Independence is critical for seniors to maintain their mental capacity and cognitive health. When seniors are no longer independent and require nursing care, their cognitive abilities could wane. Whenever possible, seniors must find a way to retain their independence and slow down the progression of cognitive issues. Senior living communities could provide them with an opportunity to remain independent but also have access to services should they need those services.
1. Independence Boosts Creativity
Seniors who are independent are more creative and think outside the box. They could find art or writing to be enjoyable activities, and they will improve their mental focus. Seniors who are creative keep themselves mentally focused on their activities and improve their cognitive abilities.
By staying independent, the seniors will not experience as many issues with cognitive abilities and may reduce their risk of early-onset dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Senior Independent Living Apartments provide an atmosphere for seniors to stay active and creative in their own space.
2. Keep Options Open for Socializing
Socializing helps seniors stay more independent, and they build relationships with others. In a senior community, residents have many options for socializing and cultivating lasting friendships. They are surrounded by individuals that are in their age group who have similar life experiences.
This makes it easier for seniors to form bonds and find a confidant. By staying more social, residents are more likely to be happier and experience fewer instances of depression. The communities give the seniors opportunities to participate in group activities and prevent them from feeling isolated.
3. Helps Them Recover Faster From Illnesses and Surgeries
Independent seniors are more likely to recover from illnesses and surgeries faster. They won’t isolate themselves from others and are more likely to seek assistance from family or friends. If they have the mindset that they are alone, seniors are more likely to isolate themselves and take longer to recover. With more independence, the seniors have the mental capacity to take care of themselves and won’t need in-home care on an ongoing basis. If they are more independent, the seniors are more likely to be active and healthier.
4. Decrease the Risk of Broken Bones
Seniors who are not independent are more likely to sustain broken bones. If the seniors require additional care and cannot live independently, they are more likely to fall and sustain a hip fracture. Many seniors who sustain the injury and aren’t independent are less likely to recover fully. Some patients may even die as a result of their injuries. If the senior had any symptoms of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, studies show they are less likely to survive through the recovery from a broken hip, and mental deterioration progresses at a faster and often alarming rate.
5. Better Opportunities to Age In Place
If the seniors can remain independent, they can age in place and will never need to enter a nursing home setting. Psychiatric studies show that seniors who cannot age in place and live out their days in their homes are more likely to develop progressive conditions that diminish their cognitive abilities and require inpatient care in a nursing facility or around-the-clock nursing services in their homes.
Seniors who remain independent can increase their lifespan and retain their cognitive skills. It is when the seniors lose vital abilities and feel isolated that they could start to experience mental deterioration and require assisted living services. By reviewing the benefits of senior independence, families can understand the best practices for helping seniors live longer lives.