Senior Living Adds Comfort and Reassurance for Many

The institutional, white-walled and smelly image that used to be associated with nursing homes is becoming a stigma of the past. While many people still want to live at home as long as they can, research shows that senior living communities may be the healthier option; especially after a spouse dies.

While many seniors still prefer the comfort of their own homes over moving to a retirement or assisted living community, this decision may not be the best—or most informed—option. Most of these people consider life in an “old folks home” a sentence where they go to die; they don’t realize that senior living has evolved into a sociable, healthy option with a myriad of amenities and care options.

Living Alone Changes Everything

In recent years, senior care facilities have diversified into a wide range of increasingly tailored care facilities—respite care, hospice care and retirement care are just a few of the new options. And  once a spouse dies, the comfort of their own homes is, well no longer… comfortable. According to 87-year old Phyllis Spade, life got lonely after her spouse passed: “Once the funeral flurry is over and friends who’d been so attentive have retreated to their own lives, a loud silence echoes through empty rooms. Reality sets in: I am all by myself. Is staying alone a good idea? Should I consider a senior living alternative?”

Living alone may seem like the best option, if it’s still feasible—but the cozy nest loses  much of its comfort when a spouse is gone. And daily responsibilities of a family home can be a lot for anyone, let alone a senior. The truth is that the duties can take a toll, and the companionship that was once there is not keeping the person going. Cleaning, doing laundry, walking up and down stairs and gardening can be a challenge. And family relationships can get tense—especially when the house requires maintenance and the senior requires daily help with normal chores and meal preparation.

Then There’s the Concern for Senior Safety…

The worst-case scenario can be daunting… If the senior falls and can’t get up, or if he/she gets sick and requires 24-care and supervision. Vulnerability is scary and no one deserves to live in fear. There are options to cater a home to accommodate senior needs, but these options can be expensive. This is when careful consideration of what the best option/s are for you and your family member need to be weighed.

So while living in a retirement or assisted living community may not be the best option for all; it’s definitely worth evaluating for yourself or a loved one. The senior living and care options today can actually enrich seniors’ lives, with the many amenities—from luxurious dining to spa services and gardening—and socialization perks. This is why education is so important. Contact us for senior care and resource information if you’re ready to find senior living options in your area.

Related articles

• Making the Move to Senior Housing (everydayhealth.com)
• 4 Secrets to Slow Aging: Senior Retirement Communities Share Insight (aplaceformom.com)
• Senior Centers Export Services to People at Home (money.usnews.com)

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