Signs That Your Parents are Ready for Independent Living

At some point, your parent’s home may not be the best place for them to stay in their senior years. Your loved ones’ needs change as they get older, and living alone or with someone else can be difficult at a certain age. That’s why it’s important to determine whether independent living can help your loved ones live their lives to the fullest.

Of course, every person is different. While some parents may be perfectly fit to stay in your childhood home, others may benefit from independent living earlier than you may expect. Keep an eye out for the following signs to see if may be time to consider independent living for your parents.

6 Signs It’s Time to Look into Independent Living for Adults

Your parents aren’t able to handle home maintenance

When you live in your own home, somebody has to take care of it. The problem is that everything from mowing the lawn to repairing appliances takes a lot of time and effort, especially for aging adults.

Keep an eye on the overall state of your parent’s home. If you notice that your parents are struggling to maintain their home or actively don’t want that responsibility, the maintenance-free life of an independent living community may be appealing.

Your parents struggle with day-to-day tasks in their current environment

At some point, daily tasks may start to feel like big burdens. Navigating stairs, doing laundry, and other common activities don’t get easier, so take note of how well your parents can handle these tasks. If your parents are losing strength or dexterity, it’s time to evaluate if they’d be better suited to live somewhere that can address certain pain points that affect your loved ones.

It’s harder for your parents to take care of themselves

The house isn’t the only responsibility parents need to address. Personal tasks like getting dressed, taking a shower, and more can become more difficult or dangerous as your loved ones get older. If you think that your parents could use assistance from a caretaker, an independent living facility can make their life a lot easier.

Your parents need more social interaction

Living in a house can be an isolating experience, especially if you have a parent who lives alone. While you can go and visit your loved ones, it’s harder for your parents to venture out and see friends and make new connections.

An independent living community makes it easier for aging adults to maintain social connections. Between happy hours, hobbyist groups, and other social activities, this type of environment can be a major benefit for parents who are lonely or love to hang out and be social.

Your parents need a safer environment

What seemed harmless before can be a safety hazard as your parents get older. An icy driveway or a slippery tub can be an accident waiting to happen. It can take a lot of time and money to retrofit a home and address safety hazards for aging adults. You can eliminate many of these issues for your parents by relocating to an independent living community designed to meet their needs.

Your parents still want to maintain a sense of independence

While a home may not be the right fit for your aging parents, moving out can feel like they’re losing their independence. The good news is that an independent living community can help your parents maintain a sense of freedom while getting the support they need. As a result, independent living can be a win-win for both you and your parents who may be worried about downsizing.

Find the Right Housing Situation for Your Parents

Everyone deserves to live in a place that helps them lead happy, healthy lives, but those needs can change over time. By weighing what matters most to your loved ones and watching for signs that they need help, you can help them determine whether independent living or some other form of senior housing is the best option.

Trying to determine the right senior living solution? National Church Residences takes an individual approach to support seniors and help them live a healthier, more satisfying lifestyle. Find out which senior living options are in your area or give us a call at 844-465-6063 to talk to one of our friendly staff members today.