When older adults consider the benefits of moving into an independent living community, they likely will draw comparisons with remaining at home. One of the most efficient ways to understand the value of the services and amenities received is to make a list of the features that contribute to a high-quality life. These can easily be used to reference and calculate a budget for both remaining at home and moving to a community.
However, in order to create an accurate comparison, it’s also essential to recognize that consideration should reach beyond dollars and cents. In fact, to achieve the desired lifestyle, many residents make their decision not based solely on budget numbers but what effectively would provide them the independent living value they’re searching for.
Appreciating Independent Living’s Value
The following features are commonly considered necessary to build and sustain an enriched and meaningful retirement life:
- An accessible and personalized home
- Opportunities to create and nurture friendships
- Activities and social events
- Healthy dining options
- Support in reaching fitness and wellness goals
- Transportation alternatives
- Safety and security features
- Assistance with tasks if needed
How to Value an Independent Lifestyle
Using the above list of features and amenities, consider the significance of achieving an independent lifestyle and where you would receive the most value for your money.
It’s helpful to compare independent living’s cost vs value, whether it is received at home or in an independent living community. To begin, you’ll want to consider practical matters such as the cost of housing, taxes and other related expenses that also include renovations if required for accessibility.
Other categories would account for utilities, participating in activities and social events, gym memberships or other fitness class expenses, dining, transportation, security and personal assistance if needed.
However, to review the independent living value, you’ll need to dive in a little deeper. While it’s relatively simple to compare the cost of home expenses vs an independent living apartment, or the cost of food and meal preparation with a community’s dining options, many older adults find it critical to look at the intangible values when making their decision about whether to move into an independent living community.
Download our complimentary guide Staying Home vs. Senior Living.
Independent Living’s Value: Beyond the Standard Features
Considering the amenities and advantages of Independent Living offered at Tenfold’s Prairie City Landing, it’s easy to see the value that extends far beyond floorplans and activity calendars. Take a moment to see what sets us apart as our community promotes:
- Independence and autonomy
- An engaged lifestyle
- Opportunities to remain cognitively active as well as physically fit
- Sharing daily life with friends
- Support for achieving specific wellness goals
- Reassurance of assistance if health needs change
Independent Living’s Value: The Economics of Independent Living
While there are numerous features that bring value to our residents at Prairie City Landing, there are also economic costs to consider when contemplating whether an independent living community is the right choice for you.
You’ll discover helpful information available in our Family Guide to Funding Senior Care & Housing, including a comparison worksheet when considering the cost of home vs senior living. This chart makes it easy to calculate and recognize where the most value is located and the expenses that are incurred. You will be able to list and compare items such as mortgage or rent, property taxes and insurance, maintenance, exercise and dining, plus other outlays.
Independent Living’s Value: The Lifestyle’s Social Benefits
While we often look at monetary fees when considering independent living, it’s important to factor in the cost of not having access to the opportunities that can support living your best life. While it is impossible to put a budget number on the positive consequences of genuine friendships, feeling included and creating a sense of belonging with others who share our journey, they should always be accounted for as contributors to a high-quality life.
Prairie City Landing Independent Living’s Value: Contributions of YUSM
At Prairie City Landing, we support our residents to receive value beyond the basic features of Independent Living by providing a framework we call YUSM. When visiting our community, you’ll discover how we seamlessly integrate this philosophy into our activities and amenities.
Youthful: when was the last time you were excited about the future and all the possibilities it might hold? We encourage our residents to keep learning, laughing and living.
Useful: Remaining useful or living a life that has purpose is one of the keys to feeling engaged. We support our residents to discover ways to give back and contribute to the community in ways that make us better.
Spontaneous: Our residents make their own decisions. All of them. They are in charge of their lives. We provide the backdrop to keep life interesting, such as our Events and Adventures program that often reminds us just how creative we all can be.
Mobility: When we’re mobile, the world can be an easier place to navigate and be actively involved. We prioritize our fitness programs so residents can take advantage of remaining strong.
Discover Life at Tenfold’s Prairie City Landing
We created Prairie City Landing to support our residents to live their best lives possible. Our community’s design, residences, activities and amenities are all focused on helping to connect, engage and create an enriched life.
If you’re searching for senior living that is different from the rest, we hope you will consider Tenfold’s Prairie City Landing. We invite you to download our complimentary guide Staying Home vs. Senior Living. Contact us to speak to an advisor, or schedule your tour of Prairie City Landing today to experience senior living and our community for yourself.
