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Choosing the Right Housing for Independent Senior Life

Choosing the Right Housing for Independent Senior Life


What are the right housing conditions for an independence-seeking senior? This is a tricky question. Most seniors live in their old house, and they don’t intend on leaving the place they grew fond of. But sometimes the upkeep or the daily chores are just too much for a recently widowed elderly, forcing them to change their living arrangement. And in case an aging couple intend on moving to a new place, what kind of housing should they seek? What about the rising trend of retirement communities, are they worth a shot too? We provide answer for these questions, as well some tips in case the seniors decide to stay in their home.

Independent living facilities

Also known as retirement communities or congregate care, independent living is a housing arrangement that caters to multiple groups of seniors. Ranging from apartments to freestanding homes, they are designed to make the everyday life of aging citizens easier. They usually have a compact layout, so the denizens don’t need to walk too much from one room to another, and the cleaning is easier as well. These are different from retirement homes, as the seniors are living on their own and take care of themselves.

Choosing the right housing for independent senior life

However, the houses are part of a community, and there are organized events offering quality R&R. Independent living facilities come in many shapes and flavors, and there are low-income variables too, for less wealthy seniors. It’s heavily emphasized that elders don’t receive regular assistance of any kind, and in case your beloved elder has problems, or needs constant medical supervision, then a nursing home or a hired caregiver is a more suiting choice.

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Home improvement and medical alert systems

Not every senior is overjoyed about the idea of leaving the place they got used to, refusing to budge even an inch. Reasoning with them is a lost cause, so it’s better to let them stay, and make the house safer for them. You can add automated lights that turn off when sensing movement, guaranteeing they won’t fall while searching for the switch. The bathroom is a hazardous place as well, and there numerous ways you can prevent accidents there, like adding a grab bar.

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The stairs are known to be the most dangerous places in a home, and we highly recommend purchasing a stair lift, which makes the floor-to-floor transportation safer. Last but not least, subscribe to a personal emergency service. Medical alert systems are wearable, yet invisible guardians, providing compassionate help at the touch of a button. Being connected to a professional help center increases the user’s confidence. The service offers additional equipment as well, like fire and CO detectors, or a fall detection pendant.


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