With so much attention being paid to how socializing is key for healthy aging, those who describe themselves as introverts might wonder where they fit in. The answers might be surprising: in fact, there’s a long list of reasons why introverts and senior living are a good mix.
Hint: it’s about choice, independence, and peace of mind, just the right ingredients for a lifestyle that offers everything an introvert needs for an extraordinary retirement.
Introverts and senior living: the freedom to live as you choose
No two older adults are alike…
- Your sister might love to host parties for large groups of friends. She engages with many people throughout the week in all kinds of activities and events. There’s never an empty space on her calendar and she loves it that way. Eating alone would never occur to her; she’s never wanting for company. Staying on the go fuels her spirit. She’s definitely the extrovert in the family.
- You’d rather take a short walk with your canine pal and then come home to a quiet evening of reading or listening to music. An evening on your own is just fine; in fact, it’s restorative and peaceful. You enjoy keeping in touch with a few friends, but you don’t have to see them that often to feel close. A weekend of good movies to watch and working on your favorite hobby sounds wonderful. Like most introverts, you are recharged by being alone.
…but both of you would do well in a vibrant retirement community.
Download our free guide, Just The Facts: Your Guide to Independent Living.
Just a few reasons why introverts and senior living go together
Privacy
It’s easy to enjoy the privacy and solitude of your comfortable apartment. Dine in and watch your favorite program. Start that new bestseller. Have one or two friends over and play cards. You get to decide how much company you have just as if you were still living at home. In senior living, your residence is your castle.
Choices
Maybe you occasionally want a bit more companionship. Check out the activities calendar and circle one or two possibilities. Drop in on a class or attend an event. See if you like it, and if so, go back again.
You’re free to come and go as you please. It’s not like grade school when you had to choose which “group” you belonged to. You’re now part of a welcoming group of peers who respect who you are.
Independence
Now that you’re living a carefree, maintenance-free lifestyle, you can do all the things you always wanted. That might mean traveling the world. Learning to paint. Mentoring a younger entrepreneur.
Or, it might mean you cozy up on your couch with a stack of mystery novels, learn French in an online course, or really get the hang of meditation. It’s up to you; there’s no pressure to “follow the crowd.”
Peace of mind
It’s true that isolation and loneliness are dangerous to your mental and physical health, but just remember: once you make your move to a vibrant community, you’ll have the reassurance of good company right next door. You can always take a walk through the common areas or on an outside walking path when you’d like some conversation and socializing.
And there’s always someone around if you’d like to partake in dinner conversation—quite possibly someone who also considers themselves an introvert.
Introverts and senior living: it’s all about balance
As an introvert, you know what level of activity and social connection works best for you. It’s not different in a senior living community. Some residents will be social butterflies; others are more prone to appreciating their time for solitude. Each person is free to design their days as they choose, with the added benefits of living in a caring and inspiring environment.
At St. Mark Village, we want our residents to enjoy every moment of our carefree lifestyle—as active and involved as they choose—with the knowledge they have seamless access to future care options.
Questions about introverts and senior living? We invite you to learn more! Download our free guide, Just The Facts: Your Guide to Independent Living. Or contact us. We’d love to hear from you.
