4 Advantages of Independent Living Apartments for Widowed Seniors

Losing a spouse after spending years together comes with many challenges and lifestyle changes. The home you once had for two people may be too much to take on. One of the more viable options for widowed seniors is an independent living apartment.

Geared exclusively towards older residents, a senior living community comes with many advantages, including widows who are adjusting to all different situations and lifestyles. Learn about the advantages associated with independent living and how a senior can help grieve and grow in the apartment community.

1. Smaller Living Spaces

As an elderly couple grows older, the house size that once seemed essential could be far too big now. When children move out and a loved one passes away, there is a lot of living space for just a single person. An independent living community offers much smaller apartments that will decrease the costs and uptake for a senior.

A single bedroom apartment still has enough space for a living area and kitchen, but everything is manageable. The living space is less daunting and a senior can spend years enjoying the cozy apartment.

2. Affordable Options

A smaller living space comes with far fewer costs. The loss of a spouse could lead to a change in income and savings. Programs available through the Department of Housing and Urban Development will help keep costs down, especially when income is limited for a widowed senior.
The smaller living space will also result in much smaller utility bills, including electric and heating bills. A senior will not have to heat a whole house for just one person when an apartment can heat up space for much cheaper. The money saved will help goes towards television entertainment options, groceries, and healthcare costs.

Adjusting to the new lifestyle after the loss of a spouse includes a lot of lifestyle changes and budgeting for a smaller apartment will help make everything affordable.

3. Community Resources

Suddenly doing everything on your own comes with a lot of challenges. Finding an apartment comes with a number of resources to help get through everyday situations. For example, an apartment community may have laundry services and landscaping built into the amenities for the property.

A majority of the apartment complexes will offer easy mobility options to access the apartment and surrounding areas. Free parking spots located right next to the apartment makes it easy for a senior to get in and out of the apartment. Even if the senior no longer drives, the parking spot allows for easy pick-up and drop-off options.

With everything built into the community, a senior will easily manage their new lifestyle and help get through everyday functions that may have been done by the spouse or done together previously.

4. Social Interactions

A senior who loses a spouse also loses out on the daily interactions and socializing. An apartment community gives a senior a chance to fill some of the social voids. Direct interactions with neighbors offer daily ways to greet and chat. A dedicated senior community will ensure that a senior is surrounded by people of similar ages.

Chances are that a senior can find connections with other widows who have been through similar circumstances. Apartment communities may also host events including cookouts and holiday celebrations. All of the elements combine to help a senior stay social and get interactions to help them through each day.

Some of the communities offer walking paths and other options so a senior can enjoy daily exercises and the experience of different seasons. The open areas also welcome guests so seniors can easily have family members come to visit.

Contact us at Robert Cottingham Property Management Co to find out more information on our independent living communities and ways to support the senior in your life. We will help choose an apartment to fit their needs and support the new lifestyle changes.