For many people, the idea of living in a retirement home or an assisted living program is an affront to their dignity and independence. The majority of the aging population would prefer to stay in their own homes, and live out their days surrounded by their own belongings in a comfortable environment.
For many seniors, staying in their own home, or “aging in place” is more possible now than ever. With a little pre-planning, more people can live independently even when some assistance is needed.
Physical Modifications to the Home
Mobility and safety are the two key concerns when considering whether an older person should stay in his or her home. Often, simple changes can be made to make sure that a person can easily access important areas of the home.
For example, some older people may have difficulty with stairs. If a house has two stories, handrails can be installed which make stairs easier to navigate. If climbing stairs is impossible, motorized ramps can carry a person between floors. If a ramp or carrying system is too expensive, rooms on the first floor may need to be converted into a bedroom and bathroom.
In the bathroom, simple modifications like handrails and grab bars in the showers can prevent falls and other accidents. Some older adults may benefit from a seat in the shower, so that they do not have to stand for prolonged periods. Additionally, installing shower heads which are lower to the floor and extend can be useful for adults who need to remain seated
Taking care of the individuals that are getting older takes many different needs. Most of these needs cannot be given from the help of a family. This causes the need of having to put your love one into a home and causing for the worry of how they will be treated. It is important for the family and also the soon to be client to feel at home in their new environment. This has been an issue with the care being provided for each individual, which has lead to the need of making sure individuals have their own health care plan.
Another lady who resides at an assisted living facility that I operate gave me her views of living there. Her history is that of having dementia and she was becoming so forgetful, she was scared of burning her home down. Therefore, she and her family decided to move her to a place where she would have assistance in getting things done. She states
Mr. Henry and his wife need medical care coordinated throughout the health care system to receive proper treatment and prevent health complications, encouraging their independence by remaining in the same setting. Marek and Rantz highlight that by providing care coordination and health care services for older adults residing in specially designed senior apartments, older adults will not have to move from one level of care delivery to another as their health care needs increase; and they will have the opportunity to “age in place” (Marek & Rantz, 2000). Care coordination starts with a comprehensive assessment of each of Henry and Ertha individual needs for health and social support, and by developing an individualized plan of care for each of them. “Patients should be evaluated, and care plans should be designed and implemented according to the individual needs of each patient (American Geriatrics Society, 2012, p. 1966). As Mr. Henry and his wife health care needs increase, they can receive periodical physical examinations to monitor their underlying health problems, and for early detection of complications remaining in their apartment. This will prevent negative outcomes associated with relocation, and medications and treatment noncompliance.
One thing every living organism has in common on this planet-- age. No one wants to age or face the fact that aging is inevitable. However, since it’s impossible to beat the never ending time clock that is life; everyone wants to be as comfortable as possible when age finally does catch up with them. When the majority of people think of comfortability in old age, they think of living in their own homes and being surrounded by their loved ones. Not many individuals want to be placed into a nursing home type facility because they can’t imagine themselves being comfortable that way. Nonetheless, even though being placed in a home does take away some of an elderly person’s independence, usually the independence lost is in activities that person can no longer do for themselves. Indeed, nursing homes do have their own set of scary stories behind them; life lost, independence lost, and privacy lost, yet many of those stories are outdated. Upon investigation, it would be easy for anyone to scare themselves out of a nursing facility due to the stories that are out there. Yet, upon even further research people would be able to see how far the United States has come in their development and evolution of nursing care facilities. The care of the elderly in the form of nursing homes has faced a tough evolution starting off with a harsh past, to what nursing homes are like now, and what people can expect for the future of these homes.
A vast majority of the population that is nearing retirement age tend to experience a feeling of "unfinished business" and begin planning their golden years around accomplishing them. As retirees, many may start a new hobby they've always wanted to do, write a book, traveling or even going back to school in some cases. So one method a retiree can maximise the time available to accomplish all of those things is to enter a senior housing facility, and be free from the burden of caring for a home.
If you've ever thought about senior homecare, you've probably heard or read some home care myths that made you stop and think twice about it. With only a third to a half of seniors receiving homecare going through a professional care agency, many family care providers wonder what the reluctance is. Perhaps some of the myths are true?
“What the state and nation should do is provide services that allow our growing population of seniors to live independently in the community and the home,” explains Stuart Kaplan. Another point Kaplan and Deutsch made was that there are an increasing array of seniors in the world. With people living longer, the needs of a 65 year-old senior can greatly vary from someone over 100 years-old. “There needs to be an investment in elder care,” Kaplan stated. Because of this need, Selfhelp developed a range of services to reach even a bed-restricted senior.
Assisted living communities are a becoming a more fiable choice among seniors and the aging population. Many senior
Sadly, many seniors lack options when it comes to post-hospital or interim home care. Family has often moved away or cannot take off the time it takes to provide quality home care to the extent needed, and a senior spouse simply may not be physically able to provide the needed support. Convalescent homes
Understanding the benefits of assisted living homes is important in determining where a loved one will best enjoy their remaining years. The ability to remain independent, yet have the appropriate level of care can relieve stress for both family members and the loved one. There is a big difference between assisted living and nursing home facilities. Realizing these differences can help ease the idea of leaving home behind and moving into a facility with round the clock care.
Although many families want to do what is best for their loved one, they may be required to make the decision to place them into a nursing home because it is too hard to care for them on their own. Even though this is a very hard decision, they find themselves questioning themselves whether it is the right time for this big change. How do you know it is time? What are some of the signs? At Johns Hopkins Memory and Alzheimer’s Treatment Center, researcher Peter Rabins, talked about some of the signs you will see to help you better decide. If the development of a physical impairment advances and the caregiver can no longer meet the demand of help, it may be time to place the loved
Yoneil Edwards Susan Ehtesham-Zadeh English 1101 26 March 2018 Assisted Living vs. Nursing Homes: Which is right for you? When senior citizens are no longer able to independently take care of themselves, families tend to seek different facilities where loved ones will have proper care such as assisted living or nursing homes. Selecting the right care can make the difference in a family member's happiness or lifespan. The distinctions between assisted living and nursing homes are that assisted living values and encourages independence, while nursing homes provide more medical care.
When seniors hear the term, "assisted living" often the idea immediately corresponds with various myths that are associated with senior living facilities. In reality, senior assisted living communities are dedicated to empowering aging adults. Assisted living provides easy access to care assistance, companionship and activities while seniors continue to maintain their independence. Moreover, senior living facilities strive to help residents feel at home. Myths about senior assisted living shouldn’t be allowed to overshadow the positive benefits. Let us shed some light on the truth behind four of these myths.
As we age, life can throw a few curve balls at us. The day you find that AARP advertisement in the mailbox is a day you'll never forget. Growing older doesn't have to mean you cannot stay in your own home. With a plan of attack, you can prepare your home or the home of a loved one for quality living in a safe place as a senior citizen. You have choices.
Are you an empty nester who is currently thinking of downsizing to a smaller, more cozy home? Are you looking at your options and trying to figure out what best suits your living style? Are you confused between the differences between independent and assisted living? These questions and answers will give you the information you need to make the right choice for your lifestyle: