3 Benefits To Living In A Retirement Community

Let's face it, we all dream of one day escaping the hassles of the daily grind and retiring. Unfortunately, once we finally have this luxury, we find the grass is not always greener. In this country, it has been ingrained in our psyche that in order to be successful, useful and appreciated, we must constantly be in a state of "action", progressing from one task to the next. When we are finally given the opportunity to slow down and enjoy the world around us, we find we are restless, bored and even agitated. We look for things to occupy our time, such as traveling to see family and friends or looking for social groups to join. However, just because we are not reporting to the office anymore, does not mean we do not have other obligations tying us down..."If we travel for two weeks to visit the kids, who will watch the house?"; "I wanted to go on vacation to Florida next month, but my roof is leaking?"; "How can I get to the senior center when my car broke down?"; etc...

We see the ads for retirement communities, but we say, "We are not ready for that yet...we are too independent", but do we really know what retirement communities can offer? Looking for a retirement community does require us to do some homework and ask the right questions, but there can be many benefits. Below are three benefits to living in a retirement community:

1) Freedom-That's right, I said freedom. Many retirement communities offer cottages and apartments for monthly fees that include not only most of your utilities, but maintenance, housekeeping and landscaping. This allows you to budget the money you have saved back for retirement, knowing how much your bills will be without unexpected surprises. You can take the trip around the country to visit the kids and grand kids, knowing not only how much money you truly have, but knowing if the water heater goes out well you are gone, it will be taken of. Your home, your yard, your belongings are being cared for and watched over, so you can be free to enjoy yourself. Plus, there are retirement communities that no longer require endowments or conversions of assets, you simply sign a 12-month lease, pay a one month deposit and move in without having to try and come up with some huge lump sum payment.

2) Living-There are many studies out there today that prove, "if you don't use it, you lose it". If you want to enjoy the retirement you have dreamed of and earned, then you have to be engaged. You have to stay active. Many retirement communities not only offer a variety of social groups and activities, but today the amenities can include, fitness room, billiards, Nintendo Wii, stocked ponds, wood working shops, pottery rooms, libraries, onsite banking, some even have a pool or computer lab for you to enjoy. It is important to remember, "you are only as old as you feel" and when you are isolated from friends and not engaging physically and mentally, you are more susceptible to feeling depressed, tired...basically, old.

3) Security-This is two-fold when looking at retirement communities. Not only do you have the peace-of-mind that most retirement communities have staff on-site 24 hours a day, but most also have various communities within the campus capable of assisting you should your needs progress. No one wants to lose their independence, but it is nice to know that there are communities out there that value your freedom as much as you do and they are willing to offer you options such as: home health, assisted living, rehabilitation, memory care and should the time come skilled nursing. It allows you to enjoy the independence of your retirement, without worrying about what might happen.

By: Courtney Koverman

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BrookHaven knows living well is having the freedom to enjoy the independence of your retirement. Visit retirement community today! www.brookhavenoh.org to take a virtual tour, or schedule an in-person tour of our retirement community today!