If you have been on the fence about a retirement community, here is something worth thinking about. The decision is not just about square footage or location. It could actually be good for your health.
Here are five ways, curated by Senior Resource, that making the move might benefit you.
1. You Will Move More
According to the CDC, more than one-third of adults aged 75 and older are sedentary. That is a lot of people spending a lot of time on the couch. And the health consequences like weight gain, poor circulation, high cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes are well documented by MedlinePlus.
Most retirement communities are built with movement in mind. Fitness centers, pools, walking trails, and dog parks are common. Getting your steps in stops being a chore when everything is right outside your door.
2. You Will Have More People Around You
Physical activity covers one side of the health equation. Socializing covers the other. Research shows that staying social can improve memory and attention span. Time with friends also does wonders for your mood.
Harvard Health adds one important note: the quality of your friendships matters more than the number. Stressful relationships can actually lead to heart problems and cognitive decline. So choose your circle carefully and do not feel guilty about stepping back from anyone who drains more than they give.
3. You May Eat Better
Many retirement communities have on-staff chefs who prepare healthy meals every day. Others offer community dining, healthy snack options, or resident-run cafes. Del Webb Carolina Gardens, for example, has a cafe that serves coffee and homemade baked goods.
Even in communities without a chef or cafe, sharing a meal with neighbors now and then is always an option. Cooking a complicated recipe is a whole lot more fun with company.
4. You Might Pick Up a New Hobby
UCLA Health reports that older adults with hobbies enjoy higher levels of health and happiness than those without. A Japanese study also found that having more hobbies is linked to a lower risk of developing dementia.
Retirement communities tend to offer a wide range of activities such as book clubs, exercise classes, painting lessons, and more. Hobby groups are also a natural place to meet people, which ties right back to benefit number two. Just do not take on too many hobbies at once. Quality over quantity applies here too.
5. You Can Let Go of Some Stress
The Mayo Clinic says chronic stress can lead to heart disease or even a stroke. In retirement, the stressors do not disappear: bills, chores, that leaky faucet that never seems to get fixed. But a retirement community can take some of them off your plate.
Lawn care and home repairs are often handled by maintenance staff. Some communities also offer light housekeeping services like dusting and laundry. And most have around-the-clock staff and top-notch security, so you can actually sleep well at night.
That kind of peace of mind is worth more than people give it credit for.
