Your senior loved ones deserve the physical and mental well-being of a happy retirement. Independent and assisted living communities offer social interaction, a full and productive lifestyle, and safety for seniors.

Consider these nine benefits to understand how a move to senior living could help keep your aging relative happy and healthy.

1. Senior social interaction

Loneliness can lead to depression, high blood pressure, and early mortality in seniors, according to research from University of Chicago. Even if an elderly relative is in good health, aging alone can be emotionally detrimental. During the coronavirus pandemic, planned interaction is more important than ever.

Seniors aging at home are currently unable to see family and friends or visit local senior centers, which can lead to increased isolation. Independent and assisted living communities have worked hard to adapt to social distancing, creating new activities for seniors to stay engaged and safe. Happy hours, communal art classes, and outings to stores and museums are currently on hold, but the happiness of elderly residents is still a top priority.

2. Intellectual stimulation

Assisted and independent living communities offer opportunities for lifetime learning. Now, as communities practice social distancing, many are delivering books, subscribing to online courses for residents, and even encouraging book club discussions across hallways.

Senior Living offers a “live with learning” program, which encourages seniors to read, attend lectures, and explore new academic possibilities. Communities also have access to “brain training” resources and brain games for seniors that may lower the risk of long-term cognitive decline.

3. Senior safety

Keeping seniors healthy and safe is a priority for independent and assisted living communities.

• Senior living minimizes the risk of falls
  Falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries in seniors 65 and older, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Independent and assisted living communities are designed for accessibility and mobility, with ramps, flat thresholds, and hallway hand railings. Raised toilets, specially designed walk-in showers, and grab bars in bathrooms also reduce the likelihood of falls.
• Security is always available
  Elderly people are often targets for break-ins and scams. Senior living communities have security companies to keep older loved ones safe, as well as alarm systems to provide peace of mind.
• Senior living communities are prepared for disaster
  Elderly people aging in place are responsible for checking smoke detectors, installing carbon monoxide alarms, and replacing fire extinguishers. In the event of an emergency — like a tornado, earthquake, or fire — they might have to find safety on their own. Assisted and independent living communities have disaster plans and staff prepared to help seniors in case of emergency.
• On-call staff provides peace of mind in medical emergencies
  Rooms in independent and assisted living communities have medical alert systems to notify staff in case of falls or injuries. This means seniors don’t have to worry about struggling to contact help or waiting to be found after a medical emergency at home.

4. Fitness and physical activities for seniors

Seniors who are physically active tend to live longer, according to research from Johns Hopkins University. With exercise classes like tai chi, and personal trainers well-versed in the needs of older adults, assisted and independent living communities offer all-inclusive opportunities for physical fitness. Even as communities practice social distancing, activities directors have come up with new ways to keep seniors active, like hallway exercise classes and in-room chair yoga.

5. Chef-prepared, nutritious meals

Seniors living alone may find it difficult to adjust to cooking for one, and it may be challenging for family caregivers to ensure their loved one is getting adequate nutrition. In assisted living, residents are served up to three meals a day, with attention to special dietary needs for people with diabetes and food allergies.