Melissa Harmel - LESS HOME, MORE LIVING

As people age, it becomes increasingly difficult to go through the process of downsizing, regardless of where they choose to move. If they are experiencing changes in their physical and mental health, then it becomes even more challenging, and the burden of selling and moving might fall on someone else’s shoulders, most often their adult children. But if you choose to move into a retirement community before you experience any decline in your health, you’ll be ahead of the game, and you’ll be able to enjoy all the benefits and perks of community living without the hassle of worrying about selling, buying, and moving down the road.

7. Choose your independence.

One of the best things about community living in your senior years is that you have flexibility in choosing how much — or how little — independence you need and want. Many people mistakenly link senior living directly to assisted or nursing home living — and those certainly are great options if you’re looking for an increased level of care and dependability. But you can choose to start out as independently as you would like, then, depending on your situation and your changing needs, you can usually transition to more dependent living in the future, as many communities offer these types of facilities. This way, you don’t have to move (a bonus, as discussed previously) or start all over again, and you can keep your social circle, the staff you’ve come to trust, and the activities you’ve been enjoying. Remember, there’s no right or wrong way to live in a retirement community. There is no “one-size-fits-all” approach. You are able to pick and choose whatever

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