At Ebenezer and Riley Crossing Senior Living, we believe the time to start talking about, exploring and even making the move to a senior living community is before you need it. It’s true for so many reasons, but one of the most profound is one of Ebenezer’s core values: dignity.
All too often, seniors end up making the move after a catastrophic event — a fall at home lands them in the hospital, a health issue suddenly becomes too much to manage, or one of numerous other events that precipitate a move into senior living. Before they know it, they move from home or the hospital right into Assisted Living or Enhanced Care, and it can feel like their lives are turned upside down. That kind of abrupt life change isn’t an ideal scenario for seniors or their loved ones. It’s difficult to get acclimated to their new community because they may be dealing with health issues and may not be as active as they had been. Also, with that kind of rushed move, without any planning or discussion beforehand, it doesn’t feel like their choice. It takes away their dignity.
Another factor that contributes to an abrupt move into a senior living community is fear. Sometimes, older adults stay living in their homes longer than they should because of outmoded assumptions of what senior living is like. They wonder if they’ll be alone. Maybe they won’t like their new surroundings. Or maybe they’re resistant to leaving their home.
But, we find that along with all of the physical benefits of safety and care our residents receive in senior living, life in our community takes away other stressors as well. Not having to manage their bills, home maintenance, yard work, snow removal and everything else that comes with owning a home is a huge weight off seniors’ shoulders. Oftentimes, they don’t realize or won’t admit that those things have been putting stress on their lives. They don’t want to complain or bother people with their troubles. So, they stay at home much longer than they should, experience an inevitable fall or other catastrophic event, and they end up in a senior community.
A much better option is moving to a beautiful community that has Independent Living, while seniors are young and active enough to enjoy all that these communities have to offer. Our independent senior living is designed to create a lifestyle of convenience and support for seniors as well as providing social activities and opportunities for interaction with other residents. On-site medical staff are available, as are services such as a beautician/barber and a fitness center.
Even if you’re not interested in our full calendar of events, reading the daily paper in a fireside lounge community space, saying hi to the staff as they come and go or grabbing some coffee in the lobby is a great way to see a friendly face every day. Seniors living on their own don’t get that kind of interaction.
Moving into independent living as a younger, more active older adult gives you more of an opportunity to adapt and help you age in place with dignity, keeping you as independent as you are able. Then, when you need care, you’re already in the right place. You have 24/7 staff that keep watch of you, notice changes in your condition and give peace of mind to your family. This helps you age in place with grace.
Ebenezer has a wide variety of living options from active 55+ apartment homes, to patio townhomes, to cooperatives for seniors to age in place. To learn more about Independent Living at Riley Crossing, contact us today.
