[Updated: February 21, 2023 | Published: February 1, 2023]
Moving to a senior living community is a big decision like any other life transition. So how will you know when the time is right?
Because everyone’s situation is unique, there is no perfect answer. The “right” time for you will depend on your current living situation, family support, finances, and health.
Most senior living communities require residents to be at least 65 years old. Some people move in as soon as they hit their 65th birthday. Others wait until they’re in their 70s or 80s, then wonder why they didn’t move sooner!
Remember that waiting too long can mean missing out on many benefits of community living.
And, if your health declines before you decide to move, the community of your choice might not accept your application.
You’ll also want to consider senior living occupancy trends in your area. At the beginning of 2023, record demand for senior living apartments drove occupied rates to an all-time high across the U.S., including central Ohio, according to the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care. So if you’re considering a move to senior living in the next few years, it’s wise to explore communities and join waiting lists now.
Many residents of our premier senior living community say they wish they’d come here sooner!
“I have known people who waited too long, and they never adjusted, never got to take advantage of the wonderful things here,” said Friendship Village of Dublin Residents Joe and Lou R. “And so, if you wait until you need to be here—and that can happen overnight—that might be too late.”
Six Ways to Know When the Time is Right for Senior Living
Here are five ways to know the time is right for you to explore your senior living options.
1. you’re still active, independent and full of life.
LifeCare communities like Friendship Village of Dublin are designed to help you live your best life at every age.
At our central Ohio senior living community, we encourage residents to thrive through nine dimensions of wellness: physical, social, emotional, spiritual, intellectual, nutritional, health services, vocational and environmental.
Together, these dimensions make up the vibrant senior lifestyle we call The Village Way! Abundant activities and luxe amenities make every day an adventure at our resort-style community.
Keep in mind that most LifeCare communities require new residents to live independently, with no immediate needs for assisted living, memory care or skilled nursing services.
That’s why the application process includes a health evaluation. If you don’t meet the community’s health criteria, you might not qualify for entry, missing out on many of the benefits of a premier senior living community.
2. You’re Ready to Thrive.
Do you see yourself going on adventures, taking fitness classes, relaxing, dining out, having fun, and making new friends? Then it might be time to consider a move to senior living.
At Friendship Village of Dublin, you could enjoy a full schedule of on-campus daily activities as well as planned off-campus excursions ranging from Ohio State University Football to Columbus Symphony Orchestra performances to canoeing on the Scioto River. And we take care of the driving!
You also can hone creative skills in our fully stocked Arts & Crafts Room and Woodworking Workshop. Compete with your friends in Bocce, Putting and Pickleball tournaments. Get your heart pumping on beautifully landscaped walking trails, an inviting indoor pool and two fitness centers. Stimulate your intellect with lectures and our LifeLong Learning program affiliated with Otterbein University. Or just settle down for a good read from our 1,000-book library.
There are so many choices that one resident compared our premier senior living community to a cruise ship that stays in place.
3. you’re eager to hang up your pots, pans, lawnmower and snow shovel.
Maintenance-free living is one of the biggest reasons for moving to a LifeCare community like Friendship Village of Dublin!
Tired of cooking every day? With four restaurant-quality dining venues on our campus, you can have someone wait on you instead.
Never want to touch another lawn mower, ladder or snow shovel? Our dedicated employees take care of grounds maintenance and snow removal while you are free to focus on whatever you like most.
We also provide periodic housekeeping, appliance repair, security, cable television and so much more, all for a single monthly fee that covers most typical living expenses.
With the worry of home upkeep, chores and multiple bills out of the way, you can spend each day engaged in hobbies, activities and friendships.
4. You’d Like more opportunities to socialize.
As we age, living in a single-family home can become isolating. Friends and family members move away. Neighborhoods change. Opportunities to get together with friends grow scarcer.
Many of our residents say that one of the best things about Friendship Village of Dublin is the friendships they have formed with other residents.
“I have been able to make good friends who share my interests in a wide variety of activities,” said FVD Resident Jean F. “There is always someone to share a conversation with.”
Those who wait too long to move to senior living may not have time to develop the meaningful long-term relationships that enrich life and form a support network for dealing with health and other life changes.
5. You want peace of mind for yourself and your family.
As we get older, health issues become more and more common. Someone turning 65 today has almost a 70 percent chance of needing some type of long-term care as they age. About 20 percent will need care for longer than five years.
While the costs of long-term care are increasing by 10 percent or more each year, Friendship Village of Dublin residents gain peace of mind from knowing they have guaranteed access to on-campus assisted living, memory care and skilled nursing care at a predictable cost.
You also have access to top-notch physicians from Central Ohio Primary Care at the only on-site medical practice in a Columbus senior living community. If you choose a primary care physician from COPC, you can walk to your regular medical checkups and sick visits!
Residents’ families gain peace of mind from knowing that their loved ones have access to state-of-the-art care in our Waterford Place, Alderwood Health & Rehab and our new Rowan House Memory Care.
As Friendship Village of Dublin Resident Ann S. said, “FVD has always been considered a gift to our children. They can be assured our needs are cared for. Friendship gives us LifeCare, an abundance of activities, great food venues, special events—and not to forget the medical care from the medical team at COPC. Finally, the many friendships who have had a positive impact on us through the rough times and celebrated together at special days in our lives.”
Ready to Find Your Place to Thrive?
At Friendship Village of Dublin, we create life in perfect balance. Our luxe amenities, abundant activities and caring staff ensure that residents thrive at every age.
No community combines LifeCare and lifestyle quite like we do. That’s why we’re one of the smartest retirement living choices you can make.
Included with residency, Type A LifeCare provides lifelong peace of mind—including basic assisted living, memory care and long-term nursing care—when and if you need it, at a predictable cost, for as long as you need it.
Even if you’re not sure the time is right to move to senior living, you owe it to yourself to learn about Friendship Village of Dublin. We invite you to schedule a visit to learn about the exclusive supports and amenities you’ll find in our premier LifeCare community.
