduce quality of life.

Needless to say, all retirement residences have adapted with the times to ensure social life within their community (or property) continues for their residents, with the highest level of safety and necessary precautions.

 While visits from family & outside friends is wonderful (and getting back to normal in most properties), the dining rooms, common social areas, and activities at the retirement residences are again hopping with the sound of laughter, conversation, fun & social activities for residents. 

6. Cost of Retirement Residences Offset By Rising Cost of Home Care:

Whether your parent (or family) is hesitant to consider a retirement Residence due to costs, or you’re simply trying to honour your parents’ wish to stay at home, when you have to work frantically doing everything you can to keep your parent at home, especially if they have a progressive condition such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s, it can be a full-time job. Not to mention the cost of care will escalate over time.

Moving into a retirement residence can not only alleviate the stress & many responsibilities you have, but it can offset the costs as well.

And whether money is an issue or not, if the retirement residence is managing all the moving parts for you and your family then you’ll have more time to spend with your parent and enjoy each other’s company v.s. always being consumed with the responsibilities of caring for them.

If you want to know more about retirement lifestyle communities, retirement residences, and the different options available, but you don’t know where to start, feel free to email or call me. 

I have vast experience helping seniors transition to retirement communities, but I don’t work for any of them. 

So, I’ll always provide honest & unbiased information and guidance for you and your loved ones.