The prospect of retirement is often viewed as a time of happiness without all the worries and responsibilities of raising children and holding down a career. But for seniors who live at home, retirement can be pretty disappointing when they still have to spend so much time maintaining the house and not have enough time seeking happiness. Before choosing life at home over a move to senior living, consider all the ways happiness is included in the senior living package.
Happiness = Independence
Seniors often put independence at the top of their wish list for their golden years, but when saddled with all the responsibilities of homeownership, it can be elusive. Traveling requires someone to keep an eye on things at home, maintenance and repair often can’t wait and dictate schedules, and the associated costs can sap funds that were meant for enjoying life. In short, independence at home may not include happiness after all.
In senior living, however, all the chores, costs and pains associated with living at home vanish and are replaced with a sense of freedom and independence that is hard to beat. Seniors who join a senior living community have full-time security for their home as well as on-call maintenance and repair inside and outside so even when something goes wrong it doesn’t slow them down or cost them a fortune. For a deeper look, check out our blog, “Benefits of Living In A Community vs Staying In Your Home.”
Happiness = A healthy lifestyle
Health and happiness go hand-in-hand and in retirement, seniors can have both if they adopt a healthy lifestyle like that in top senior living communities like The Lodge at Stephens Lake. For example, as noted in our blog, “What Is Independent Living?,” an emphasis on exercise and wellness should be a part of everyday life from activities to meals to events and excursions. Having the support of friends and staff can also help seniors reach fitness goals, gain self-confidence, and achieve a lifetime of health and happiness.
Download our “Staying at Home vs. Senior Living” guide
Happiness = Fulfillment
Fulfillment is another aspect of retirement that can bring happiness on many levels. For some seniors, seeking knowledge through life-long education is a preferred option, while other seniors start new hobbies or renew old interests they once enjoyed. But for many seniors, happiness and fulfillment come through giving back. As described in our blog, “The Link between Volunteering and Happiness in Seniors”, volunteering is not only good for those in need, but seniors who volunteer reap plenty of benefits as well including better mental and physical health, improved balance and mobility and lower the risk of dementia.
Happiness = Quality time
Time is always of the essence, but never so much as in later life. Thanks to all the services and amenities offered in senior living, residents have more quality time than they ever dreamed possible and plenty of fun and engaging ways to make the most of it. Whether that means spending more quality time with family and friends, traveling for a few days or a few months, or participating in everything the community has to offer (think activities, events and excursions), just knowing time is finally available, no strings attached, can be very freeing and uplifting. For an in-depth look at what to expect from luxury communities like The Lodge at Stephens Lake our blog, “Amenities Count: Comfort and Convenience in Today’s Senior Living Communities,” spells it out.
Happiness = Companionship
It may not happen right away, but as time goes on in retirement, many seniors find themselves spending more time alone than with friends and peers. The reasons vary from the loss of a spouse or partner to friends moving away to transportation limitations or other physical or cognitive health limitations. Any can limit socialization and speed up isolation and, when this happens, seniors can suffer a range of debilitating health problems described in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention article, “Loneliness and Social Isolation Linked to Serious Health Conditions.”
In every level of senior living at The Lodge at Stephens Lake, residents have continuous opportunities to make new friends, spend time with peers and reap the benefits of a full and vibrant life without the threats of loneliness and isolation. For more reasons to make socialization a priority, take a moment to read our blog, “How Social Connections Increase Happiness in Older Adults.”
Happiness can often be hard to sustain in retirement, but at The Lodge at Stephens Lake we go the extra mile to make life fun, fulfilling and happy every day. Download our “Staying at Home vs. Senior Living” guide then contact us to learn more and schedule a tour.
