Did you know that there are around 28,900 assisted living communities in the USA today?
There is no better choice than assisted living if you or a loved one could use some assistance with day-to-day activities. Yet, common misconceptions about assisted living can put off the senior citizens who need it most.
If you’re thinking about finding a retirement community for yourself or a loved one, it can be difficult to know exactly what to expect. That’s why we’ve put together this helpful guide to debunk some of the most common assisted living myths.
Read on for everything you need to know.
Assisted Living and Nursing Homes Are The Same
There is a big difference between a nursing home and an assisted living retirement community.
Nursing homes and other inpatient settings are for senior citizens who have chronic health concerns and require 24-hour elderly care from medical personnel. Assisted living communities can help with everyday tasks such as getting dressed and bathing, which can be challenging or risky for residents to perform on their own. They also provide:
- Regular meals
- Medication management
- Cleaning
- Entertainment
- Social events
In assisted living, residents will always be in charge of the support they receive, whether it’s assistance getting up in the morning, medical management, a helping hand in the kitchen, or simply someone to talk to.
Assisted Living Residents Lose Their Independence
This is completely false. In fact, assisted living is designed to help aging adults retain as much independence as possible. Residents are always free to engage in as many or as few activities as they choose to. Assisted living organizations provide a schedule full of interesting activities and events, such as:
- Yoga courses
- Handicraft workshops
- Sports
- Board games
People who live in retirement communities are free to decorate their homes, eat whenever they want, participate in activities that interest them, and visit their friends and relatives whenever they choose. If residents choose to go on vacation, the assisted living community will take care of everything while they are gone.
Elderly Care Is Too Expensive
One of the main benefits of assisted living is that it consolidates care costs into one affordable package.
Staying at home might end up costing significantly more in the long term. Keep in mind your family’s medical history and the possibility of unexpected care needs in the future.
Even if you aren’t currently paying for at-home support, it’s usually less expensive to combine living, dining, house maintenance, and personal assistance expenditures by aging parents to an assisted living facility.
Assisted Living Myths Debunked
So, that’s some of the most common assisted living myths debunked.
Assisted living is a great way to get the help and support you or a loved one needs without compromising their sense of independence. Why not start looking for the perfect retirement community today?
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