As you start getting older, you might start contemplating how you’re going to spend your later years. Not everyone is thrilled about the idea of living in a senior community, but a lot of this feeling has to do with prejudice and misconceptions. Not everything about these facilities is perfect, however, and they’re not for everyone. This is why you need to look at both sides of the coin when making your decision.
Here are some of the pros and cons of assisted living for seniors:
Pro – They Can Foster a Real Sense of Community
You need to look at the world around you and see how many people will be there to support you when you’re older. Everything might seem fine now, but if you don’t have a large network of family members and friends around you, you might be underestimating how lonely life can be as a senior.
You also don’t know what type of issues you might have to deal with later on. You might start suffering from things like dysphagia where you can’t swallow everyday foods. Having to prepare your meals when you get older is already tough as it is, but it’s even tougher when you have to deal with restrictions.
It’s also common to experience mobility issues, and degenerative disorders like dementia or Alzheimer’s as you age. Having people close to you who can help with everyday tasks could not only help to improve your safety, but could even slow down the progression of neurodegenerative diseases. With this in mind, being in a senior home could help keep your mind sharper for longer.
Con – They Can Also Feel Alienating
Not all senior homes do a great job of building a true sense of community. It all depends on how many staff there are and how dedicated they are. The size of the facility will also make a difference. It’s wise to look into the types of community building activities an assisted living home has. Some will have routine activities or clubs that people can join. Even having a nice backyard can do a lot to bring people closer.
So, when looking at homes, we suggest that you check how residents are interacting with each other. If you’re seeing plenty of groups and you notice they’re having fun, this is usually a good sign.
Pro – They Allow You to Live a Normal Life
If you’re already noticing that you’re not as strong and sharp as you once were, assisted living facilities will help you gain a sense of normalcy. You also won’t feel like a burden on the people around you.
If you really want to feel at home, it’s a good idea to opt for a smaller community. They offer different sorts of accommodation, enabling you to pick the one you want based on how much autonomy and privacy you want. Usually their staff will be there to attend to your needs 24/7 and give you the assistance that you need no matter your condition.
Con – They Can Be Expensive
It’s worth mentioning that assisted living facilities can be expensive. When looking around different facilities, it’s worth inquiring into the financial requirements and asking how much you can expect to pay exactly. The national median rate for nursing homes around the country is around $3500 per month, which is pretty significant. On the other hand, you won’t have to worry about things like meals and will have someone at your beck and call whenever you need them. This leads us to our next point.
Pro – Convenience and Simplicity
Convenience and simplicity might not be the first things people think about when considering the benefits of an assisted living home, but you’d be surprised at how much simpler your life will be once you move in. No more having to deal with dirty laundry. You won’t have to worry about cooking or cleaning either. No more having to take out the trash or even do groceries. Everything will be taken care of for you.
Con – The Risk of Abuse
This is one of the scariest parts of living in an assisted home and has to be addressed. Abuse happens in facilities all the time and is something you will need to watch out for. One of the best ways to prevent abuse is to make sure that the facility is properly staffed. From then on you will need to do some research into the facility and its history. Speaking with a few residents and people working there could also give you an idea of how well they’re treated and if they feel safe. The general mood and disposition of the employees and management should give you a good first impression of what they stand for.
Conclusion
These are just some of the benefits and disadvantages of assisted living facilities. At the end of the day, you’re the only person who knows what is best for you, so check out a few facilities in your area and check to see if you could see yourself living there for the rest of your life.