One of the best tools you can use when trying to make a decision between two choices is a good, old-fashioned side-by-side comparison. On one hand, staying in your current home as you get older can seem like an easy choice, but if you are considering moving to an independent living home or apartment, it’s worth comparing the two lifestyles to get a clearer picture of which one is right for you.
So let’s step back and take a broader look at what life could look like both ways. We’ll explore multiple lifestyle aspects and the implications of each.
Home Maintenance
Staying in Your Current Home
If you own your current home, you’ve likely become well acquainted with the pains of homeownership over the years. It seems like there’s always something that needs to be done. Perhaps something is broken and needs repaired, or your yard needs some serious TLC. Whatever it is, it’s not going to get done on its own.
If you choose to stay in your current home, your daily to-do list could include one or more of these:
- Call repair company or contractor
- Pull or spray weeds
- Change lightbulbs
- Fix loose fixtures
- Unclog drain
- Mow the lawn
- Clean the gutters
Independent Living
When you choose a senior living community like Otterbein St. Marys, home maintenance becomes a thing of the past. If anything breaks or needs professional repairs, all you have to do is pick up the phone and let the maintenance staff know. They’ll take care of it in a timely manner, so you don’t have to worry about it.
“The maintenance department here is excellent. If we even have to change the lightbulb, staff will come right in and do that.”
― Paul K., Otterbein independent living resident
Safety
Staying in Your Current Home
Your current home ― particularly if it’s an older home ― could be full of features that could present safety hazards for you now or in the future. Here are some common examples:
- Stairs
- Bathtubs
- Uneven floor surfaces
- Tight spaces or doorways
Features such as these all increase your risk for tripping or falling at home. You could choose to modify your home to make it safer, but that could come with a hefty price tag, depending on what would need to be done.
Independent Living
Senior living communities are specifically designed to maximize safety for seniors. Wide doorways, grab bars, and step-less living spaces are featured in every home or apartment. Bathrooms feature walk-in showers and raised toilets with nearby grab bars. For added safety, pull cords are also installed in multiple rooms, which alert staff of a potential emergency when pulled. Rest assured, if you ever do have an emergency, help is only seconds away at any given time ― day or night.
Transportation
Staying in Your Current Home
When you decide to remain in your current home, you are in charge of your own transportation, which means driving yourself or arranging for someone else to take you where you need to go ― such as doctor appointments, the grocery store, or the beauty/barber shop.
Independent Living
Senior living communities are exactly that ― communities. At Otterbein St. Marys, residents have everything they need on-site, including:
- Restaurant and dining
- Fitness center (with heated pool)
- Beauty shop
- Church
- Wellness center
- Woodworking shop
- Spaces for recreation and activities
Otterbein residents have lots of opportunities to do fun outings off-campus, too, like trips to Der Dutchman restaurant, Ruby Tuesday’s, and Chouraku Steakhouse; shopping and grocery trips; and putt-putt golf ― transportation is always provided. We even have our own private pontoon boat for residents to enjoy time out on Grand Lake St. Marys.
“I didn’t come to Otterbein to sit and do nothing ― I came here to be active.”
― Don R., Otterbein independent living resident
Read Don’s story and how he stays involved in a little bit of everything at Otterbein St. Marys >>
Social Atmosphere
Staying in Your Current Home
If you live alone or don’t live close to family or friends, loneliness may be rather familiar to you. Whether you’re an introvert or an extrovert, everyone needs some degree of social interaction for optimal mental health, especially seniors. In fact, regular social interaction can actually help you stay healthy in multiple ways.
Independent Living
When you live in a senior living community, you’re surrounded by lots of different people, and chances are, you’re going to find others who share similar interests as you. Perhaps it’s a next-door neighbor who loves fishing and boating just like you, or maybe you find a group you enjoy playing bridge or bingo with. The social opportunities really are endless!
Living in a senior living community means you can be involved as much or as little as you like. For social butterflies, there is always something to do and someone to talk to. Or if you like your space and quiet time, you can balance that with a social outing every so often to give you something to look forward to.
Here’s why life’s better at the lake at Otterbein St. Marys >>
Health and Wellness
Staying in Your Current Home
If keeping yourself healthy and fit is a struggle now, it will likely get even more challenging as you stay in your current home. Ultimately, you are in charge of your own health and wellness. But going at it alone can be overwhelming, especially if you don’t have someone to help you keep tabs on your progress and areas of improvement.
Independent Living
A high-quality senior living community puts the health and wellness of its residents as a top priority. That’s why Otterbein St. Marys has an on-campus wellness clinic with medical staff that can help you set wellness goals and make progress toward those goals. Regular wellness checks are included for all residents, and we also offer therapy and fitness classes to help you achieve your goals.
Explore the Benefits of Otterbein St. Marys
If you’re leaning toward a move to independent living, consider joining our vibrant, active community at Otterbein St. Marys. Located on the shores of Grand Lake St. Marys, our community has a little bit of everything to offer, from spiritual fellowship to recreational activities to a plethora of on-campus amenities.
