In the senior care community, there has been growing discussion around a new type of residential facility: active adult living. This comes in addition to a couple of other care facilities that you are probably more familiar with, including independent living and assisted living.

Each of these types of facilities has been designed to provide the right balance of care and independence that a senior both needs and prefers.

  • Independent living is focused on providing a residential situation that requires no maintenance; meals, laundry, housekeeping, and transportation are all taken care of.
  • Assisted living provides all of these same amenities, but also offers on-site care, which can vary greatly depending on the individual needs of the resident.

Active adult living communities are gaining in popularity because people are living longer and want to maintain their autonomy. There is something of a stigma around living in a senior care center, and many individuals do not want others to make all of their decisions for them. Instead, these are essentially gated facilities (so safety is not a concern) where the grounds are maintained and there are plenty of activities to do. Instead of having to buy a property, where it is assumed you will live out the rest of your days, you are able to rent by the month.

There are a number of other benefits that come with active adult living communities.

An excuse to do more of what you enjoy

Active adult living is conducive to helping individuals use their golden years to do the things that they enjoy, whether that is golfing, meeting with friends, or enjoying time outside in nice weather. Most facilities have restaurants and theaters on-site, so there is no stress of traveling.

A strong community environment

There are a lot of different types of active adult living communities, that are all centered around different personal interests. Some are really geared toward certain types of health and wellness activities, so it all depends on what an individual is interested in and looking for.

The ability to retain independence

In active living communities, the homes have all been designed with the ease and comfort of seniors in mind. However, having convenience does not mean that you have to give up your autonomy. There are no set itineraries for the day or people that will be monitoring your activities. Instead, you are just free to enjoy your life.

With all of the benefits that active adult living communities offer, it is likely that they will only continue to gain popularity in the years to come.

 

Photo by Andre Ouellet on Unsplash