4 Assisted Living Myths Debunked
When it comes to making decisions related to assisted living, individuals and family members should take the necessary steps to get a clear and honest picture of what their options are.
A large part of the assisted living research process is getting clear on what’s true–and what’s hearsay.
There are many commonly held false beliefs when it comes to caregiving methods, medications, levels of care, mental health, and beyond.
If you’re considering assisted living as an option for your parent–yet feel uncertain about the validity of certain advice you’ve come across–this post will come in handy.
Read on to clear up confusion and misinformation surrounding four common myths about assisted living.
1. Moving to an Assisted Living Community Means Losing a Sense of Independence.
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Some seniors and their families assume that making the move to an assisted living community will mean the end of their independence.
However, with various choices of floor plans, activities, levels of care, and more, there could be nothing further from the truth.
Assisted living communities provide a safe environment with the right amount of assistance to enable residents to live more fully and independently.
No longer will you have to worry about your mother’s safety when making trips to the grocery store, or your father’s well-being as he attempts to cook dinner.
Doing away with the hassles of daily life, while maintaining independence and a rich life, is what assisted living is all about.
2. Residents in Assisted Living Get Less Personalized Attention Than They Would If They Lived at Home.
You may assume that with the numerous seniors residing in a senior living community, your parent will receive less personalized attention.
However, many assisted living communities have an impressive caregiver to resident ratio–ensuring that each resident receives the necessary attention and care.
At The Ashford communities, we provide a primary caregiver for each of our residents.
Our caregivers take the necessary time to not only care for each resident appropriately–but also get to know him or her on a deep and personalized level.
On the other hand, family members who attempt to serve as caregivers at home will often experience burnout and resentment–impacting the level and quality of care provided.
3. Assisted Living Is a Sad, Isolating Place for Seniors.
The media and pop culture of today often overly dramatize and skew the vision of life at an assisted living community.
Though some people may believe that assisted living communities are lonely and depressing places for seniors–the truth is quite the contrary.
Many assisted living communities are friendly, positive, and homey settings that provide seniors with a wonderful social life and enriched lifestyle.
With an easily accessible network of peers, stimulating extracurricular activities, delicious and nutritious meals, and kind and down-to-earth caregivers, many residents’ only regret is that they didn’t make the move earlier.
It may require some searching to find the right fit for your parent, but in the end, assisted living communities will add ease, safety, comfort, and joy to your loved one’s life.
4. Living in Assisted Living Means Seniors Will Have to Give Up Their Hobbies.
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Concerned that a move to an assisted living community will mean that your mother will need to give up her passion for gardening?
Or that your father will no longer have the ability to play chess and socialize with peers?
Think again.
Assisted living communities provide a wide range of activities to satisfy even the most particular of residents.
These communities make it a point to enable residents to continue to explore their passions and interests while ensuring increased safety and ease of daily life.
Don’t let myths like these hold your parent back from making the move to an assisted living community.
Hesitating to make the move for the above reasons only holds your parent back from living a fuller and safer life.
The Ashford communities provide assisted living options designed to replace an uncertain future with personalized support, social engagement, and peace of mind.
Call us today to schedule a tour of our Ashford on Broad, Ashford of Mt. Washington, and Ashford at Sturbridge (scheduled to open in fall 2018) communities, and see what we have to offer your parent!
