More and more older adults are choosing to downsize to an independent living community after retirement as a way to save money, free up time, and reduce the stress of owning a larger home. Are you wondering if you should follow the trend and move to a smaller, easier-to-manage space? Look for these clear signs that it’s time to downsize your home:
You’re overwhelmed by chores and home maintenance
One of the first signs that it’s time to downsize is if you’re feeling overwhelmed by the time, energy, and money it takes to care for your home. Tasks like lawn care, housekeeping, and home repairs can take a toll on anyone, but these chores can be particularly challenging for older adults. Many older adults choose to move to a indpendent living community after retirement, where tasks like landscaping, repairs, and even light housekeeping services are included. With less worry about maintaining a home, seniors can enjoy a more relaxed, maintenance-free retirement.
You have a lot of unused rooms
Has your home become too large for your needs? If you have unused rooms that are only used to gather dust or store excess clutter, it’s probably time to look for a smaller space. Spare rooms still cost homeowners money in taxes, repairs, and utility fees. By downsizing or “rightsizing” to a new space that has just enough room for your current needs, you can reduce your monthly cost of living while saving time and energy.
Your home isn’t “aging-friendly”
If you’ve been living in the same home for years, chances are that your house isn’t equipped with the safety features you may need as you grow older. However, modifying an older home to make it more accessible is often time-consuming, and remodeling projects can become expensive. Instead of making adjustments to stay in your existing home, consider the benefits of moving to an independent living community. Independent living communities are designed to accommodate the unique needs of older adults, offering safety and accessibility features such as zero-step entryways, wide hallways for wheelchairs and walkers, plus walk-in showers and grab-bars in every bathroom. Moving to an independent living community will ensure you feel as safe and comfortable as possible as you grow older.
You’re too far from family and friends
Isolation and loneliness are common issues among older adults, especially for seniors who live alone. Maintaining social bonds and relationships with family and friends can mitigate the effects of loneliness and prevent seniors from becoming isolated. If you’re feeling physically and emotionally isolated from others due to your living situation, it could be time to downsize to independent living. Downsizing is a great opportunity to move closer to your children, grandchildren, or friends who may have relocated over the years. Plus, in independent living communities, residents are only steps away from friendly neighbors and new friends.
You’re ready for a change
After retiring, many older adults are eager for a change of pace. For example, maybe you want to travel, or perhaps you’d like to take up a hobby like golfing, sailing or skiing. Downsizing your home can free you up to make lifestyle changes and spend time doing the things you love – without worrying about the responsibilities of maintaining a large home.
Making the decision to downsize can be emotionally difficult, especially if you’ve lived in your home for a long time. However, many older adults find that downsizing to an independent living community offers the opportunity to begin an exciting, new chapter of life. If you’re curious about downsizing, we encourage you to tour nearby retirement communities to explore your options and learn about the benefits of independent living.
