People’s preferences change as they age, especially their lifestyle preferences. Even if some people loved partying, spending time with friends, and going out every other day during their prime years, they may wish to live a more peaceful life in old age. The desire to live away from the hustle and bustle of daily life paved the way for 55+ communities. While these communities offer all the amenities and a peaceful environment for older adults, they may not be the best place to spend the rest of one’s life.
Let’s explore 12 reasons why older Americans should avoid moving to 55+ communities.
Limited Age Diversity
The biggest disadvantage of living in 55+ communities is the lack of diversity in the population. Since these communities are designed only for older citizens, those living there may find limited opportunities to interact with younger people. It can eventually isolate older Americans from diverse perspectives and interactions, creating a monotonous life with rigid beliefs.
Community Cliques
While the aim of settling in 55+ communities is to live peacefully with others of the same age, community cliques can spoil the experience for some older Americans. A few older Americans have reported similar instances, where they found it challenging to maintain long-lasting pleasant social interactions and make themselves feel at home because of existing community cliques.
Restrictive Rules and Regulations
While 55+ communities offer numerous benefits to those living there, they also require people to abide by strict rules and regulations. Even rule-abiding citizens can find it challenging to follow the exhaustive list of strict rules. For example, some communities prohibit people from placing any decorative item, like sculptures of their choice, in the yard. There are also rigid rules around the number of times visitors are allowed in a month, which can be concerning for older Americans with grandchildren.
High Costs
Moving to 55+ communities may not be a financially viable choice for many older adults because they’re comparatively more expensive than regular housing. The average cost of standard assisted living is approximately $4,500 a month, which can increase for communities located in more affluent locations. Communities offering premium amenities charge even higher, making it unaffordable for many senior citizens.
Challenges for Pet Parents
If you have always lived with a pet, shifting to 55+ communities can be challenging. While many communities allow a pet or two, others don’t. There are strict guidelines around which pets are allowed in the community, the permissible time to take them out on walks, etc. Some 55+ communities may bend their rules to accommodate service animals. However, they still won’t be allowed in fitness centers, dining rooms, and other shared spaces, creating discomfort for those accustomed to therapy animals.
Toxic Stereotypes
Some people may view older adults living in 55+ communities with stereotypical lenses. For example, these older adults may be perceived as sad, lonely, mildly impaired, vulnerable, etc., even when they’re the exact opposite. While it won’t impact older adults till they’re within these communities, challenges can arise when they begin heading out and interacting with others during shopping, vacations, etc.
Distance from Loved Ones
Most of the 55+ communities are designed exclusively for adults who are at least 55 years old. Since these places have strict rules around people residing there, older adults may feel socially isolated from their loved ones. If you have children, grandchildren, or other family members below 55 years, they may only be allowed to visit and stay with you for a maximum of 30 days in a year. It is the typical total number of allowed guest visits within a year, which can concern some older adults.
Smaller Units
If you have lived most of your life in bigger houses, shifting to 55+ communities may turn rather disappointing in terms of space. Most homes in these communities are smaller than regular homes, and you must adjust to this environment. Smaller homes generally make walking freely within the house challenging, design it according to one’s taste, accommodate visitors planning to stay overnight, etc. It can become especially troublesome for those whose homes remain cluttered with plenty of items.
Homogeneous Environment
While some older adults may like the concept of living in a quiet environment with minimal to no presence of younger people, others may not be fans. The biggest problem with living in 55+ communities is the homogenous population. Many older adults have comparatively low energy levels and liveliness, which can make the community environment feel dull. If you have always enjoyed interacting with people of all age groups, you may not like living in communities with homogenous populations.
Risk of Depression
It is a less talked-about aspect of living in 55+ communities that significantly influences the overall well-being of older adults. All 55+ communities have rigid rules and regulations that often make residents feel socially isolated from their loved ones. From not having the liberty to keep certain pets to limiting the number of visits from family members- every regulation takes older adults closer to feeling socially isolated. Some adults may become prone to mental health challenges, such as depression, anxiety, cognitive decline, etc., because of prolonged isolation.
Resale Challenges
Selling a home in 55+ communities can be challenging because of a limited buyers’ pool. Since properties in these communities are typically expensive, few people qualify as potential buyers. Even if you find people interested in buying your home, you can only sell the property in accordance with the clauses decided by the community’s HOA. Some communities have strict rules on who can purchase homes in these communities, making it harder to sell.
Lack of On-site Medical Care
Many 55+ communities are designed to support independent living; hence, they don’t usually offer on-site medical assistance. However, they have partnerships with third-party medical care providers that can provide medical services at additional charges. It can be physically overwhelming for many older adults who rely on medical assistance, and the extra charges can cause financial hardships for many.
