The concept of aging in place has gained popularity over the last few years. As the Baby Boomer generation begins to think about their options for happy, healthy golden years, they will inevitably come across the idea of outfitting their home so they can remain as they age. While that sounds like an attractive choice, there are some downsides that need to be considered before a permanent decision is made. With many great active and independent living facilities in the area, it’s important to remember you have opportunities to create the life you want in your later years. 

With beautiful weather, gorgeous beaches, amazing health care providers, and ample shopping and dining options, it’s no secret that Southwest Florida has become a top destination for retirees. For many local residents, their first homes are not in Naples, Bonita Springs, or Fort Myers. Aging in place usually refers to staying in your family home where the important memories of your life were made. The home or condo you purchased five years ago likely doesn’t hold those same memories. While this may have been a fantastic second home, is this really the neighborhood or area of town you want to commit to as you outfit a home for the years to come? 
The idea of remodeling a home from multiple states away can also be daunting. Do you complete the renovations while you are in town and deal with the dust and dirt that comes with that process, or do you find a way to oversee the outfitting from your Northern home base? You also need to consider the value of your home after the renovations. While there are many stylish upgrades, some of the necessary changes needed to make a home friendly to the aging process could be seen as a detriment when you or your loved ones decide to sell the home. Before you begin a renovation, make sure you will recoup your costs later. With this in mind, it’s not hard to see why the number of adults 55 and older who are opting to downsize their homes in favor of independent living communities has increased. 
Remember, the aging process is an ever-evolving one. While your home might be a great fit now, there may come a time when it just does not work for you anymore for a variety of reasons and by then, the sale of your home and a large move could be an extremely intimidating task. Making the move to an independent living community in your early retirement allows you to benefit from the amazing services these communities provide as well as helps you eliminate moving stress later in life.
Making home repairs or finding the right company to call on can be a pain in the best of days. Maintaining a home that is clean and in working order as you age only becomes harder. Home maintenance involves a certain amount of work, energy, and organization that becomes harder to pull off when you begin to find physical tasks more of a challenge. Again, if you have a close family member who’s able and willing to help that can be a real asset as you age, but many find they don’t have the family help they need and must spend the time and money to find the right people to help them with their home responsibilities. Choosing to live in a community where all home and yard maintenance is taken care of for you can be a huge, burden-lifting element to consider. 

Isolation can be a factor for people as they age. Loss of mobility and independence can leave you on your own at a delicate time in life. Two new meta-analyses from Brigham Young University reveal that loneliness and social isolation may increase the risk of premature death by up to 50 percent. As you consider aging in place versus moving into a retirement community, contemplate which option will keep you social and active. Choosing to live in a community of people can bring friendships at an important time of life. Places like Sandalwood Village, an active living rental community in Naples, Florida offer a wide range of social activities. “It’s easy for our residents to socialize with neighbors and stay busy thanks to the SUN® Program,” says Michael DiGiacomo, Vice President of Senior and Student Housing at The United Group of Companies, Inc. which expertly manages Sandalwood Village.  “We offer a full calendar of social events every week; residents love to take advantage of balancing class, yoga, Pilates, and aqua aerobics to stay active and fit.”

Health and wellness workshops, educational seminars, social gatherings, and local excursions are available to residents in an active living community. Many places will also offer happy hours and community dinners so residents can forge friendships. If, at some point you choose to give up your car, getting to various grocery stores, pharmacies, libraries, shopping centers, and restaurants can be difficult, so being a part of a community that offers transportation as part of its package is worth consideration. 
A community like Sandalwood Village provides active and independent living for adults 55 and up without the commitment of a home purchase. With zero buy-in or Homeowners Association fees, this community offers 24-hour maintenance assistance, which creates an ideal “care-free” lifestyle for residents. As you look toward a retirement filled with traveling, downsizing to a unique and dynamic apartment that is fully-equipped means you can lock up your home and set off on an adventure. Rent covers all your utilities which makes tracking bills easy as you and your partner focus on other life changes and activities. 
While aging in place can have some wonderful advantages and seems to be a hot topic these days, don’t forget to weigh all your options. From the peace of mind, to creating a retirement that is filled with opportunities, to staying active mentally and physically, you might find that an active or independent living retirement facility is the right approach for you. 

3511 Vanderbilt Beach Rd. Naples, FL 34109 | 239.260.5455 | www.sandalwoodvillage.com