All throughout the United States, people are rapidly nearing their elderly years. As a matter of fact, more people are becoming senior citizens than ever before. By the time that we reach the year of 2030, now just a mere ten years ahead of us, more than 14 million total people will be over the age of 85 and living in the United States. Already, there are more than 50,000 people who have reached or exceeded the impressive age of 100 in this country as well, a number that will also only continue to climb with the passage of time.
Fortunately, being an elderly person – someone who has reached or exceeded the age of 65 – is better than ever before. After all, advancements in healthcare have allowed for people to live longer and healthier lives, something that permits them to continue on with regular life for longer. In fact, more and more elderly people are continuing to work for longer than most elderly people have in past years. The data that has been gathered on the subject have found that up to one full fifth – 20% – of all senior citizens are still working, though the vast majority will certainly retire at some point in time.
Even after retirement, elderly people are finding ways to stay actively involved in their communities and in the larger world around them too, for that matter. For one thing, elderly people frequently participate in volunteer organizations and activities. Again, the data on this subject is strong, as it shows that up to half of all elderly people do some level of volunteer work, though some will certainly be more involved in day to day volunteer activities than others will.
Many senior citizens even still date. As a matter of fact, more than 11% of all people who are over the age of 65 use dating apps – sometimes even more than just the one. Many people want to find love later on in life and, just as they are for young people, dating apps are a truly great way to do this. Ultimately, dating apps can provide even just friendship if the people in question are not necessarily looking for a serious relationship. This is something that has made it easier than ever to connect in our ever more modern world.
Ultimately, it might come time for an elderly person to move out of their home – though up to 90% of all elderly people want to stay in their homes as long as they are able. However, larger homes can simply become too much for the average elderly person to take care of on their own. But moving to a smaller home does not mean having to go to a nursing home. In fact, not at all.
Senior housing in senior living communities has made independent living more possible than ever for senior citizens. Typically, independent living communities require that you are at least 55 years of age before you move in, making it likely that you will find other senior citizens to connect with in this community. Independent living communities often offer some level of living support for the residents of the community, but are still committed to allowing for as much independent living as is possible. And when you have an apartment in an independent living community, you are likely to be able to keep up the space and live within it much more easily than what would have otherwise been possible in an older, larger, home.
At the end of the day, growing older can be a frightening concept, a frightening thing, for many people. However, there is no reason to fear growing older, as there are many things to still look forward to in one’s old age. The elderly years are simply the next phase of life, with just as much to offer you as any other phase. Independent living communities that offer independent housing only help to make that a reality here in the United States. In the years that are ahead of us, the typical independent living community is likely to experience a good deal of growth, especially as more people reach their elderly years.