Choosing to move to a retirement residence is an important decision; one that takes a lot of research, preparation and decision making. If you are currently weighing whether to make the move to a senior living community, it’s important to first evaluate your current living situation. According to the Ontario Retirement Communities Association (ORCA), asking yourself the following questions can help you make the decision:

• Would I benefit from living with others near my age?
• Do I want better access to social activities?
• Am I lonely living on my own?
• Have I been neglecting to keep up with my housework?
• Do I often wish someone could cook my meals for me?
• If I fall, will I be able to take care of myself?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, or relate to any of the following signs, moving to a senior living community might be a good option for you:

1. Mobility and health care concerns

Have you noticed a sudden decrease in your mobility? If you can’t get around in your home as easily as you used to—struggling with things like stairs, sloped driveways, deep bath tubs, or even accommodating your walker in a bathroom or kitchen—it may be time to consider moving into a retirement residence with an accessible layout and design. Additionally, are you nervous that if you experience a fall, or encounter complications with your medication, that no one will be around to assist you? At a retirement residence, all you have to do is press a call button and a staff member will arrive to help. Relocating provides many seniors with peace of mind, knowing help is close by if they come to need it.

2. Social isolation

On average, how often do you feel you’re being social? If your friends aren’t nearby, it may be hard to spend time with them, especially if neither of you drive. As you age, it’s important to stay socially active to reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation. By moving to a retirement community, you’ll be surrounded by peers and staff, and there’s plenty of opportunities to be part of a group, whether it’s in the recreation room on bingo night, in the dining room during meals, or as part of an outing or class.

3. Inability to keep up with home maintenance

Have you been keeping up with household chores like cooking, dishes, laundry, or yard work? If your home seems a little behind on maintenance because you don’t have the energy or time to take care of it, consider relocating. At a retirement residence, maintenance jobs, such as shoveling snow, mowing the lawn and fixing the plumbing are all taken care of by staff. Retirement living is about relaxing and focusing on your hobbies, so the days of doing chores are over!

If you feel as though you relate to the points highlighted above, and believe you would benefit from a retirement lifestyle, consider taking a tour of a Chartwell retirement residence in your area. There, you can get a first-hand look at what retirement living looks and feels like on a daily basis.