Aging in place can leave seniors at higher risk of falls, unsafe homes, and isolation. Independent living offers safer housing, practical daily support in AR support, and everyday social contact that protects health overall.
Here in Fort Smith, aging in place is becoming a popular retirement lifestyle. Rather than moving into a senior living community, local seniors are increasingly adapting their homes so they can keep living there.
While the lifestyle can certainly work for some people, the CDC cautions against it, stating that falls are a leading cause of death for older adults. While it's possible to make minor adaptations to a conventional home to help mitigate mobility problems, they're usually not enough to reduce risk to an acceptable level. Sometimes, for instance, certain modifications to the home are impossible.
Seniors are often reluctant to move into a conventional retirement home, particularly those who don't have severe mobility problems. For such seniors, independent living offers the perfect middle ground between aging in place and traditional retirement community living.
Read on to learn more about independent living in Fort Smith, AR.
Independent living means a living setup that's very similar to a conventional home. However, there are minor modifications to the property, and residents receive supportive services enabling seniors with minor support needs to live a rich and fulfilling lifestyle.
As we age, we have less energy. It's harder to be productive. After an afternoon of doing chores, many seniors find themselves too exhausted to visit friends and family.
Independent Living addresses this problem by providing assistance with the most energy-draining chores. Independent Living residents are free from difficult tasks like landscaping, major repairs, and housekeeping.
These activities not only drain energy but can also be dangerous for seniors with mobility issues. Seniors receive this kind of assistance through senior living communities, allowing them to take part in exercise classes or social events.
Social and physical activities are about more than just having fun. They're also vital protective factors that keep seniors healthy, engaged, and steady on their feet. That's why we always have a packed calendar for our residents.
For example, according to The National Council on Aging, engaging in light physical activity can do wonders for improving balance and reducing the risk of falls.
Minor modifications to the living environment also ensure senior safety. For example, there are grab bars and non-slip floors in the bathrooms.
There are other services in independent living that make life easier and more enjoyable. In addition to various helpful safety features and maintenance services, meals are also taken care of in independent living. Residents get chef-cooked meals served in a restaurant-style dining setting. This turns meals into a social experience in which residents can sit down together to enjoy good food and have a good conversation.
Independent living is all about choice, so residents are free to prepare their own food in the attached kitchens that come with some independent living apartments. Unlike conventional kitchens, these spaces have been carefully put together with senior-friendly features in mind.
The best senior communities in Fort Smith even think about things like the placement of cupboards. Frequently used storage spaces shouldn't be low to the ground, as these are difficult for seniors with mobility issues to reach, particularly when they need to do it daily. Instead, these storage spaces are kept at a comfortable level.
Another significant issue with aging in place is that it leaves seniors isolated. If a senior falls while living alone, it may be hard for anyone to reach them quickly, and the ongoing loneliness can also become a serious health risk.
According to the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, this isolation can be just as harmful to your health as smoking. Even the most outgoing seniors, who always enjoy a rich social life, could find themselves facing isolation as their social circle shrinks because of bereavement, and if they lose their driving license.
In retirement, it's not uncommon for people's social circles to shrink completely, making seniors go from a rich social life to a life of isolation. Thankfully, independent living offers an elegant solution.
In independent living communities, social events are always accessible because most of them happen right outside your door. These events are not just about fun; they're vital protective factors that help keep seniors active.
While it may seem cheaper to stay in your own home, the cost of independent living in Fort Smith, AR, communities makes more sense when you compare the bills side by side.
Older people can enjoy the familiar small-town feel of Smith, Arkansas, while also enjoying lifestyle benefits that make daily life more manageable and relaxing.
For older people who have trouble with stairs, wet floors, or getting in and out of chairs, staying at home can mean always being at risk of falling. Our environment and programs are set up to lower those risks, which is why many families in the area choose Morada Fort Smith. Guided stretching, low-impact cardio, yoga, and tai chi classes are available to residents.
If you're weighing the pros and cons of staying at home versus moving into independent living in Fort Smith, AR, a visit can provide clarity about our services in independent living. If you're interested in seeing our community today, contact Morada Fort Smith today to schedule a tour and see our wellness program and community spaces for yourself.