There’s really no place like home, and many seniors feel the same. It’s completely understandable that so many people want to grow older in the comfort of their own space. It feels more comfortable and secure, as they are more familiar with the setting.
However, some seniors also leave the comfort of their residence to relocate to a retirement village, where they can enjoy a more community-oriented lifestyle with access to tailored support and activities.
Both retirement living options bring advantages and drawbacks, and it would be best for you to think carefully about each aspect prior to making this major decision, whether or not to leave your residence and stay in a retirement village instead. Writing down your concerns can help you feel more confident about your final choice.
In this blog, we’ll explore the pros and cons of both options.
Deciding Where to Live as You Age: Home or Retirement Village?
Living at Home
The Benefits
- There’s nothing quite like the familiar comfort of your own home. The connection you share with your space and the memories it holds is something special and hard to let go of.
- It saves you from having to adjust to a whole new environment, making staying at home a more stable and comfortable option compared to moving into retirement living.
- It helps reduce feelings of sadness that can come with leaving your home behind. Moving out can be deeply upsetting, but staying allows you to avoid that emotional toll.
- You’re already part of the neighbourhood, the neighbours know you, and you know them. A quick chat over the fence or on the street is a familiar and comforting part of your day.
- Your home might already be in a convenient location, making it easier to get around town and stay connected with visiting family and close friends.
The Drawbacks
- As you get older, your body’s needs change, and the setup of your home might not keep up. Things like old rugs can become tripping hazards, and stairs that were once easy to climb will start to feel more challenging.
- Housekeeping can be a hassle, particularly if you have a big house, because your body is no longer as physically strong as it used to be.
- You may find yourself isolated from society when your family members and friends relocate elsewhere and their visits get less frequent. This situation can develop a feeling of loneliness, and it can negatively impact your physical and emotional well-being.
- You might lose the desire to cook, which can affect your overall nutrition.
Retirement living
The Pros
- The property is specifically designed to meet the demands of the elderly to guarantee their comfort and safety. There is a wide range of living options to choose from, including family-style homes, townhouses, villas, and flats.
- Retirement villages offer a wide variety of activities you can get involved in, from sports and hobbies to gardening and group outings. Some communities come with great facilities like fitness centres, indoor pools, libraries, tennis courts, and more.
- Many retirement villages provide healthcare support by having medical professionals on-site, so residents can get regular check-ups without needing to visit a hospital.
- Retirement villages help you build and maintain a fulfilling lifestyle through activities, friendships, and social events. Many organise regular gatherings both within the village and out in the community, like barbecues, movie nights, chess games, cultural programs, and more.
- You don’t have to stress about cooking and maintaining the house, because they also offer help with domestic tasks.
The Challenges
- The relocation process can feel overwhelming, especially if it’s been a long time since your last move. With so much to organise, you will need extra help from family or friends to get everything sorted.
- If the retirement village is far from where you used to live, you might feel a bit disconnected from loved ones at first, and it could take some time to build new friendships.
- After living in one place for a long time, it can be challenging to feel that same sense of connection in a new environment.
- Without checking carefully, you might end up paying more than expected in a retirement village. Take the time to learn about entry, ongoing, and exit fees. With this knowledge, you’ll be in a better position to choose the village that offers the best balance of lifestyle and affordability.
Conclusion
Deciding whether to move from your home to a retirement village really depends on your personal circumstances. Should you take retirement living into consideration, but still have some concerns about it, you can consult with the management to gain more insights and advice that can help you in decision-making.
It is highly recommended to visit different retirement villages where you can imagine yourself staying and get a concept of what it would be like to live there.
