Pros and Cons of Assisted Living
Posted by Donna Mae Scheib on March 08, 2017
Pros and Cons of Assisted Living
Here are some insights on the pros and cons of assisted living.
Assisted living facilities are growing in popularity among seniors, as they offer a viable alternative to staying at home or living in a skilled nursing home. However, making the decision to move into an assisted living facility is a difficult one.
Today’s seniors have many options available to them. For seniors who would benefit from around-the-clock assistance but don’t require skilled nursing care, an assisted living facility could be a great choice. Assisted living has its drawbacks, nonetheless. The following are some advantages and disadvantages.
Pros of Assisted Living
One of the greatest benefits of assisted living facilities is that residents get 24/7 care and support while at the same time being able to maintain their privacy and independence. Staff members are simply there to assist with daily living activities, like bathing, dressing, and preparing meals. The following are some other advantages of assisted living:
- Scheduled activities and socialization opportunities
- Greater privacy than nursing homes
- No need to do home maintenance or chores
Most importantly, assisted living homes allow seniors to continue to lead a fairly independent lifestyle. The care is available when they need it, but it’s not ever-present. Assisted living homes are perfect for seniors who don’t need full-time attention, but require assistance with daily activities.
Cons of Assisted Living
There are also drawbacks to assisted living. Not only can it be costly, assisted living facilities lack the extensive medical care that nursing homes offer. Seniors with Alzheimer’s and other chronic conditions might require a higher level of care than assisted living facilities are capable of providing. If you have chronic health conditions that require daily monitoring or treatment, a skilled nursing facility might be a better choice.
For some seniors, adjusting to life in an assisted living facility is challenging due to the group environment. Seniors might feel like they have less privacy at an assisted living facility than they do in their homes.
Seniors who require more than basic assistance with eating, bathing, dressing, and other daily activities might need the more intensive care available in a nursing home. On the other hand, seniors in good health who require minimal help might be better off at an independent living facility, which provides residents with a safe living environment and access to assistance when needed, yet offers more independence.
Find a Senior Living Community Now
Choosing the right senior living facility requires one to consider long-term health care needs, as well as the senior’s preferences. Find the right senior living facility for your loved one on Senior Living Link. Start your search today!
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