As a continuation of last week’s posting I want to address head-on what I believe are the advantages of living in a senior community.  This is more than a theoretical list: I have seen them lived out in communities I have helped to
develop and operate.  I have seen them lived out in my own family members.

1.  Safety and Security –  I start with this one not because I think it is the most important, but rather because it is the primary motivator for most people to make this significant life change.  Living in a retirement community means that someone is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, when there are problems and, as people age, there are always problems.  Sometimes the problem is simply the need for reassurance.

In other situations, a rapid response can mitigate problems and even make the difference between life and death.

2.  Activities of Daily Living –  As a teenager I was always looking for ways to make a few extra dollars.  One day I got a call from an ancient lady from my church. She needed some help weeding her garden and was willing to pay.  I was eager to work.  After I had been working in the hot sun for an hour or two, she invited me in for something to drink.  I walked in the kitchen and she got a, “clean glass”,  from the cupboard, filled it from the tap and handed it to me.  The glass was disgustingly dirty. . . .   It was not because she was a bad housekeeper, she just could no longer see well enough, nor did she have the dexterity she needed to wash dishes.

Easy access to  someone to carry out or help with chores can have a huge impact on
quality of life for a senior.

3.  Assistance with Medication and Physical Condition Monitoring–  I knew that I had gained some weight, but when I took a look at a photograph taken of my father, me and my grandson, the most prominent feature in the whole photo was my gut hanging over my belt.  It was startling.  So often we just don’t pay that much attention to our own deteriorating condition and, as we age, this problem becomes more critical.  In addition, as we age the number, complexity and potential danger of medications taken increases, making the whole process more complex.  Living in a senior community maximizes the resources devoted to these realities.

4.  Socialization – In my view this is the single most valuable aspect of a senior housing
community.  Aging at home generally means one of two things. Either the senior lives in their home,  by themselves or with an aging spouse, with the other primary companion being the television, or they live with younger family members, which provides the potential for better socialization, but also can create an undo burden on family members.  Either way restricts the  ability to socialize with peers.  Both of these scenarios are likely to negatively impact the will to live.

I would like to hear from you on what else should be added to this list.

Next week I will talk about how to highlight these benefits when marketing your
community to prospects.

Steve [email protected]


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