As we grow older, we tend to have collected a lot of items over the years. Memories, knick-knacks, letters from loved ones – they can add up quickly. Luckily, these important parts of our lives typically don’t take up too much space.
Yet, while most senior living campuses (Life Plan Communities in particular) have spacious living for you and all of your belongings, many seniors opt to downsize for a number of reasons. And while this looks different for everyone, freeing up space to allow for a better flow can never hurt. So, if you are considering downsizing when planning for your future, you may find yourself making room for health, freedom, and spending time with loved ones.
Some of the benefits of moving into a Life Plan Community are obvious – you won’t have to take care of a home and you’ll have easy access to healthcare among other benefits – but there are added bonuses you may not have considered. Joining Viamonte at Walnut Creek will allow community members to stretch their retirement and minimize their housing and maintenance expenses. Read on to learn more about if it’s the right move for you or your family member.
FINANCIAL FREEDOM IN YOUR SENIOR YEARS
Moving to a Life Plan Community allows you to save money that you’d otherwise be spending on your mortgage, repairs, and everyday household items. And the sooner you start your move to a retirement community, the sooner you can start saving. With the money you’re saving on household items, you’ll have more to spend on experiences and activities. A recent study by ARCO focused on setting standards for retirement communities, and surveyed residents of a Life Plan Community. The study notes that “having less need for property maintenance, access to communal facilities and availability of 24-hour support and domiciliary care on-site were the main reasons given for moving to a Retirement Community.” And it’s not just the cost that people move for – it’s also the time-consuming upkeep. Moving into an independent senior living community will allow you to spend your time and money on what means the most to you.
Save and Spend Your Money on Experiences, Not Home Maintenance
One of the best perks of living in a Life Plan Community is being able to avoid paying for maintenance expenses that come with living at home. And with good reason – the average American can expect to spend anywhere from 1% to 4% of their home’s value in upkeep on a yearly basis. This means that, for example, someone with a $500,000 home can expect to spend anywhere from about $5,000 to $20,000 per year just on keeping their house in shape.
So, rather than having to spend your money on your home, you could be spending it on what you really want to spend it on during retirement. Take that trip to Europe you always wanted to go on. Go out in search of those baseball cards you’ve been looking to collect, but never had the budget to do so. Plan a cruise with your family in the islands and cross those must-do items off of your bucket list. No matter what you choose, make sure your golden years are everything you wanted them to be by living somewhere that allows you to prioritize your plans without life getting in the way.
Better Health and Wellness
Independent living at a Life Plan Community allows residents to operate independently while also providing the convenience of necessities within arm’s reach. Viamonte’s continuum of care means residents have the security of knowing they’ll be taken care of should they need extra attention as the years go on. Assisted Living is designed for those who require help with daily activities. Their customized care plans will be carried out by compassionate caregivers within the residents’ homes. Viamonte’s Memory Care Center is available for those dealing with mild to moderate dementia.
Quality of Life Factor
More than 50% of Life Plan Community residents agreed or strongly agreed that their quality of life was higher now than a year ago – four times as many of them said this as compared to non-residents. The factors that contribute to a higher quality of life span far and wide, from cultivating relationships with others to providing opportunities to get involved in programs. Viamonte even offers wellness programs and fitness classes to ensure residents stay on top of their health.
STEPS TO TAKE TO PREPARE FOR YOUR MOVE
You may be considering downsizing in the future, but it’s never too early to take steps to prepare for this life event. By starting early, you’ll avoid feeling overwhelmed down the line. Take the following items into consideration when preparing to downsize.
Give to the less fortunate or underprivileged.
Be generous in your giving. There are many people who aren’t fortunate enough to have some of the belongings you have. Consider donating to good causes so that others can use some things that you are no longer using. Around the holidays you’ll find many drives and events where donations are requested.
Be thoughtful with new purchases.
You don’t want to be purchasing new things just to have to get rid of them in the near future. This doesn’t mean you can’t buy anything new, but start to adopt the lifestyle that if you purchase something new, give one old item away.
Purge paperwork
You may have files of important paperwork saved up, and it’s best to get ahead of going through these items. When you start, you’ll probably realize that you’ve been holding onto a lot of paperwork that you no longer have a need for. Downsizing doesn’t have to be a scary experience, in fact, the majority of residents currently living in a Life Plan Community believe they’re happier overall.
At Viamonte at Walnut Creek, the friendly and professional staff, amenities and services all contribute to this wonderful community. To learn more about Viamonte at Walnut Creek, contact us at 925-332-0802. We are happy to answer any questions you may have, and to arrange for you to visit our Preview Center and model home. Visit our website to learn more about your options.