Think ahead when it comes to downsizing
When Vivian Handis and her husband Rick watched their youngest son move east following his university graduation, they were conflicted with feelings of both sadness and relief.
“At first it was hard being empty nesters,” says Handis. “But it was also kind of nice because, suddenly, there was one less person to take care of.”
Their son’s move also meant there was one more empty room in the 1,800 sq. ft. home she and her husband had lived in for 24 years – and, with this, came the realization that the home was both too big and too much for the two of them to continue maintaining.
“We needed space when the kids were young but, in the end, it became a burden for us to have to spend so much time and money on the upkeep,” admits Handis.
Within a few months of their youngest moving out, she and her husband began purging their personal items and eventually purchased an 847 sq. ft. condo that still provides more than enough space for the two of them.
“Space-wise, it’s great because there’s less for me to clean,” laughs Handis. “And my husband loves it because the landscaping and snow shovelling is taken care of for us.”
While living independently in a condo is one option for downsizing individuals or couples who are near retirement or already at that stage in their life, there also exist a number of retirement communities that offer the best in terms of stress-free living, including Revera Retirement Residences.
According to Serina Boffey, executive director at Revera’s Riverbend and McConachie Gardens locations, Revera has approximately 10,000 residents living in 98 retirement residences across Canada, each with a living arrangement that is best suited for individual needs.
“Residents can choose to live independently or to access a variety of care and lifestyle services,” describes Boffey. “Revera offers a complete range of options, from senior’s apartments and independent living suites, to assisted living or memory care suites that offer additional security and care for people living with Alzheimer’s and dementia.”
The perks of living in a retirement community include having the freedom to live without being bogged down by daily chores and obligations, including meal preparation, cleaning and laundry.
“Retirement living at Revera includes accommodation, utilities, recreation, fresh meals created by culinary experts, access to our fitness and recreation programs, shopping and cultural bus outings, and social activities like our live music pub nights,” Boffey says. “Others choose Revera for the safety and security of knowing there is someone around 24/7 in case they need assistance.”
This social aspect of living among like-minded individuals at Revera can be integral in improving the quality of life for seniors experiencing loneliness or needing the peace of mind of having others nearby.
“We often see older adults who have experienced the loss of their spouse or close friends, or who are isolated due to a change in health or a dependency on others for transportation,” says Boffey. “These life changes are difficult for anyone to adapt to, but our Revera residents are able to live their lives to the fullest by having increased social interaction and access to recreation and social activities.”
Making the decision to move into a retirement residence is always difficult, which is why Boffey stresses the importance of early planning and knowing what sort of lifestyle individuals want to live as they get older.
“It’s important for people to assess the benefits of remaining in their homes compared to downsizing and moving into a retirement residence,” says Boffey. “Many people do not have a choice in their retirement living option because the move has had to be an urgent one.”
Handis agrees it’s imperative for people to make these decisions and arrangements in advance so they can ideally live out their senior years on their own terms. And while the Handises still have a few years before the call of retirement beckons, they’re happy with their decision to downsize early, and they know it will be an easier transition if they choose to move into a retirement residence.
“The big house full of knickknacks and the yard that always needed attention just weren’t bringing us joy anymore,” says Handis. “Downsizing and moving into our condo was a relief for us and one of the best things we could have done to prepare for our retirement.”