There are many factors to consider when thinking about the future: where you’d like to live, will you be able to care for yourself, how your decision will affect your family, and so on. One decision you may be considering is choosing between aging in place and senior living.
At PMMA (Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America®), we are dedicated to providing you with the information and guidance you need to make an informed decision.
Would Aging in Place Work for You?
It’s tempting to picture an ideal retirement in the family home you’ve occupied for years, with friends and neighbors close by and adult children available to assist if needed. But the reality is, as the years go by, things can change. Neighbors move. Friends are not available. Family members are wrapped up in taking care of career concerns and raising their children.
The result is you may be pretty much on your own, which can lead to isolation, so harmful to mental, emotional, and physical health. Feeling left out or lonely poses a greater risk of serious diseases and leaves you depressed and stressed.
Nutritional needs may suffer. Dining alone at home can become quite boring as the years go by. It can be easy to feel that meal planning and preparation just aren’t worth the effort, which leads to a lack of important nutrition.
Physical activity often dwindles. Aging in place might conjure up a cozy image of reading by the fireplace or sitting on a lovely front porch. But therein lies the problem: sitting. Too much sitting. It’s imperative for older adults to get physical exercise as they grow older.
In fact, a study found that increasing physical activity led to an 11 percent drop in heart disease risk among people aged 60 and older, while stopping physical activity increased heart disease by 27 percent. Even older people living with disabilities or chronic conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes benefited from exercise.
Aging in place often provides little mental stimulation. People need people, and it’s true for our brains as well. Older adults who connect with one another often and engage in activities that stimulate the mind are less likely to experience age-related cognitive decline. That’s why being in a setting with ongoing options for lifelong learning is so beneficial as a person ages.
Security can be a concern as well. Strangers at the door late at night. Unscrupulous “repair crews” coming by with offers to repair a roof or fence but who never do the work. Just having to deal with emergencies such as power outages, leaky roofs, or severe weather can lead to a dangerous situation.
A change in mobility can slow everything down. You may no longer feel secure driving, which means you will need to arrange for transportation to physician’s appointments, pharmacies, family events, or other locations.
And then there’s at-home care. The fact is many older adults require support as they age. Finding a reliable and trustworthy caregiver for at-home care, as well as scheduling and financing care, can be a time-consuming and expensive process. Needs may change over time, requiring a higher level of care which may be beyond the scope of a home health aide.
Is a Move to Senior Living the Right Choice for You or Your Loved One?
There’s a lot to be said for having the peace of mind that comes with knowing you have a sound plan for your future, even if needs change. Choosing a senior living community gives you that reassurance, with a range of important amenities and services that are designed to enhance your quality of life, help you stay well and active, and open a world of opportunities for you. Here are just a few reasons why many older adults opt for senior living over aging in place.
1. Socializing. You need never be lonely again! Senior living surrounds you with interesting, like-minded people who welcome you on a daily basis. Join them for parties, meals, special events, classes, walks around the community, volunteer events, coffee and conversation, and so much more. You’re not only having more fun, but you’re also avoiding all the negative effects of being lonely.
Related: The Role of Social Interaction in Senior Health & Aging Gracefully.
2. Amenities. Home may be familiar, but it may not offer the premium amenities you’ll find in some senior living communities, such as a fitness center with senior-friendly equipment, multiple dining venues offering an array of chef-prepared meals, a library and computer center, outdoor courtyards, a pool, and more. Plus, as a resident, you receive a wealth of services as part of your monthly fee, such as housekeeping, scheduled transportation, programs, activities and events, wellness counselling, and more.
Related: Today’s Senior Living Communities: Amenities That Matter
3. Safety and security. In senior living, you can relax and let someone else take care of everything. That includes providing a watchful eye 24/7 on the property and no strangers knocking on your door in the middle of the night.
Related: Peace of Mind: Safety Measures in Senior Living Communities.
4. Experienced care. When you’re comparing at-home care with a move to assisted living, you want to be sure you will receive the type of care you need. Residents receive assistance with dressing, bathing, grooming, medication management, and regular visits by healthcare professionals such as physical therapist or podiatrists and even scheduled transportation to physician appointments.
PMMA is Excited to Bring You the Care You Need
Most of our communities are Life Plan Communities. This means access to every level of living for each season of your life. Let us tell you more.
Download our free brochure or contact us to learn more and to schedule your personalized tour.
