You may have mixed feelings if you are a senior whose family has recommended assisted living. A fresh start with new friends sounds great, but you like being the captain of your ship – will maintaining independence be a problem? The good news is, that is typically not an issue. By taking specific steps, seniors in assisted living can retain their independence for as long as physically or mentally possible. Here are five tips you can do to live life to your fullest for years to come.

Owning your own home is great for many reasons, but many aspects of home ownership can be a burden – both financially and emotionally. Appliances break down, roofs need replacing, and cooking three meals a day seems like too much of a bother without a family around. But senior citizens in assisted or independent living facilities can enjoy all the benefits of having their own place – without the errands and chores. Meal preparation, housekeeping, and activity planning are all taken care of. So with this kind of freedom, you have the best chance at maintaining independence – especially if you heed these four life-affirming tips.

Fitness and Therapy: The aches and pains accompanying aging make it harder to stay active – but there is nothing worse than being sidelined by a bad back or aching knees. Physical therapy and exercise could be the solution. Regular fitness training can alleviate pain, help you to avoid further injury, and retain control of your body. Exercise improves agility, strength, and balance so seniors can be independent longer.
Brain Workouts: Like your muscles, the brain requires regular exercise to maintain top performance. Deterioration, evidenced by dementia and memory loss, is a real threat to seniors. But there are simple and potent methods you can use to keep your brain challenged, such as changing up your routine. You can keep your brain active in myriad ways, including adding a new hobby, taking a class, joining a club, or taking up art and music. Seniors may also look into audiobooks, computer games, or starting a bridge club with friends. Maintaining independence is only possible if the brain is healthy.
Social Interaction: Maintaining independence is much more viable when seniors stay engaged with friends and family. Building solid relationships and strong connections can provide a sense of belonging and give one purpose. These connections aid health and quality of life in many ways – but it can be challenging to keep up these relationships when living alone without reliable transportation. Assisted living offers the opportunity to develop wonderful relationships and engage in activities easily.
Speak Up: Older adults often feel they are losing the ability to make their own decisions – but often, this can be simply because they don’t speak up for what they want. In assisted living, maintaining independence is easy, especially the more you make your voice heard.

Maintaining the right to live on your own terms is important, and the above actions can help you do just that. You have many good years yet to live – make sure you proactively live your life to the fullest. A Banyan Residence can help.

A Banyan Residence is an assisted living facility located in The Villages. We strive to help each resident achieve the best possible quality of life.