Moving to a retirement community is a big decision and a major life change. Maintaining deep and meaningful relationships contribute to a better quality of life, therefore, it is understandable that couples want to move together. If you are active and independent, you may consider moving into an independent living community together with your spouse. Read on to learn how moving into independent living with spouse arrangements can benefit you and your spouse.
A Wide Variety of Services and Programs
Before choosing the community to move to, research extensively on the programs and types of services offered. Ideally, it should provide a wide range of health and care services that you or your spouse need or may need in the future. Living in a retirement community is a long-term decision, so ensure that you make long-term plans. First, a full and personalized assessment of both of you needs to be carried out to ensure your health and well-being. The community should offer a wide range of retirement living programs so that both of you have something that meets your needs and interests. Dimensions Health & Fitness at SummerHouse Beau Ridge is an example of one such program. Residents are given ample opportunities to improve their health in various aspects, such as physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and intellectual. When retirement living provides a diverse range of program options, you and your spouse can both live with peace of mind as you know the other person is being taken care of properly. This can greatly reduce the amount of stress and anxiety in one or both parties.
Understand Both Your Needs
Do you or your spouse have any health issues that need attention? Obvious needs such as medical needs, or requiring some assistance with activities of daily living, can be addressed in a straightforward manner. However, there are also other needs that need to be met, such as social and emotional well-being. When you move to independent living as a couple, it needs to meet the needs of both parties, so that you will both find fulfillment and enjoyment in your time there. Look into the types of activities and programs offered to see if they meet your needs such as hobbies, recreation, and some alone time. Living together does not mean that you need to be in each other’s company at all times or do everything together. Everyone needs some personal time to indulge in their own hobbies or recreation. Make sure that both of you have everything you need to have a better quality of life in the community.
Find out the Care Policies
It is important to find out the care policies to make sure that both of you will benefit from living in the community. Different communities may have different living arrangements for couples who need different types or levels of care. When making your inquiries or touring the communities, ask what their arrangements would be if one spouse requires little to no assistance while the other requires more help. You should be given options and from there make the decision that you believe will be the best for both of you.
