Senior Apartments: 8 Independent Living Services to Look For
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Are you approaching retirement? Perhaps you’ve passed that milestone and are now focused on new life goals. Wherever you are, you know there are a few decisions to make. One is where you’ll be living during your next chapter of life. Staying in your home is probably just one option you’re considering, but many adults lean toward downsizing to a smaller space with less maintenance and responsibilities.
Making a move into senior apartments like those found in independent living communities is one of the best solutions for many people at retirement. These communities not only reduce the burden of owning a home, including maintenance and upkeep, they also foster connections with others at the same stage of life and offer plenty of services and amenities that can enhance your lifestyle. Independent living is all about making your life easier and helping you do more things you enjoy.
But not every community is created equal. Some senior apartments and independent living communities offer more than others. When you’re researching your new home, these are the independent living services you should look for. Each of these services will help you simplify your life and make it easier for you to pursue the activities you enjoy most.
1. On-Site Dining
About this service
Independent living communities give residents more options for how they enjoy their meals than living in a private home. Residents can make meals in their own apartment kitchen or kitchenette, they can dine out (both options available when you own a home) or they can take part in on-site dining by eating their meals in the dining room. On-site dining options are a nice change and a service retirees often enjoy in communities.
Why you might need it
Even if you enjoy cooking, you might equally enjoy days off from kitchen duty. You love the idea of heading down to the dining room for a delicious meal you didn’t have to prepare yourself. Plus, dining options reduce cooking and transportation needs, since you don’t need to make as many trips to the grocery store.
On-site dining services are not only a popular amenity, they’re an important part of an active lifestyle. When you can gather with your family and friends as well as neighbors and new residents, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to meet new people, swap stories, share laughs and plan group activities that keep you active.
2. Community Security
About this service
Security is important for those who live alone and those in communities. In most cases, adults who move to communities do so because they feel more secure in a place with additional security measures. For instance, some retirement communities have gated access, while others have on-site security personnel. Typically, communities feature entryways that lock after office hours or are locked 24/7. Other security features might include level outdoor walkways, outdoor sensor lighting and indoor hallway handrails.
Why you might need it
Having a secure community ensures peace of mind. When you know the buildings have controlled access, you know that unauthorized people cannot enter the campus. Apart from secure buildings, having safety features in place ensures not only your personal safety but the safety of your new neighbors.
3. Transportation Services
About this service
While some communities provide parking areas for residents, nearly all provide transportation services as part of the monthly fee. Transportation services might include scheduled group outings or grocery and shopping trips. Some services are more individualized for doctor and medical appointments.
Why you might need it
Most group transportation is to keep you and your neighbors engaged. That means trips are scheduled to the theater, plays, parks and other area attractions that you might otherwise not get to own your own. It can also help you run errands without the stress of driving. Whether traveling by day or by night, in bad weather or good, you’re able to sit back and enjoy the ride.
4. Events and Programs
About this service
Independent living is about being more active and doing more with your retirement. To help make that easier, many communities and 55+ apartments have a monthly calendar of events. They also have activity programs that vary from community to community. Events might include book clubs, day trips to local area attractions or on-site entertainment. Programs might include fitness classes and movie nights or special activity rooms for woodworking or crafts.
Why you might need it
Having access to events and programs lets you take part in the greater community. You can pick and choose which activities you want to join, making it easier for you to spend your days following your passions. Events and programs also give you opportunities to try new things, discovering interests and skills you never knew you had that make your retirement more engaging and fun.
5. Outdoor Activities
About this service
The best communities aren’t just about comfortable accommodations and independent living services alone. They’re also about the on-site amenities, including outdoor activity areas for residents. Outdoor areas might include gardening plots, walking paths and landscaped courtyards you can spend the day in.
Why you might need it
Outdoor access is important for good health. Whether you enjoy gardening, walking or sitting outside to enjoy the sunshine, you’ll gain many benefits from being outdoors. Outdoor areas are also maintained by the community, so you can enjoy time outside without worrying about pulling weeds, mowing the lawn or watering plants – all activities that can become more difficult as you get older.
6. Housekeeping or Laundry Services
About this service
Very few people enjoy vacuuming or doing laundry. Those and other similar tasks are all necessary chores, but after you retire you would probably prefer to spend your time other ways. Communities make that possible with housekeeping and laundry services. Housekeeping services could include tasks like sweeping the floor, vacuuming or bathroom cleaning. It can also include weekly laundry services. The helpers might be community team members or they might work from a contracted separate service.
Why you might need it
Many people don’t want to put their bodies through the physical strain of housekeeping and laundry. But even if you’re not worried about your abilities, the majority of people enjoy housekeeping and laundry services because they free up time from mundane tasks.
7. Guest Accommodations
About this service
Some adult living communities let guests stay on the premises overnight or for short stays. The accommodations might be in a separate building or separate wing, or an apartment kept free just for that purpose. Other communities let guests stay in the resident’s apartment. The guest accommodation service varies widely from community to community.
Why you might need it
Family is important! You love family visits, so you’ll want to continue spending time with kids, grandkids and other family members after you move to your new home. When your family stays on-site with you, it makes it easier for you to enjoy meals and activities together. In most communities, family and friends are welcome to join in scheduled activities and programs as your guest as well.
8. Concierge Services
About this service
On-site concierge services help residents find restaurants or activities, making reservations or scheduling beauty and barber appointments. It might also include a grocery shop, a stationery and mail supplies shop or another service.
Why you might need it
While you’ll have transportation services for all your errands, you might appreciate on-site service that lets you quickly find a new restaurant or activity off-site to enjoy, especially if you don’t have to book the appointment yourself. Concierge services are also a great source of knowledge that can help introduce you to new activities and places you wouldn’t have thought to try on your own.
Independent Living Services at The Lodge
The allure of independent living comes from reducing the responsibilities of homeownership and gaining access to amenities and services that make retirement easier and more fun.
The Lodge offers a number of premier independent living services in Columbus, Georgia. From independent living to assisted living and memory care, The Lodge has an accommodation for your needs with a full array of amenities to choose from. You can take a virtual tour of our community to see our beautiful one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments or villas with their own garage.
For more information on our independent living homes, contact us. Our team members will be happy to give you more details and answer any questions you have.
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