There are many misconceptions about senior living communities and who lives in them. Far from being places where seniors go when they are unhealthy and alone, today’s senior living communities enhance and promote a vibrant lifestyle where seniors can thrive. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the percentage of married seniors has grown over the past 50 years, primarily due to increased life expectancy and remarriage. The result is more senior couples looking for senior care options.
Buckner Villas is a faith-based non-profit senior living community in Austin, TX providing senior care options for all stages of life. As a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC), we can accommodate senior couples who want to live together, even if they require different levels of care. Contact Buckner Villas at 512.580.9882 to learn about couples’ senior care and living options.
What Are Senior Living Options for Married Couples?
In many cases, especially when couples have been married for a long time, the decision to move to a senior living community is heavily influenced by the couple’s ability to live together. Senior living options for married couples vary based on the level of care needed for each individual and what the community offers. Not all senior living communities provide the same services or levels of care, so it is essential to research your options thoroughly.
At Buckner Villas, senior couples have a variety of living arrangements to choose from, including:
- Detached homes
- Studio apartments
- One-bedroom apartments
- Two-bedroom apartments
Our senior care options include:
- Independent living
- Assisted living
- Memory care
- Long-term skilled nursing care
These different levels of care help meet seniors couples’ different or changing needs in an already familiar environment, surrounded by the staff they know and trust. Choosing the best senior living option for married couples requires thoroughly evaluating each spouse’s needs and abilities.
The Benefits of Senior Living for Couples
Married couples have much to look forward to when they spend their retirement in a senior living community. One of the main benefits is not having to cope with the burdens of household maintenance, upkeep, and repairs. Other significant benefits of senior living for couples include:
- More free time to spend together
- Access to social activities
- Flexibility for couples with different interests
- Access to an array of amenities
- Support for spouses in a caregiver role
- 24/7 access to medical care
- Community and peer support
When one spouse’s health begins to decline before the other’s, it can be challenging to make a choice that suits both spouse’s immediate and future needs. The focus falls on the needs of the spouse in crisis, often resulting in a complex social and emotional situation for the healthier spouse. As much as possible, senior couples should begin planning for senior living options when they are both in good health.
Qualities to Consider when Choosing Senior Living for Couples
When you and your spouse are considering your senior living community options, it is critical to have an open and honest dialogue about your needs and expectations. As you navigate your options, consider the following:
- What type of residence are you looking for, and what room amenities do you need?
- Do you want to stay in your current location or move someplace new?
- What services do you want or need?
- What amenities are important to you?
- What level of assistance do you need?
The costs of senior living vary greatly depending upon the location, the type of community, and the level of care. Part of your decision-making should include analyzing your current living costs and comparing them to the costs of your senior living options.
Contact Buckner Villas for Senior Living for Couples
Buckner Villas is a faith-based nonprofit senior living community offering a complete continuum of care, making it a logical choice for senior couples with differing care needs. Austin, TX consistently ranks as one of the best places to retire, and Buckner Villas is the premier choice for senior living in Austin. Contact us today at 512.580.9882 to learn more about senior care and living options.