When a family member reaches old age, they have two options regarding where to stay. While some families can keep their elderly relatives at home, others aren’t equipped to do so. As a result, they place their loved ones in an assisted living facility. Assisted living is a perfectly acceptable option. People who care for their elderly relatives and want them to spend their final years in peace may find this the best choice.
However, as with any significant decision in life, assisted living for seniors has pros and cons. Iit would be best if you considered them before making the final decision. To guide you and your senior loved one’s choices, keep reading to learn the advantages and disadvantages of assisted living.
Pros
1. Allows Seniors To Socialize
Even older people need to interact with others. Isolation generally isn’t good for anyone, especially seniors. They may be more prone to mental deterioration or failing mental health without having companions.
Fortunately, most assisted living centers provide areas and activities for residents to interact with their fellow seniors. Vivante communities, for example, offer age-appropriate entertainment for physical fitness and overall well-being. By participating in regular social activities and exercises, elders may become happier and healthier despite being in their advanced years. It’s also possible for them to form new, long-lasting friendships this way.
2. It Gives Them Independence In A Home-like Environment
Unlike nursing homes, assisted living centers look like private residences. Some older people don’t enjoy staying in places that remind them of hospitals. Being in that place may give them the idea that they can’t take care of themselves. If a person, especially a senior, has that mindset, they could go into a depressive spiral that might worsen existing conditions.
Typically, many seniors can still move around and attend to their needs. They require assistance from time to time, which an assisted living center provides. While staying in a facility that resembles a warm, clean home, residents can continue doing their usual routines independently. This way, they wouldn’t feel pressure from relatives or caregivers constantly hovering near them and treating them like frail individuals.
3. Caregivers Adjust To Their Changing Needs
Many things can happen to people once they reach their senior years. Some contract medical conditions, while others slowly succumb to their age. If these people stayed at home with their families, their loved ones might find difficulty caring for them and living normal lives.
However, when the elderly stay in assisted living, they’ll be looked after by people with knowledge and experience in senior care. These professionals know what symptoms to look for and what to do when they see them. Letting your older relative reside in an assisted living center gives them a better chance at a longer, healthier life.
Cons
1. It Offers Limited Privacy
People who live under one roof usually consist of a family connected by blood. However, in assisted living facilities, residents come from different walks of life and backgrounds. If your senior relative prefers to be alone most of the time, assisted living may do them more harm than good.
Some centers don’t provide private rooms for one person. Thus, two to three people must share a room; unfortunately, not everyone enjoys this arrangement. Additionally, the facility’s staff make their rounds and check on each resident daily. This routine can be overwhelming to an older person who values their privacy and may cause them to have anxiety.
You can bring your older relative to the nearest facility and let them stay there for a few days as a trial run. Remember that assisted living may not be for them if they have difficulty adjusting to a new place and group setup.
2. It May Not Offer Enough Medical Care
Since assisted living facilities aren’t designed to resemble clinics or hospitals, inadequate healthcare for seniors is possible. Some centers only provide primary medical care for their residents. If your elderly loved one has several chronic medical conditions on top of their advanced age, assisted living might not be the best option for them.
While caregivers are trained to deal with the basic issues, many seniors face, assisted living may be better for people who are still in good health. In fact, most residents in assisted living centers don’t require round-the-clock care and only need occasional assistance in daily activities.
3. It Could Be Expensive
If you compare the prices of nursing homes and assisted living centers, some results may show the former as more expensive. Many facilities cost around USD$3,000 or more per month, which is considerably less than a nursing home’s USD$7,000. But this isn’t always the case. Assisted living can also dent one’s pocket, especially if the resident stays in a one-person room.
The government considers assisted living as custodial care, which isn’t covered by health insurance like Medicaid and Medicare. This means that you have to pay for services out-of-pocket. But if your older relative has veteran’s benefits, they could use that as a payment option. In other cases, some people sell their houses in exchange for assisted living arrangements and long-term care.
Conclusion
Everyone deserves a comfortable and safe place to live for the remainder of their life. Some older people like staying in their homes, while others may find solace in an assisted living facility. This arrangement is ideal for seniors in relatively good health and who enjoy social interaction. However, it might not be great for those who prefer privacy and advanced healthcare.
Consider the pros and cons mentioned before selecting a facility for your elderly relative. Keep in mind that their decision is still significant in this circumstance because they could spend the rest of their lives here.