There is no one more deserving of having a quiet, stress-free life after retirement than our veterans. Veterans truly are the backbone of this country, because without them, we wouldn’t have the opportunity to enjoy the freedoms that we have today. It is thanks to their hard work and sacrifice that the citizens of the United States are able to continue living peacefully, knowing that they have done their best to serve and protect. Senior living communities are a way for senior veterans to be able to get that well-deserved break.

Senior living communities sometimes get a bad reputation for being boring places where seniors don’t get to have any fun – and people couldn’t be more wrong. Places like Kingsley understand how valuable and cherished our seniors are, veteran or not, and strive to make them incredible places where seniors can be excited to wake up in the morning and try something new.

If you’re a veteran and have been considering going into senior living, here are a few reasons to keep in mind: 

 

They Offer Ways to Learn and Grow

Senior living communities are incredible places to be lifelong learners. From classes you can take to learning skills from the people around you, there’s nothing quite like a senior living community to give you a new perspective or allow you to try something you’ve never tried before. 

Here at Kingsley, for example, we offer plenty of classes for our residents to take to learn something new. From art classes to cooking instruction, we firmly believe that it’s never too late to teach an old dog new tricks. You might surprise yourself with something new that you can learn!

Apart from the classes, you’ll never meet anyone more well-versed in life or have more experience than the other residents. Residents of senior communities have plenty of skills hiding away in their back pockets, just waiting to be taught. You’ll find residents who love quilting, cooking, crochet, bird watching, and more – there’s something for everyone!

 

You’ll Never Miss Out on Dining Experiences

If you haven’t seen the food at a senior living community lately, then you’re missing out. Many people think that the food at senior living communities is a lot like hospital food, but you’d be surprised at how wrong you are! In fact, many senior living communities have food that’s more like what you’d get on a cruise ship than what you’d expect from a senior community. 

In today’s world, senior communities offer the height of delicious food preparation. Meals are often dietician-curated and prepared to give each senior what they need for a healthy diet. 

The best part about having food prepared for you? It saves you all of the work! You don’t have to go grocery shopping, you don’t have to slave over a hot stove, and you don’t have to do the dishes afterward. The dining experience is no work, all reward, and what could be better than that?

 

Senior Living Communities Are Great for Building Friendships

Surrounding yourself with a community is extremely important. For a group of people like veterans, who thrive on the idea and the feeling of camaraderie, this is more important than ever. The feeling doesn’t go away simply because they’re retired. In fact, it might be more important now than when they were in active duty!

Senior living communities are the perfect avenue for building up a community with the people you’re surrounded by every day. While they may be well-intentioned, it’s likely that your family won’t be able to come to visit you as often as you – and they – would like. By creating your own community at your senior living center, you’ll always be surrounded by people who have shared your experiences and understand where you’re at in your life. 

The best part about building a community at a retirement center is the fact that you’ll never have to worry about not fitting in. With all of the people around you, you’re guaranteed to connect with someone based on shared life experiences, shared interests, and more. You may find someone who’s extremely interested in gardening and start a gardening club. If you love to read, you might find yourself pulled into a book club. Plus, if you enjoy something that isn’t an advertised group, you can always make your own!

A group of four senior friends playing a board game at their senior living communities
 

Your Stay May Be Covered by Benefits

Did you know that, as a senior veteran, you may have some of your stay covered by government funding? It’s true! There are common funding programs that you may be familiar with, like a VA pension, but there are other programs that may be able to cover thousands of dollars a month should you choose to live in a senior living community. 

There are also benefits available to senior veterans who may need a bit more care like what they would receive in a senior living community or assisted living. If you or your senior veteran loved one meets certain requirements, you may qualify for the additional VA benefit of Aid and Attendance, which helps to cover the cost of more specialized care. This is a benefit specifically for veterans who require assistance with everyday tasks like bathing, dressing, or feeding. This also applies to veterans who are bed-bound or require a nursing home for other health reasons. 

If you aren’t sure if you or your loved one qualify for these benefits, then try reaching out to your local VA branch. You might be surprised at what kind of additional benefits you’d be eligible for!

 

Kingsley’s Senior Living Communities

Kingsley is proud to serve all of our seniors, but we’re especially proud to be a safe haven for our veterans. There is no way that we’d be able to enjoy all of the freedoms and benefits that we have here in our country without the sacrifices made by our veterans. 

From delicious, chef-curated meals to enthralling classes, Kingsley is an incredible place for senior veterans to live. You are guaranteed to feel safe, comfortable, and at home here. 

If you’re interested in making Kingsley your new home, then contact us and schedule a tour today!