Ready for Independent Living? Ask Yourself These 5 Questions

As an older adult, making any change in your living arrangements can require significant consideration. While leaving the home you’ve lived in for years can be stressful, knowing what other options are available is essential. Independent living offers a great option for older adults looking to eliminate stressful homeowner responsibilities while maintaining their freedom.

When is the right time to make a change? Ask yourself these five questions about independent living facilities to determine if you’re ready to downsize your living arrangements and start your next chapter of retirement:

1. How easy is it for you to maintain your current home?
   While maintaining your home may have been something you enjoyed over the years, it’s important to acknowledge your limitations as you age. If you have a multilevel home, a large yard, or a lot of unused space, you might find it cumbersome to maintain on your own. Home-maintenance costs can add up over time, especially if you hire people to help maintain your property. As an empty nester, you might realize you would prefer a space that doesn’t require much maintenance or upkeep, like an independent living apartment.
2. Have you recently lost your spouse or significant other? 
   Loneliness doesn’t usually happen all at once, but as your kids grow up and move away, your significant other passes away and neighborhood friends move out of town, you can feel the impact. While interacting over the phone and the internet is helpful, it can’t replace the feeling of face-to-face connection. When thinking about questions to ask about independent living communities, find out about the opportunities for socialization through services, activities or planned outings.
3. How is your overall health? 
   When is the best time to make a transition to independent living? You might be surprised to learn that it’s before your health declines. Senior living communities are designed to help active seniors get the most out of their retirement with dynamic programming, services and amenities. Most senior living communities are designed to help you maintain health and independence for longer and feature varying levels of care, should your health change in the future.
4. How easy is it for you to get around?
   As you age, you might find driving more challenging, especially at night. If your home is in an area where you have to drive to meet with friends, go grocery shopping, or attend local social activities, it can become burdensome. When coming up with questions to ask about independent living facilities, find out about available on-site amenities, planned transportation and transportation to and from doctor visits.
5. Would you like more time to follow your passions? 
   When you’re busy maintaining a home, grocery shopping, paying bills and managing your household, it can be hard to find time for anything else. Especially as you age, you may prefer to fill your time doing whatever makes you the happiest. Independent living grants you the opportunity to pursue your interests, hobbies and new ventures in a safe and supportive environment. When thinking of questions to ask about independent living facilities, find out what hobbies are available to explore. It might be a good time to take up painting, focus on your fitness goals, learn to cook or create an herb garden.

Change can be intimidating at any age, but it’s important to consider what’s most important to you as you think about your retirement. Instead of spending time on home maintenance, you could be pursuing your passions in a dynamic independent living community. Do your research and come up with questions to ask about independent living facilities and find options that match your interests and goals for yourself, now and well into the future.

Explore Independent Living Options in Dallas, Texas

In the independent senior living community at Signature Pointe, we make it easy to stay healthy, active and live a carefree life. Consider this your opportunity to leave the hassles of home maintenance and yardwork to our helpful staff while you enjoy all the freedom you deserve in our well-appointed independent living apartments in Dallas, TX.

Learn more about our independent living apartments and schedule a visit so you can experience all our Dallas, TX, senior living community has to offer.