Deciding where and how to live as a senior is one of the most important considerations for your health and happiness. While staying at your current home and aging in place may feel familiar and comfortable, more seniors are choosing the benefits of living in an engaging senior community where it’s easier to make new social connections and consistently access personalized care and support.
Knowing the pros and cons of each potential living scenario will ease the decision-making process.
Senior Living and Aging in Place – Let’s Compare
There are many differences between senior living communities and staying at home. Here we are taking a close look at the variances in care, lifestyle and community.
Care: Assisted Living vs. Home Care Senior Living
One of the main differences between senior living communities (especially assisted living) and home care is the level of built-in support. Home care typically involves hiring a caregiver to come into your home and assist with daily tasks. This can meet your needs but may also come with challenges like isolation, limited activities and the need to manage multiple service providers.
Assisted living communities provide a more structured environment. Seniors typically have access to 24/7 care, transportation, housekeeping (say hello to a chore-free lifestyle) and social programs. For those weighing the cost of assisted living vs. in-home care, it’s important to consider not just the financial comparison but the value of integrated services, such as apartment safety features and conveniences.
For those who don’t need frequent personal care, there are still many benefits of independent living for seniors in communities that include customized care. Independent living offers privacy and autonomy, along with access to amenities like meals and programs that make daily life easier and more fulfilling. Many senior communities, such as Cordia, offer both independent living and assisted living options. This means you can easily transition to assisted living if needed, and professional care is always available.
Cost: An All-Inclusive Home
When you live in a senior community, you no longer need to worry about home maintenance expenses, monthly utility bills, yardwork, regular grocery shops or wages for an in-home caregiver. To determine whether staying at home or moving to an assisted or independent living community makes more sense for you financially, add up your current monthly costs. Consider things like your rent or mortgage, real estate taxes, property insurance, repairs and maintenance, gas for driving to activities and restaurants, trash removal, lawn care, and more. These expenses can add up to thousands of dollars in living expenses each month and still leave you feeling lonely.
At Cordia, monthly fees for independent living residents range from $4,250 for studios to around $7,560 for larger two-bedroom apartments. The assisted living cost per month ranges from $5,500 for studios to around $8,300 for larger two-bedroom apartments. Our one-time initiation fee for all residents is $4,000 and no large up-front payments are required. Your costs give you a home that provides more than it requires, from chef-prepared meals and engaging activities to housekeeping services.
Lifestyle: Activities and Socialization
Senior living benefits go beyond care. Among the most meaningful benefits of living in a retirement community is the sense of belonging that your new lifestyle can offer. Senior communities are designed to support a high quality of life through social activities and programs, such as fitness classes, games, live music and more. Access to programs and amenities is typically included in senior community costs. Loneliness and social isolation are commonly experienced among older adults, especially those who are aging in place and not consistently active or social. Having a built-in community helps combat those feelings and provides exciting reasons to get up and out of your apartment each day.
Community: Enjoy Meals with Peers
One big advantage of living with fellow seniors is feeling a sense of community while dining. When aging in place, it can be easy to fall into patterns of having unhealthy and similar meals at an empty table. Eating alone can lead to feelings of isolation and poor appetite. There are many benefits of sharing a meal, including improved emotional well-being. Community dining may also support better nutrition, as many communities offer chef-prepared meals that help you maintain healthier eating habits.
Live in a Welcoming Senior Community That Meets Your Unique Needs
The transition to a new living situation isn’t always easy, but it can be essential for a healthier and more connected lifestyle. Whether you’re still exploring senior living alternatives or you’re ready to find the best community for your lifestyle, it’s important to look at the full picture: quality of life, community and care.
Cordia offers a chore-free lifestyle, chef-prepared meals and housekeeping services such as weekly linen services. This means you’ll have more time to spend making meaningful connections, enjoying your hobbies or trying something new!
Learn more about senior living at Cordia you when you call (630) 887-7000 or schedule a visit.