One of the biggest senior care trends to emerge in recent years has been the advent of independent living. A twist on the traditional retirement home model, independent living puts a greater emphasis on helping seniors enjoy active lifestyles while still offering them the services and amenities that they require. Moving from the home to an independent living residence can be a difficult decision to make. However, there are a few ways to know whether you or a loved one should make the transition.

Generally healthy, but with concerns
The ideal candidate for independent living is someone who has not had any significant health issues or is not managing a chronic disease. Still, there is something that is of concern to their loved ones, or themselves. The most common cause of worry is instability or a recent fall. According to Discovery Health, seniors who live in older homes that are not well-suited to adults with mobility problems can often benefit greatly from independent living.

Assistance with certain tasks
Independent living is a great option for seniors who don’t need full-time nursing care, but might need some help around the house. While not as intensive as assisted living, which helps older adults with tasks such as bathing and cooking, independent living can take care of common household chores that might present some problems to the elderly population such as homemaking, laundry or cleaning.

Maintenance becomes a hassle 
There’s no denying that owning a home comes with a variety of challenges, but keeping up with maintenance is one of the biggest, and this can certainly be a challenge for seniors with mobility limitations. However, by moving to independent living, seniors can ensure that any requisite maintenance is taken care of.

Socially isolated
Whether due to the death of a spouse or from friends relocating during retirement, it can be easy for seniors to become socially isolated as they get older, which raises their risk of developing health issues and symptoms of depression. Luckily, one of the greatest benefits associated with independent living is that it provides seniors with an opportunity to increase their social engagement. Whether its through joining clubs and classes or simply making connections with other residents, independent living will surely boost seniors’ social lives.