Why choosing to move to senior living can be tough

“I wish I hadn’t waited so long.”

Residents of John Knox Village often express this sentiment as their only regret of moving here.

Many of them spent years weighing the pros and cons, adding up numbers, and wondering how they’ll divest themselves of decades of possessions before deciding they were ready. After a few weeks of Village life, some lament the lost years they could have been enjoying their maintenance-free, activity-filled, sociable lifestyle.

“Come and move here early. My husband thought we were too young to come here. But you need to come when you’re younger and establish a network and a community,” said Pennie Senn about her decision to move to John Knox Village. “Most people that I talked to that have moved here, their biggest regret is not coming sooner.”

Why is it difficult for some to say yes to senior community living?

That was the question posed during a recent presentation at John Knox Village titled, “Making the Right Retirement Choice for Yourself.”

Asking the question near the end of his presentation was the Village’s guest speaker, Tripp Higgins, who has spent the past 15 years guiding senior adults and retirees through the process of senior living decision-making. He is currently Chief Revenue Officer for myLifeSite, which provides reports and educational content to consumers about senior living options.

The difficult decision Higgins referred to involves choosing where and how to spend retirement. Seniors get to a point where they either commit to staying in their current home for as long as their circumstances allow; or proactively moving to a senior living retirement community.

Why some hesitate to make the move to senior living

The hesitation of those determined to stay put in a traditional home, Higgins said, is often the result of cognitive biases.

A cognitive bias is a tendency to interpret situations or make decisions based on unconscious patterns in perception, memory, and reasoning. We often use these default biases to more efficiently process information and make decisions. The problem with this way of thinking is that we often reach conclusions that are not based on complete or logical evaluation of all available information.

Higgins said three cognitive biases in particular often prevent seniors from committing to senior community living:

Anchor bias

This is a tendency of people to rely too heavily on the first piece of information or first impression about a situation. This initial influence becomes the reference point for making subsequent judgments.

Ask yourself whether you’re hesitating to make the move because of something you heard or read ages ago. Did something convince you that independent living wasn’t right for you? Perhaps it’s time to reexamine the benefits of a life plan community like John Knox Village.

Status quo bias

The status quo bias is when a person defaults to their current situation because of a natural resistance to change. Fear of the unknown is the primary cause of this bias. People with this way of thinking see a life change as more of a risk than an opportunity.

Ask yourself what would make you feel more confident about the decision to transition into a life plan community. In other words, think about why such a move could be a good idea instead of defaulting to those thoughts about what could go wrong.

Paradox of choice

Paradox of choice is a situation in which one has too many options, limiting their ability to choose one. The struggle to weigh unknown options sometimes causes us to settle for what it already known. For example, if you can’t decide what to order at a new restaurant because “everything looks good,” you may find yourself ordering the same thing you always get to avoid the decision.

Senior retirement living also offers a full menu of options. Older adults can stay in their home and rely on in-home care if and when the need arises. They can travel the country in an RV. There are a number of independent living communities as well as life plan communities that combine independent living with the availability of higher levels of care when it’s necessary.

If you think you might be stuck by the paradox of choice, ask yourself what you really want from your retirement years. Use your imagination. Write down your goals and envision how you want to spend your days. Focus less on what you think you should do.

Taking the First Step Toward a Rewarding Senior Living Experience

The bottom line to overcoming these unconscious biases is to seek out new information. Talk to friends who have made the move to a community like John Knox Village. Research your options. Ask questions. Make an appointment to take a tour and talk to a senior living consultant.

“You’ve got to come when you’re young enough,” said John Knox Village resident Phyllis Browne, when asked to give advice to those who may still be on the fence. “There is so much to do, and you can continue to live your normal life. Don’t wait until you’re too old because there are so many things that you won’t be able to do then.”

Senior Living Options in the Kansas City Area

If you’re exploring senior living options in Lee’s Summit or the Kansas City area, we’d love to introduce you to John Knox Village. Contact us today or call (816) 251-8000 to schedule a tour.

About John Knox Village

John Knox Village is a leader in senior care in Lee’s Summit and the greater Kansas City region. The community boasts a diverse range of living options from free-standing homes and apartment homes to villas. With more than 700,000 square feet of common space across the beautiful campus, you’ll find more opportunities and experiences right outside your door.