Community living is becoming increasingly popular as people seek a way to join others while gaining independence. Community living may include group homes, apartments, and high-rise buildings. These environments contain groups of people that share common interests or lifestyles. This can be a good way for seniors to stay active and socialize with like-minded individuals. So here are eight benefits of community living.

1. Improved Social Development and Interaction
One of the benefits of community living is the ability to interact with others daily. Social activities can vary greatly depending on the atmosphere of the community living situation. From shared meals to scheduled events, sharing time with others can allow seniors to share their experiences and learn more about others.

2. Improved Mental and Physical Health
The mental health benefits of community living are numerous. Having more than one friend to talk to is a great way of improving your mood. Whether someone is depressed or anxious, seeking social interaction with others can quickly improve their state of mind. Community living also inspires people to be physically active, as there are various things to do which challenge them in ways they never thought possible. With the support of others in your community, many seniors are becoming more active and energetic.

3. Encourages Healthy Eating Habits
Eating well is a great way to help improve physical health, mental health, and overall well-being. With the support of others in the community, seniors can eat healthy foods which can be both healthy and tasty at the same time. The act of cooking for others is also something that encourages seniors to eat healthier meals.

4. Fostering Good Health Practices
Community living inspires several healthy habits that many seniors would otherwise not partake in. For example, walking around the neighborhood with friends is a great way for seniors to exercise and avoid sitting for long periods. Also, it’s a great way for seniors to become more active, which can help them maintain their health.

5. Better Social Gatherings
There are times when people can’t see each other. Senior centers and community living environments provide the perfect opportunity for seniors to meet and engage in activities outside their homes. The social gatherings encourage seniors to take advantage of the assistance provided in their community and meet new acquaintances. This is a great way to foster relationships with neighbors, friends, and family.

6. More Opportunities for Individuals to Improve Their Lifestyle
Community living creates opportunities for seniors to make changes that improve their lifestyles. Whether a senior is looking for more income or is feeling lonely, community living provides the support necessary to make these changes. It offers activities that help seniors earn extra income in a way that does not feel like work. This can be a great way for seniors to contribute to their financial well-being and feel accomplished by a well-done job. For example, they can purchase build to rent housing which can be a more affordable option. They can plant a garden to contribute to their food supply.

7. Promotes Cognitive and Emotional Well-being
Community living is an opportunity for seniors to make new friends and bring back old ones. It encourages them to keep their mind active, learn new things, and meet new people. This can be a great way to counteract cognitive decline by stimulating the mind. Many people in a community setting will have the same interests, so they can challenge each other’s minds while enjoying the activities they all do together.

8. Provides a Sense of Security
Since the residents in a community setting will likely be willing to help each other, the feeling of security is not lost. In addition, people are not left to navigate on their own. There are always other people nearby if someone struggles with mobility or needs help. Community living makes seniors feel safe because they can rely on people nearby who would do anything possible to help them feel secure and loved.

Conclusion
One can get a lot of benefits from living in a community. They not only gain social interaction, but they also form relationships and make new friends. They can meet new people as well as learn new things, all while staying active and engaged. Living in communities has been shown to improve people’s quality of life and help them stay connected to their community.

8 Benefits of Community Living by Regina Thomas