If you are looking to “rightsize” your retirement, moving to a senior living community offers benefits you just can’t get if your only focus is finding an apartment with maximum square footage.
In her book RightSizing: A Smart Living Guide to Reinventing Retirement, Kathy Gottberg defines “rightsizing” as “the conscious choice to create a life and a lifestyle that more sustainably aligns with your unique self in the best possible way at every stage.” In essence, you can create a more fulfilling life by making changes to align your lifestyle — the way you spend your time, energy and money — with your highest priorities and values.
Many senior living communities offer studio and one-bedroom apartments. For many older adults, this offers plenty of space to personalize yet still access what they came to the community for in the first place – opportunities for socialization and caring support. Although it may seem counterintuitive, downsizing to a smaller space can actually help seniors lead a more fulfilling, “upsized” lifestyle that offers myriad benefits, including:
- More free time. Home upkeep can be stressful and costly, but senior living apartments offer a more streamlined space that is easier to clean and maintain, giving residents more time to spend however they like. Seniors seeking an active lifestyle will benefit from a community’s on-site health and wellness programs, while those who prioritize friendship will appreciate the social aspects of joining a community. Seniors looking to spend more time on their personal hobbies will enjoy having access to activities, clubs, classes, lectures and events designed to satisfy many interests.
- More practical space. Apartments at senior living communities feature just the right amount of space for residents to choose the furniture and decor that means the most to them. A rightsized space also helps seniors to physically navigate a space more easily, while the streamlined aesthetics of the new space can help reduce stress. Move-in coordinators can help ease the relocation process by providing a detailed floor plan with measurements to help seniors visualize how to decorate their new home.
- Supportive care services. At senior living communities, residents have access to a range of health care and healthcare tools if, and when, they need it, including fitness equipment, a personalized care plan, and healthcare services. These benefits can be especially helpful for senior homeowners who find it too costly to hire a home health aide, or who would simply like the peace of mind access to 24/7 care can provide.
- Choose how you live. At communities like ours, residents spend most of their time at activities, gathering with friends in common areas, dining venues and venturing out into the community at large. While they can engage with their neighbors when they choose to, residents also have the option to retreat to their private residence for some quiet time. One resident recently told us, “I enjoy my apartment so I can relax, but if I want company, I simply have to open my door and catch up with someone walking by. Or I can venture out to find others. I have everything I need here.”
By rightsizing to a smaller space, seniors who sell their home and move to a senior lifestyle community get so much more than just an apartment. Communities like Jackson Creek Senior Living provide welcoming common spaces for residents to gather with friends, spacious dining venues to share meals and conversation, a robust schedule of social, cultural and educational activities, and more. With all this at their fingertips, residents come to see that living space size is just a portion of the equation for happiness and that sometimes smaller is better.
Considering a move for yourself or a loved one? Call 719-259-1331 or contact us online to learn more about our studio and one-bedroom residences and how Jackson Creek Senior Living can help to “rightsize” your retirement.
