Assisted living is the fastest-growing senior living segment in the United States, with thousands of older adults choosing to move to a community rather than “age in place” at home. But despite its popularity, there are still many myths surrounding assisted living that may prevent older adults from making the move. If you’re thinking about assisted living options for your loved one, here are some quick facts you should know.
#1: Assisted Living is not the same as a nursing home
Assisted living communities are very different than the nursing homes (now called skilled nursing facilities) of decades past. Skilled nursing is intended for seniors who require round-the-clock medical attention from licensed nurses, whereas assisted living was designed for older adults who are independent but could use a little extra help with day-to-day activities like bathing, dressing, or managing their medications. While skilled nursing residents may have a single or semi-private room, assisted living residents typically have their own apartment suites, which allow them to maintain their privacy and independence.
#2: Every assisted living community is unique
As you start to search for an assisted living community, you’ll soon realize that no two communities are exactly the same. Assisted living communities can vary greatly in terms of size, design, and layout. They might offer different types of on-campus amenities, like restaurants and cafés, transportation services, movie theatres, and beauty salons. Assisted living communities may also provide differing levels of care, such as specialized memory care for residents with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia. With this in mind, be sure to visit and tour multiple assisted living communities so you can compare their services and offerings.
#3: Couples can often live together
Assisted living can be an attractive option for couples who want to remain living together but require more help with day-to-day activities than they can manage on their own. It’s not uncommon for couples to live together in the same assisted living apartment suite, even if they have differing care needs. For example, one person may need assistance with several personal care tasks like bathing, hair care, and dental care, while the other just needs a hand with laundry or housekeeping. If the assisted living community offers a wide range of care services, it will likely be able to accommodate a couple’s unique needs and prevent them from being separated.
#4: Many communities are pet-friendly
Some older adults mistakenly believe they can’t move to an assisted living community because they can’t bring their beloved pet. However, many assisted living communities welcome furry friends! Research shows that pet ownership can have significant benefits for older adults, which is why more and more communities are becoming pet-friendly. In most cases, residents can bring one cat or small dog. Some communities will also host pet therapy so all residents can enjoy the benefits of animal companionship.
#5: Residents stay busy
It’s hard to be bored in an assisted living community! Residents fill their schedules with a variety of fun activities, from fitness classes to book clubs to happy hours and everything in between. Residents choose how to spend their days, and they can participate in as many—or as few—events and activities as they wish. With so many opportunities to stay busy and socially engaged, it’s easy for residents to meet new people and create lasting friendships.
Do you want to learn more about assisted living? Contact us today to receive information about Bethany Village’s Assisted Living options.
