Retirement is a wonderful time for older adults to discover themselves. They can live life on their own time and pursue only the things they wish to. Some prefer to pick up old hobbies or hone their existing skills. Others like to pursue new interests or learn about things they never had the time to do before they retired. Many prefer to simply relax and enjoy life at a slower pace. However they decide to spend their time, they deserve to live the best possible life in retirement as possible. Many reach a point where this can only be achieved with the help of aging services.

Have you recently concluded that your aging loved one may benefit from some sort of senior living option? If so, you may be overwhelmed by the abundance of available choices. Two of the options most often confused with one another are independent and assisted living. Many people view these terms as interchangeable; others may assume they both fall under the category of “nursing home.” Both of these notions are inaccurate. The word “nursing” generally pertains to skilled nursing, a level of care that provides a high level of medical supervision.

Retirement is a liberating time in a person’s life. It allows them to pursue life’s pleasures however they see fit, whether that is through travel, learning new skills, pursuing their favorite hobbies, relaxing or any combination thereof. Despite this wonderful opportunity for freedom, many aging people reach a point at which they cannot continue enjoying the best possible quality of life without some degree of external support. For some, this may come from a spouse or child working as a family caregiver; however, for many, this is not a viable option. Oftentimes, as much as family members would like to support their aging loved one, they may not have all the training, necessary skills, or even the time to act as their caregiver. Fortunately, these families can depend on assisted living.

Reaching advanced age is a gift that allows someone to reflect on a life full of experiences while enjoying new ones. The free time of retirement and the wisdom of a life well lived create the perfect opportunity for self-discovery, learning new skills and getting the most out of every day. However, aging also presents unfavorable changes in physical ability, mobility and mental acuity. Watching your aging parent or loved one experience these changes can be upsetting or even frightening. Fortunately, the right assisted living community can help them manage their changing needs so that they can enjoy their golden years in the way they deserve…