One of the many decisions that you'll need to make when you move into an assisted living home is exactly what services you want provided in your monthly fee. Deciding how many meals you'll get each day will be on this list. Many assisted living communities allow you to choose how many meals are made for you — and many residents select three meals a day. However, you might wish to think about opting for just two. This doesn't mean that you'll go hungry. Rather, it means that you're responsible for preparing one meal a day for yourself, which you can do in the small kitchen in your room. Here are some reasons that this may be a smart choice for you.

You'll Feel More Independent

People commonly move into assisted living not because they need help with everything, but because they want assistance in a few areas. If you've always enjoyed cooking but making three meals a day is now too much for you, you may still enjoy the idea of making one meal each day. This idea is valuable because it promotes independence. The more independent you feel as you age, the better you may feel emotionally — and making one meal a day can contribute in this regard.

You'll Enjoy Old Favorites

If you were to have the assisted living home provide you with each of your three meals a day, you might begin to miss old favorites. Some people find that getting used to eating someone else's food after years of eating their own can be a bit of an adjustment. Whether it's a certain type of casserole that you've always enjoyed or a pancake recipe that has been in your family for decades, you'll still get to enjoy these meals when you prepare them yourself — and perhaps also when your family members come to visit.

You'll Save Money

You'll commonly find that if you select a two-meal plan instead of a three-meal plan, your monthly fee at the assisted living home will be less. It can be desirable to save a bit of money each month, as you may need it if you're going to be in assisted living for a lengthy period or you may need it for medical expenses. Additionally, if your savings are a little tight but you really favor the idea of assisted living, the two-meal idea may make a big difference for you.

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