Why Active Seniors Should Move into Independent Living

Retirement can bring an expansive sense of life’s possibilities — now’s your chance to travel, volunteer, pursue hobbies and spend time with your grandkids. It may seem strange to consider moving to independent living in a senior living community. After all, you’re a young, active senior who’s just getting started living out your retirement dreams. Is it really time to move to a retirement community? Actually, yes. Independent living communities offer opportunities that support a rich, on-the-go retirement lifestyle, making it even easier for you to realize your retirement dreams.

Maintenance-Free Living

You’re free from the hustle and bustle of work, so why not liberate yourself from your household to-do list, as well? In a senior living community, maintenance, groundskeeping and housekeeping are provided, so instead of tending to the responsibilities of homeownership, you have time to focus on fulfilling your retirement dreams, while still enjoying a well-appointed home and beautiful surroundings. What’s more, with the maintenance-free lifestyle and 24/7 security you’ll find in a senior living community, you can enjoy worry-free travel knowing your home is taken care of while you’re gone.

Rightsized Home

As nests empty and priorities shift, it’s common to discover that the home you’ve been living in no longer fits your lifestyle. Rightsizing allows you to choose a residence that aligns with your retirement goals and simplifies your life. In a senior living community, a variety of floor plans, from one-bedroom to two-bedrooms with a den, give you the options you need to find a home that’s just right for you.

Health and Wellness Amenities

Regular physical activity is a key component of healthy aging. It’s linked to a reduced risk of falls, better cognitive health, lower risk of disease, and stronger bones and muscles – which support the ability to perform everyday activities as you get older. With amenities like a heated indoor pool, fitness center, fitness programs for seniors, paved walking paths and resident gardens, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to get the recommended 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity every week.

Social Connection

Retirement, for all its perks, can also be a time of increasing isolation and loneliness, as social circles shrink and grown children get busy with their own lives. Unfortunately, isolation is linked to numerous health concerns, including an increased risk of heart disease, stroke and dementia, and higher rates of depression and anxiety. The brimming social opportunities in a senior living community offer the perfect solution. Make new friends over a game of canasta, at the dog park, or in the creative arts studio. Or meet like-minded residents at organized social events, classes or movie night.

Delightful Dining

Even if you love to cook, it’s nice to know you have options. In independent living, you’ll have a fully equipped  kitchen for the times you feel like cooking, and access to multiple on-campus dining venues when you’d prefer to leave the work to someone else. Whether you choose fine dining or more casual fare, a chef-led culinary team provides made-from-scratch meals that please your palate and nourish your well-being.

A Plan for Life’s What-Ifs

You may not want to cloud the enjoyment of retirement with life’s more uncomfortable realities — such as the fact that 70% of 65-year-olds will eventually need some form of long-term care. But if you choose independent living in a Life Plan Community, you’ll find that, in addition to a vibrant lifestyle now, you’ve got a sound plan in case of future health setbacks. Life Plan Communities offer a continuum of care, which may include assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing and rehabilitation, so if your needs change, you can transition to a different level of care in the same community you’ve come to love.

An Independent Lifestyle at StoneRidge

In independent living at StoneRidge, you can enjoy all the perks of our vibrant community — such as multiple dining venues and cocktail lounges, a heated indoor saltwater pool, community gardens and a dog park – and the peace of mind of living in a Life Plan Community. Set on 32 acres, with access to hiking trails in Avalonia Land Trust, StoneRidge offers the perfect home base for an active retirement lifestyle. Contact us to learn more or to schedule a personal visit.