After careful consideration and planning, you’ve decided that senior independent living at a retirement community is the perfect fit for your lifestyle. Now, as you explore your options, you’ve discovered a wide array of communities, each with its own unique benefits.
To simplify your decision, you’ll want to start by focusing on your must-haves for independent living. What services, amenities, and lifestyle factors are most important to you? Below, we’ve compiled essential information and helpful suggestions to help you make this decision.
What Is Senior Independent Living?
While the definition of independent living for seniors varies among different communities, generally, independent living is a type of senior living that offers residents a maintenance-free lifestyle with convenient access to services, amenities, and care. At Friendship Village of South Hills, independent senior living residences include apartments and carriage homes where you live as independently as you would in any other home. To better understand the independent living model, explore this resource from MyLifeSite.
The First Step to Choosing an Independent Senior Living Community
Choosing an independent living community is more than just picking a place to live; it’s about finding a retirement lifestyle that supports your independence, well-being, and aspirations. Wherever you land, you want to ensure that the community’s values, services, and features align with the future you envision.
The best independent living community is the one in perfect harmony with your needs and wants. To find it, you’ll need to first understand what those are.
Questions to Ask – Defining Your Must-Haves for Independent Living
Your list of independent living must-haves might include location considerations, services and amenities, lifestyle preferences, and health and wellness offerings. All of these elements work together to form a foundation of support that helps you retain your independence as you age.
Location Preferences
Consider these questions when thinking about what’s important to you about the location of a community.
- What climate or region do you prefer to live in?
- Do you thrive in a city setting or do you prefer suburban life?
- How close is the community to your family and friends?
- Is there an airport nearby in case you want or need to travel?
- Are there desirable conveniences and attractions nearby?
Services & Amenities
What types of services and senior living amenities do you want to have access to? Ask yourself:
- What are the on-site dining options? Do they cater to your dietary needs?
- What services are part of the monthly fee? Think maintenance, laundry, etc.
- What activities and amenities matter to you? Does the community offer these?
- Does the community offer transportation to off-site locations? How often?
Lifestyle Preferences
When thinking about the lifestyle you crave, ask yourself:
- Does the community support your lifestyle and values?
- Do residents seem happy and active? Can you speak with the residents?
- How do team members and residents interact with one another?
- Are pets allowed in independent living residences?
Health & Wellness Offerings
Consider these questions when thinking about your health and wellness needs.
- Does the community provide on-site health services? If so, what kinds?
- What on-site fitness and wellness options are available to residents?
- Does the community offer programs that support mental and spiritual wellness?
- What sort of outdoor exercise options are available to residents?
Use these questions to help formulate a list of your independent living must-haves. This will also help you think of the questions you want to ask when planning your community tour.
Find Your Ideal Senior Independent Living Community
Friendship Village of South Hills offers residents the ability to connect with others and explore their passions in a warm, upscale senior community nestled in the rolling hills of Upper St. Clair, Pennsylvania. This idyllic setting offers residents the chance to rejuvenate and recharge, while downtown Pittsburgh is only a short drive away for those looking to explore the city and its attractions.
The best way to experience all that Friendship Village of South Hills has to offer is to schedule a tour and see it for yourself. Contact us to take the first step toward finding your new community.
