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It can be overwhelming when you decide to move to an assisted living or move an aged loved one to an assisted living home. The entire process has several stages, and you can look forward to the positive side of living in an assisted living home through this informative write-up. Before discussing the pros and cons of assisted living, it’s important to understand the basic concept of assisted living.
What is Assisted Living
Assisted living in the current times is constantly changing their services and care standards to match the needs and requirements of seniors. Several assisted living homes help address needs like independent living, help in activities related to everyday living, and memory care.
Due to the presence of caregivers in the assisted living residence, existing residents tend to live in the assisted living community, even after their requirements change.
Now that you are aware of the basic concept of assisted living, the next part will discuss the benefits of assisted living. Additionally, the disadvantages of assisted living will also be mentioned.
What are the Benefits and Disadvantages of Assisted Living Facility
The total population of senior citizens in the entire United States is around 40 million. Nearly 3 percent of the total population currently lives in assisted living facilities or nursing homes. Due to the need for seniors to have round-the-clock care but are not fully dependent can move into an assisted living community. However, there are some benefits and disadvantages of any assisted living, which have been mentioned below:
Advantages of Assisted Living
Assistance with daily living activities
Seniors living in the facility can get help for their daily activities like taking a bath, preparing their meals, and other personal tasks.
Chance to socialize for Senior
As there are several seniors in the assisted living facility, your aged loved one will not feel lonely and also get to socialize with people of their age groups.
Greater privacy and a home-like setting
Residents can get some amount of home-like privacy and personal freedom.
Feeling of Independence for Seniors
Seniors in the assisted living facility can have their sense of independence and get help whenever needed for some tasks instead of depending on people around them.
Lower Cost than Nursing Homes
Compared to nursing homes, the costs are comparatively less since these assisted living facilities do not provide continued medical care.
Scheduled activities that keep you on a routine
Assisted living facilities provide senior residents with different events like arts & crafts, field trips, exercises, and much more.
Disadvantages of Assisted Living
Living costs can be quite expensive
Living costs in assisted living can go up to $40,000 or more, and the national average is around $3500 for a single bedroom.
Insufficient Medical Care
Seniors with important medical needs may not meet all the medical care needs. Such situations often happen with seniors suffering from memory issues like Alzheimer’s or Dementia.
Limited privacy for seniors
Seniors might not get time to themselves as they are surround by assisted living staff members or the residents.
Adjustment issues
Some seniors might find it difficult to adjust to the regulations and policies in assisted living facilities.
No scope for personal choices
Many assisted living facilities do not provide scope for choosing your way of relaxing, consuming, and purchasing.
Care quality might deteriorate over time
An in-home caregiver can be change if their care quality starts to deteriorate. However, if the assisted living staff has an overhaul, you might need to look for a different assisted living facility.
Strict rules and policies
Some rules in assisted living facilities are quite well thought out. But some rules do not make sense. Therefore, unknowingly breaking or disregarding any of the rules could be a cause for your dismissal from the assisted living facility.
Final Thoughts
With the pros and cons of assisted living mentioned in the previous paragraphs, it is easy to understand why thorough and proper research is necessary to ensure that your aged loved one can live their best life with minimal stress and maximum independence.
Now that you are aware of the pros and cons of moving to an assisted living facility, search for the most suitable assisted living facility for your aged loved one.
