Aging Solo? 6 Ways Retirement Communities Help Singles Thrive
Your retirement years are the time to follow your dreams and pursue your passions. It’s exciting to think about all the possibilities — and if you’re a single senior, moving to a retirement community makes it easy to meet people and form lasting friendships.
Solo aging comes with some unique challenges and opportunities for an increasing number of older adults living alone in their retirement years. According to the Pew Research Center, 27% of adults age 60 and older in the U.S. live alone, and this number is expected to rise. Although living on your own can be a big adjustment, there’s a lot you have to look forward to when you move to an independent living community!
Why Senior Living Is Perfect for Solo Aging
If you’re a single senior navigating retirement on your own, choosing to live in a retirement community offers some key benefits that can enhance your life. Here are some ways senior living helps solo seniors flourish and live out their dream retirement:
1. Build your network of support. Knowing you have people you can count on through the ups and downs of life is essential to your well-being. When you can connect with friendly people living right next door or just down the hall, it’s that much easier for single seniors to build a network of support. Close friends often become more like family, offering a level of support similar to a close-knit family.
2. Expand your social circle. Moving to a senior living community is one of the best ways to gain a wonderful new circle of friends. A community setting provides more opportunities for social interaction, friendships and fun. In a retirement community like Parkwood, you can choose from a full slate of community activities, classes and social events on campus.
3. Dine out with friends. Dining with others in a restaurant-style venue provides healthy opportunities for social interaction. Whether you plan to dine with friends or grab a bite to eat on your own, you’ll make meaningful connections with other residents and staff while enjoying delicious food. You can focus on having energizing conversations rather than worrying about the work involved in meal planning and cooking at home.
4. Relax with maintenance-free living. It’s common for couples to divide household chores based on strengths; however, if one spouse passes away, the other may be left feeling overwhelmed or unprepared to handle all the chores at home. That’s why senior living is so appealing for older adults who are single or widowed — and even for couples who want to be prepared for what could happen in the future. A maintenance-free lifestyle relieves stress by lifting the burdens of lawn mowing, housekeeping, meal preparation, home repairs and more.
5. Enjoy a lock-and-leave lifestyle. Want to visit your friends on the coast or take an Alaskan cruise? You don’t have to worry about your place while you’re traveling. You can trust that your home will be taken care of whenever you’re away.
6. Have a plan for the what-ifs. Couples often rely on each other when one person experiences a decline in health, but if you’re single, you may have to face health challenges on your own in the future. This can be a troubling situation for some seniors, and it’s another reason why retirement communities are an excellent choice for all seniors, especially solo agers. If you ever need additional health services, a knowledgeable team can help evaluate your needs and navigate the next steps in senior care.
A Community Where Single Seniors Thrive
Discover the vibrant lifestyle waiting for you at Parkwood, where you’ll love the freedom of Independent Living and the perks of a maintenance-free lifestyle. We invite you to come see why our community is the perfect place to start your next chapter in solo aging. View our floor plans and contact us to schedule a tour or learn more about our one-bedroom and studio apartments. We look forward to meeting you!
You Are Invited to Experience Our Community!
