Many seniors wonder if it is the right choice for them to continue living at home or move into a senior living community. While most seniors aged 65 and above would prefer to stay at home, there are certainly benefits to moving into an independent living or assisted living community. Although the familiar environment may serve as some comfort to seniors, it is often less expensive and more manageable for them to downsize and live in a community built especially for residents who are in the same stage of life. Let us compare the cost of retiring at home or in a community to give you a better idea of how to plan for your retirement life.
Consider Your Needs
Knowing how much you currently spend on your lifestyle is a good way to gauge how much you need to spend to maintain the quality of life. Consider your circumstances and needs, such as whether you need an in-home caregiver to assist in daily living activities or round-the-clock care. If you have a partner, you will also need to consider their needs to plan for an affordable retirement life. For some, they only need some light housekeeping work done, such as cleaning, cooking, and laundry. For others, they need more assistance, such as dressing, feeding, medication reminders, meal planning, washing up, and transportation to medical appointments. The cost of these services would differ depending on whether you live at home or in a community.
Home Upgrades
As people grow older, there needs to be special accommodation put in place to make it easier for the seniors to move around their home. While homes in a senior living community are already designed with the needs of the elderly in mind, seniors who choose to live at home will have to have home upgrades to ensure their safety and comfort. Such home upgrades may include wheelchair ramps, walk-in showers and tubs, non-slip flooring, lever-style doorknobs, handrails and grab bars, and wider doorways. If your current home is more spacious than what is necessary, it might be a good idea to take the opportunity to downsize and move into a community where homes are easier for seniors to move in, clean, maintain, and manage.
Health and Wellness
How active do you want to be in your senior years? With community living, seniors get to enjoy a wide range of activities together with other residents, such as fitness programs, support groups, nutrition planning, social outings, gym membership, and various classes. These will come at an extra cost if you choose to live at home.
Consider Conservatory At North Austin
If you are considering independent living in Austin, TX, look no further than Conservatory At North Austin. We provide concierge-level services and a wide selection of activities to keep our residents engaged and active. Feel free to contact us today to learn more.
