Sooner or later, most retirees wonder if it’s better to remain living in the family home or move to a senior living community. While not the easiest decision to make, there are some essential questions to answer that can make choosing between moving to a senior living community and staying at home a little easier.

Do you live alone?

Living alone in the family home may provide a sense of familiarity but over time being alone can have negative consequences. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s article, “Loneliness and Social Isolation Linked to Serious Health Conditions”, loneliness and isolation among seniors is fast becoming a public health risk.

Among the impacts of loneliness and isolation are:

• A 50% increased risk of dementia.
• A 29% increased risk of heart disease.
• A 32% increased risk of stroke.

In senior living, however, there is no shortage of opportunities for socialization nearby. Each day there are new things to do, trips and classes, entertainment, and a welcoming community to enjoy them with.

Do you need daily care or assistance?

For seniors living at home, getting the care and assistance they need, when they need it, can become trying. Help with dressing or bathing, medication management, housekeeping and home maintenance, and trips to appointments and shopping can quickly become a burden to family and friends who really want to help, but just don’t have the time to get it all done.

This is where senior living far outshines living at home because there is always someone there to help. No matter how much or how little help is required, friendly and compassionate team members can be by your side as needed, 24/7/365.

Find out more in our blog, “When At-Home Care Is and Isn’t a Good Choice for Seniors.”

Are you getting proper nutrition?

Aging can also influence diet, making it difficult to get all the nutrition needed to stay healthy. For some, cooking tasty and healthful meals can become a chore, but other problems arise when it is an ordeal to just get to the grocery store. And for many, as well, special diets an make it even more challenging, as do some medications and eating problems like trouble swallowing.

Today, however, senior living communities offer chef-prepared meals that make TV dinners look pretty bad. Senior living meals are created with seniors in mind and are not only nutritious but often rival the fare in fining dining restaurants. For those with special dietary needs or problems eating they can rest assured their meals will be prepared accordingly. If you’re not sure about your own nutrition the eatright.org article, “Special Nutrient Needs of Older Adults,” can help you decide.

Are you safe at home?

Seniors living at home can face a wide variety of safety risks, especially if they are alone. With falls at the top of the list, other potential risks include fires and burns, choking, and for those with memory concerns, wandering away from home and getting hurt or lost. In addition, there are safety concerns associated with driving as well as those that are weather related such as snow and ice.

Residents of senior living communities, however, have the peace of mind knowing they are in the safest possible place. Senior living communities are designed and built to create an accessible environment where seniors can move easily from one area to another throughout. Also great is the special care taken in bathrooms to make them safe for seniors, including those with mobility issues. To get safely around town, many senior living communities also provide free transportation from door to door.

Learn more in our blog, “We’ve Got Your Back: Safety & Security in a Senior Living Community.”

Thrive Senior Living communities are dedicated to making life as carefree and fun as possible without all the worries of living at home. To learn more, download our Senior Living Options guide. Learn more about Thrive’s communities, housing choices and amenities by contacting us today!