After retirement, senior adults must make important and complex decisions. One of the biggest decisions many retirees face is whether they should keep their home or move to a senior living facility.
Where you live can directly impact your mental health and wellbeing, but there’s no one-size-fits-all approach for seniors. Here are some pros and cons of each choice to help you make the decision that’s right for you or your senior loved one.
Move to a community or keep your home?
Pros of moving to a community
Senior living communities are great options for seniors who no longer feel they can maintain their homes. If you’re wondering whether you’re ready to move on from your home, here are some benefits a senior living community provides:
● More social interactions. Senior living facilities provide a chance to meet new people and forge more social connections through different clubs, activities, and events within the community.
● Ability to downsize. When you move into a senior living community, you no longer have to worry about maintaining your home or paying property taxes, lightening the load of your responsibilities.
● Healthcare support. Healthcare is available at the touch of a button in most, if not all, senior living communities. This is especially important for seniors who have pre-existing conditions or have had any health scares as they’ve aged. This is also great for seniors who need supervision and nightly check-ins.
Cons of moving to a community
While there are many benefits of moving into a senior living community, there are some downsides to consider as well:
● Getting rid of belongings. When moving into a senior living facility, you typically have to downsize and part ways with some of your belongings. This sometimes means getting rid of sentimental objects you no longer have room for.
● Costly. Some senior living communities can be costly. Pricing, however, varies with each community. However, if you qualify, you might be able to receive Medicaid services.
● Less privacy. For seniors who have lived in single-family homes, many senior living communities may be initially unappealing as they are broken up into apartments.
Pros of keeping your home
If you decide to keep your home rather than move to a senior living community, you’ll reap the following benefits:
● Less of a hassle. By keeping your home, you can avoid the hassle of moving, as well as the cost in both time and money.
● Familiar area. Staying in a place you’re emotionally attached to can be comforting, especially if you’re near family or friends. This allows you to maintain bonds with neighbors and larger neighborhood organizations.
Cons of keeping your home
As you continue to age and keep your home, you may find yourself faced with a great many challenges, such as:
● Added expenses. Costs like hiring professionals to do what you used to be able to do yourself, like gardening and cleaning, can be costly. Additionally, you might have to add new features to your home to make it more senior-friendly, like interior chair lifts, walk-in tubs, or exterior ramps.
● Less excess to immediate healthcare or assistance. If you’re living at home, you won’t have the luxury of immediate access to medical help as you would in a senior living community.
● Isolation. Living in a home as a senior, especially if you’re alone, can be isolating, which takes a serious toll on your mental health.
● Stimulation. Living in a home can in many cases mean a lack in social stimulation. Fun and entertainment may be something that is non-existent for some living at home.
If you decide to leave your home, looking for the right senior living community can be a long and overwhelming process. Welcome Home Senior can help you find the best community to fit their needs and budget in the Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Collier, and Lee Counties. Contact us today to take the first step toward the next chapter in your life.