If you’ve been entertaining the idea of moving to a senior living community, the COVID-19 pandemic may have put those thoughts on hold. Most older adults spent much of 2020 trying to self-isolate and avoid exposure to the coronavirus. While a necessary safety precaution, it left some seniors feeling lonely and a little blue.

As a new year begins, it’s an ideal time to start or resume your search and learn more about the benefits of senior living communities. From healthy meals to a rich variety of social activities and wellness programs, here’s what older adults should know.

7 Benefits of Moving to a Senior Living Community

1. Variety of lifestyle activities: From charity bingo to art workshops and music appreciation, senior living communities offer a wide range of lifestyle activities. Even during the difficult times of the COVID-19 pandemic, residents have a myriad of possibilities for staying socially engaged while maintaining a safe physical distance.
2. On-site wellness programs: Quality-driven senior living communities place great importance on resident well-being. They offer daily fitness programs, such as chair yoga, sunshine walks, Senior Fit, and more. You’ll also find opportunities to nurture your mental health, such as gardening, meditation, and breathing classes.
3. Healthy dining: Senior living communities often have chefs that make the dining experience healthy and enjoyable. Nourishing, diverse menu options make it easier and more enticing to eat well-balanced meals. For older adults who live alone and aren’t interested in cooking, moving to a senior living community often results in improved nutrition.
4. Maintenance-free living: If you have been living alone or with a spouse in a private residence, you know how burdensome and time-consuming home ownership can be. With a move to a senior living community, you leave those worries behind. No more struggling to find contractors and repair people. Every household task, from lawn care to trash removal, is handled for you.
5. Flexible care options: While an older adult might choose to move to a senior living community when they are still active and independent, needs can change as you age. Because most communities offer several different types of care, seniors and their loved ones can have peace of mind knowing they can age in place.
6. Transportation services: Another convenient service that residents at senior living communities can take advantage of is transportation. When the COVID-19 pandemic is over, you’ll find most communities have regular schedules for lunch out at restaurants, shopping, pharmacies, and other requested stops. In addition, you can typically request transportation to private appointments (i.e., to the doctor or dentist) and for personal outings.
7. Expanded circle of friends: Seniors frequently find their social circle growing smaller after retirement. Friends may relocate to be near their adult children. Work friends might drift apart once they no longer have daily contact. Making new friends can be tougher for older adults. Senior living communities help change that. Residents often have much in common with one another and have many informal opportunities to build bonds.

Visit a Clearwater Living Community Near You

We invite you to set up a time to visit a Clearwater Living community near you, whether in person or virtually. It will give you an opportunity to see firsthand our innovative approach to resident services and community design. You’ll also have a chance to learn more about programs like Savor Dining. Call the community nearest you today!