What are the Pros and Cons of Senior Living?
For many older adults, the decision to move into a senior living community can be challenging one to make. On the one hand, these communities offer an extensive range of amenities and services that can significantly enhance their quality of life. But, on the other hand, it means moving out of your house and other potential downsides.
So what are the pros and cons of senior living? At BC Seniors Living Association (BCSLA), we ensure quality choice for seniors throughout British Columbia to help them confidently make an informed decision about what’s best for themselves or someone they love.
We’re sharing the advantages and disadvantages you can expect when deciding whether senior living in British Columbia is the right choice for you.
Senior Living Communities: Pros
Maintenance-Free Living
As a homeowner, you’re responsible for all of the upkeep, repairs, and maintenance that a house requires. This means updating appliances or out-of-date furniture, unclogging drains, and completing home improvements – plus mowing the lawn, pulling weeds, and shovelling the driveway.
Fortunately, senior living communities take care of these tasks for you. Whether a broken faucet or a light bulb that needs to be replaced, you can rest assured that you won’t have to waste any valuable time doing it yourself.
Amenities and Social Opportunities
Aging in place means you’re able to stay in your current home and enjoy all the comfort and memories you’ve curated over the years. However, it can be difficult to ensure you’re engaging in the right activities or hobbies to receive enrichment, social opportunities, and wellness improvements.
Amenities are the on-site perks offered right outside your doorstep. Think about the last time you stayed at a hotel or resort. Did you have access to an on-site gym? A swimming pool? Walking trails? Those were the offered amenities that you were free to use as a guest.
Senior living amenities are no different, and are put in place to provide a sense of purpose and wellness for residents. Whether an individual wants to pursue a fitness journey, explore new passions or hobbies, or even relax at a salon or spa, amenities serve as the tools to help residents make the most of their lifestyle.
Security and Independence
Moving to a senior living community can give you a sense of independence while also providing the peace of mind that support and assistance are available should you ever need it.
Senior living communities often feature apartment-style living spaces, so you can enjoy your own private home with plenty of neighbours close by. Whether you want to enjoy a social visit with fellow residents or the assurance that you have plenty of friendly faces around you, this is a major advantage for those who worry about living alone.
Senior Living Communities: Cons
Downsizing Your Current Home
The process of moving to a new home is stressful enough; packing belongings, hiring movers to lift heavy furniture, and organizing all the excess clutter that might have accumulated over the years.
For many older adults, the word “downsizing” itself might sound daunting. When you’ve lived in your current home for decades, you’ve collected and kept so many meaningful memories in the forms of photo albums, heirlooms, and other things that have been passed down through generations.
However, downsizing doesn’t have to be a challenge – there are many ways for older adults to easily downsize their current homes and take stock of their possessions.
By starting small and committing to spending at least an hour a day going through your belongings, you’ll be surprised as you end up tackling more and getting into a groove.
Uncertainty
Life is full of changes as we age. The conversation around senior living can be a difficult one to have, whether we’re considering the move for ourselves or a family member. There are also many misconceptions and stereotypes that surround senior living that tend to deter people from considering it.
However, the reality is senior living communities in British Columbia offer freedom and enriching experiences that allow individuals to grow, spend their time focusing on the things that they love, and form new connections.
This is the mission that surrounds what we do at BCSLA. We’re proud to have a part in reshaping how senior living communities are operated, managed, and understood by the public. Of course, any new living situation can be scary, but when you dive deeper into what the pros and cons of senior living really are, you’ll find that the positives outweigh any of the possible negatives.
If you are considering senior living, we encourage you to view our member directory and find a senior living community in British Columbia that can help you lead a safe and fulfilling retirement.
