Is It Too Early to Consider Senior Living? Why Starting Your Search Sooner Matters

“Plan senior living early,” they say.

Wonder why you should look that far down the road? After all, your life’s pretty good right now, yes? And it just doesn’t seem like a bridge you need to cross because you’re simply not there yet. Maybe later, you think.

Here’s a curious fact: In just about every senior living community, you’ll find people who’ll tell you in all sincerity that they wish they’d moved sooner. It’s truly a paradox: People usually think they’re not ready, but once they make the move, they wish they’d moved sooner.

Why Start Planning Senior Living Early?

The truth is, starting early gives you more options, less stress, and greater peace of mind. Instead of rushing into a decision during a time of need, you get to explore, ask questions, and make a choice on your own terms. That includes exploring which level of care might be right for you — whether that’s the independence of independent living, the added daily support of assisted living, or the specialized attention of memory care.

You may be thinking over your post-retirement options — motor home, lake house, condo with a view, the city where your grandchildren live, or the ex-pat community in Costa Rica. Or perhaps you’re thinking you’ll stick with your familiar, beloved neighborhood and happily live out your days visiting your favorite restaurants, golfing and watching the weekly landscaping crew. You’ve got time, you think, before you’ll need to concern yourself with limited mobility and other aging-related health issues.

A senior living community? You’re not ready for that, you say. You’re too young.

But what is it you think you’re not ready for?

When Should You Start Looking at Senior Living?

There’s no harm in checking out the senior living communities in your area — even when you’re not sure yet what you want to do with your post-working years. Visit communities to explore what they look and feel like on the inside and what they offer. Keep your ears peeled during your tours and you may even discover what it is that prompts residents to say they wish they’d moved in sooner — how they realized they were readier than they thought.

7 Benefits of a Senior Living Community: Are You Ready for These?

And then, again, think through what you’re ready for:

1. Are you ready for all-around convenience? Home maintenance — indoors and out — is included, and a concierge-like attention to the details of daily life clears your way to live with fewer bothers. The entire community is well maintained on your behalf, with almost everything you need close by. In short, this is easy living for people whose day planners are full.
2. Are you ready for friendship? Expect a community to be filled with like-minded and differently-minded people — a rich milieu of people for a fascinating array of social circles. You’ll surely make new friends, and many of them are friends you’ll want to introduce your old friends to. Picture yourself embarking on the adventure of growing your friendship network!
3. Are you ready to enrich your well-being? It’s healthy living served on a platter, with fitness, education, good food and socialization all woven into the fabric of community daily life — convenient and easily accessible.
4. Are you ready for exceptional, healthy dining prepared for you? While you’re certainly free to busy yourself with favorite recipes in your independent living residence’s kitchen, the community already offers you a restaurant-like dining experience with seasonal menus, fresh and local ingredients, and highly skilled culinary and service staff. It’s all there every day for you. And remember, because the community is your home, the dining room is also your dining room, and you can count on your tastes and preferences being respected. The kitchen team will remember your special dietary needs — right down to how you take your coffee or tea.
5. Are you ready to grow? Yes, you can grow here. A wealth of classes and programs will entertain and educate, and your interaction with other residents will enrich you beyond measure. Personal growth is a given.
6. Are you ready to feel the support of a caring community? It’s the most wonderful thing — knowing you can count on other residents, the staff and management. A community shares the sadness and celebrates the joys, and every person matters.
7. Are you ready for freedom? All the benefits of community living contribute to the core strategy of freeing you to indulge in more of the life you want to live. Got the bug to travel? A community watches your residence while you’re away. Need more family time? A community accommodates visitors and will probably “adopt” your grandchildren. Would you like more uninterrupted time for your hobbies and interests? A community can support that, too, often providing dedicated space and team members to assist, teach and inspire. In a senior living community, you’re likely to find that you’re as free as you could ever be to pursue your joy. Are you ready?

How to Get Started

Still not sure if you’re ready? That’s okay. Starting the conversation is the first step.

• Talk with your family about your goals
• Tour a few communities just to see what’s out there
• Begin exploring your financial options and ideal timeline

It’s Never Too Early to Consider Senior Living

While many older adults insist they’re not ready yet, they’re probably more ready than they think for how a community — whether through independent living, assisted living, or memory care — can enrich, fulfill and deepen their lives.k for how a community can enrich, fulfill and deepen their lives.

See for yourself. Schedule a tour at one of our three communities and begin your discovery today.