Hello, my name is Amelia. Welcome to my site about nursing homes and assisted living facilities. When my mother developed a hip problem that prevented her from safely living at home alone, we started the long search for a suitable place for her to live. We toured each of the facilities in our area to find the one that felt most like home while providing all of the support and security she requires. Through this site, I would like to help other people weed through the options to find the best possible place for their loved ones to live. Thanks for visiting my site.
Exploring Nursing Homes and Assisted Living
Things To Consider When Deciding About Assisted Living
John Wilson
If you have a loved one who has gotten older, they may be approaching a stage where living on their own is too difficult. From declining motor skills to forgetfulness and the beginnings of dementia, there are many things in older age that can make living alone a struggle. If you're considering a senior assisted care center for your family member, you may be wondering if it's the right choice. Here are some of the things to consider as you weigh out the decision.
Your Loved One Can Retain Some Independence
If your loved one is hesitant about going into a care facility because they don't want to lose their independence, an assisted living facility may be a better choice than a nursing home. After all, assisted living is so named because the residents have more independence, and the staff is only there to assist with the things that they are unable to handle themselves.
For example, if your loved one is mostly able to care for themselves but needs some help with meal prep, medication reminders, or other tasks, the staff will provide support where it's needed without interfering in the rest of their daily activities.
Assisted Living Eliminates Many Household Tasks
If maintaining a home, both in repairs and housekeeping, has become too difficult for your loved one, assisted living may be an ideal option. Living in a residential property like this eliminates the need for home repairs, yard maintenance, and many other household chores. This is beneficial if there are no family members who are able to help with keeping up with this type of work.
There Are Socialization Opportunities
Assisted living facilities are their own small communities. There are events, including game nights, social mixers, and more that your loved one can attend. This is great for those aging family members who find themselves isolated at home due to reduced mobility and an inability to get out to the things they used to do. Since social activities and engagement are shown to help slow the progression of dementia, this is important to consider.
The Adjustment Can Be Difficult
When you're trying to decide on assisted living versus offering support at home, you need to also consider the fact that the adjustment into assisted living can be challenging for some people. While assisted living offers more privacy than a nursing home, it does mean having less privacy than they would in their own home. In addition, the loss of their home can be an emotional struggle for some. Be prepared for this and to help your family member through the transition.
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