Many if not most seniors want to ‘age in place’ at home. But doing so prevents them from moving on and actually enjoying their golden years to the fullest.

Dr. John Claude is a geriatrician with over 15 years of experience helping seniors.

Key Points

• 85% of Americans over age 65 would like to live in their current homes as long as possible.
• But doing so prevents them from moving on and actually enjoying their golden years to the fullest.
• Retirement and nursing homes provide an array of services, activities and important social connections.

Seniors all want to age in place, say experts. A recent AARP report shows that 85% of respondents 65 or older wish to stay in their current residences as long as possible.

But the question is why? And is it really worth it?

Of course action is easier than inaction. Staying at home may make seniors feel more at ease – as their “good old selves” among surroundings they are accustomed to. But this usually creates two situations which are problematic.

FIRST: A burden is actually placed upon the children or other family members of the senior. Very important questions need to be asked especially to those without children about such things as who will fill critical roles to help them age at home. These roles include decision-makers for health issues, drivers to doctor appointments if clients are ill or injured, household helpers for routine home maintenance and friends for regular socialization. Often times, these are taking over by the children and family members themselves which creates unnecessary tensions, additional work and a burden on the lives of everyone.

SECOND: Are seniors really more happy at home? When seniors age at home, they are slowly left to themselves and become isolated. They attend social gatherings less frequently and slow down their physical activity. They attend events less frequently and usually end up watching TV most of the time and relying on food and drink as their source of entertainment.

Choose a retirement or nursing home and you’ll be happier!

That’s right! Seniors believe that moving into a retirement or nursing home is the beginning of the end. But that is 100% wrong. In fact the earlier you make the decision to leave your old house and move, the better. Studies have shown that most seniors who move into a retirement home believe they should have moved in earlier and not have waited so long. With all the activities offered such as art and crafts, music, dancing, games, sports, excursions, outings etc. – it’s the beginning of a whole new better chapter of a senior’s life. A second life connected to a community where seniors can experience rich daily social connections that can enhance aging and make life worth living again.

More stories to follow:

Here’s a look at other stories offering a financial angle on important lifetime milestones.

• 55% of Americans are behind on saving for retirement

“A lot of the [retirement-related] conversations we have with clients are around the non-financial aspects,” said Jason Siperstein, CFP and president of Eliot Rose Wealth Management in West Warwick, Rhode Island. “You can’t talk about money without talking about life.

“You can’t separate the two.”

He refers clients to aging-in-place resources, such as Medicare brokers, discounted prescription drug services and a personal concierge service that does a wide variety of errands and handyman services. Sipirstein also instructs clients on how to use Zoom and rideshare apps such as Uber and Lyft.

But life gets a lot less complicated if you move in a retirement or nursing home and let specialists take care of everything – while you take care of enjoying your golden years.

Watch now:

Americans think you need $1.7 million to retire comfortably—here’s how much you need to save each month to get there by 65.

He encourages clients to build maintenance and financial teams and modify their homes five to 10 years before their estimated need, to avoid later disruption.

Living outside a retirement or nursing home means you need to think about and deal with:

• Licensed professional advocates who help with health management and advocacy and can act as health-care proxies for clients who have no local friends or family
• Local Area Agencies on Aging and community senior centers — non-profit agencies that help people navigate local resources
• Local senior transportation programs
• Home modification companies

None of us knows when that event might happen that will cause us to suddenly need help. When should people start this kind of planning? “The sooner, the better,” “None of us knows when that event might happen that will cause us to suddenly need help.”

“Another very important question to consider is, ‘Do you trust your decision-maker to do what you want if your situation changes?’” said Patti B. Black, CFP and partner at Bridgeworth Financial Management in Birmingham, Alabama. “Would they be influenced by different financial ramifications?”

9 advantages of living in a retirement or nursing community:

What are some of the benefits of living in a retirement community? Well, here are 9 unique advantages to consider:

1. Independence

Retiring doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice the things you love to do. In fact, as a member of a retirement community, you are encouraged to expand your interests and engage in even more self-guided activities.

2. Safety

Safety comes in many different forms in a retirement community. This includes on-premise security, financial stability, and personal health. Retirement communities are designed to ensure your well-being is cared for in all areas, providing you with a safe and happy place to spend your days.

3. Support

Whether you’re looking for a shoulder to cry on or a chess challenger, you’ll have no shortage of people to talk to and connect with when living in a retirement community.

4. More Free Time

Isn’t it time you let someone else handle the heavy lifting? Leave maintenance tasks to the professionals. Your only job as a retirement community member is to spend your time doing whatever it is you feel like doing!

5. Forget About the Commute

Retirement communities are usually well located within walking distance of dozens of useful amenities, including shops, restaurants, parks and commercial areas. Getting out and about is always easy, so you never have to worry about feelings of isolation or boredom.

6. Stay Active

Who says you have to slow down once you retire? Now’s the perfect time to pick up a new hobby or reintroduce yourself to a forgotten past time. From hiking and biking to craft groups and book clubs, keep your mind and your body active with help from the retirement community.

7. Less Stress

Retirement communities are designed to provide you with a warm and welcoming place to call home. Safe and secure, our properties can eliminate the worries that come from living alone or having to maintain a household.

8. A Sense of Belonging

Psychological health is just as important as physical health, especially as we age. Retirement community residents quickly find themselves integrated into a loving family that’s focused on mutual acceptance and friendly encouragement. Through regularly socialization and interaction with other residents, you’ll quickly grow to feel right at home in your new surroundings.

9. Great Accommodations

Retirement communities boast some of the best accessible housing on the market, providing elderly and aging residents with tons of room to grow and entertain. Beautifully designed and efficiently engineered, retirement communities offer the perfect mix of personality and functionality.

Article Source: https://careproper.com/why-seniors-should-not-stay-and-age-in-place-at-home-but-instead-choose-a-retirement-or-nursing-home/