How much time do you spend thinking about your future? The general notion of retirement says you’re putting it away, packing it in, giving it up. Traditional vocabulary gives you these limitations, when ultimately it is only you who decides how you age. You’re not at the end of a road, but rather at the beginning of something new. Our mission is to take your big picture vision of life and help you see it through. Together we can challenge the social constructs around retirement and aging, making this next chapter the most fulfilling one yet.
Might we introduce you to the concept of shared living, and the housemate you were meant to find.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly one-third of all older adults live by themselves. That’s close to 13.8 million seniors aging alone. Nobody at home to eat with, travel with, or share household tasks with. Research shows that loneliness and isolation can lead to depression, cognitive decline, and other medical complications; suffice it to say, living alone is not necessarily healthy for you.
We know what you’re probably thinking: why would I want to live with somebody else? Barbara Moscowitz, a geriatric social worker at Massachusetts General Hospital, argues that the risks of boundary issues are far outweighed by the benefits of living with somebody else. “It’s about being noticed and visible and having function and purpose. It’s waking up in the morning and seeing other people. It gives you independence, but it also gives you rhythm of life, and keeps you in it,” she says.
Americans want to age in place. AARP research finds that 9 out of 10 people aged 65+ want to stay in their homes in their later years, though chronic health problems and income issues often disrupt this trend. There are challenges to the independence of staying at home that are often too difficult to overcome. It is encouraging, however, that older adults are finding ways to stay in a home setting, whether by living with family members (such as siblings or children), or opting for a shared living lifestyle.
Here at Upside, we offer you the experience of having someone else – a housemate – to enjoy life with. Someone to cook homemade meals with. Someone to assist with personal care, share household tasks with, and even help with transportation. You can create a mutually beneficial connection living with a housemate, all while avoiding the fears and uncertainties of isolation and loneliness.
In shared living, you have the benefits of companionship, safety, and assistance. The financial burden of living alone is eased; the rhythm of your life is not disrupted. We encourage you to approach your aging experience in a positive way – we want to help you challenge the social constructs and embrace this new beginning. With your newfound housemate, you may explore new hobbies, embrace new challenges, and enjoy pastimes together. We couldn’t think of a better way to maximize the life you have out in front of you.
Upside is proud to take everything you thought you knew about senior living and turn it on its head. Since our inception, we’ve been providing active seniors with premium South Florida apartments that offer maintenance-free, active lifestyles in communities of like-minded individuals. Learn more about our unique approach to senior living and start living the retirement life you’ve only dreamed of having. Contact us today to speak with an Upside Advisor.
Upside Corporate Headquarters
6365 NW 6TH Way, Suite 200
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309
