For many aging adults, there’s an almost unavoidable decision that must be made: choosing between aging in place or moving to an assisted living community.
Without question, aging in place is a natural preference and may seem desirable to most. But it’s important to also think about what the future may hold with changing needs and wants – including your health care needs, physical limitations, desire to socialize, and much more.
To help you make an informed, confident decision for the long run, we’ll further discuss aging in place and assisted living, so you can think through benefits and risks. Keep reading to learn more.
Why Do Seniors Choose to Age in Place?
For most aging adults, the appeal of aging in place is self-explanatory. Most people would prefer to live out their lives in the comfort of the home they know and have grown to love. If you’ve lived in the same home for a number of years, you’ve probably made changes over time so the house suits your needs and preferences.
Maybe you’ve added a garden or painted the house in your favorite colors. Perhaps you’ve even built a deck to relax on throughout the day and bask in the warm, summer evenings. These personal touches are why it’s natural to want to stay in the place you’ve worked so hard to make your own.
In fact, nearly 90% of aging adults want to live out their lives in the comfort of their own homes as they age.
But if you want to age in place with your spouse or by yourself, it’s vital to be aware of exactly what aging in place entails and some of the risks that can come with this way of living.
Are There Risks When Aging in Place?
While aging in place is a goal many seniors strive for, there are things to consider before finalizing your decision. Understanding the risks is essential to managing avoidable mishaps. For instance, older adults who choose to age in place are susceptible to a variety of risks, such as the very real potential of falling and injuring yourself in your home.
The fact is that more than 300,000 seniors are hospitalized each year from broken hips, and 95% of these fractures are the result of a fall.
Also, isolation is fairly common among aging adults, and seniors who live alone may not speak to anyone for days at a time. The risk of falling combined with the reality of growing isolation provides real incentive to live in a community that offers an ideal balance of camaraderie and care.
Why Do Seniors Choose Assisted Living?
- Maintain Independence
Having your own maintenance-free residence is the foundation for your independence in assisted living. Remember, assisted living is just that – assistance, a helping hand. You can continue to live as independently as possible, decide how you want to spend your days, and have total freedom to make your own decisions and choices.
- Achieve Peace of Mind
In assisted living, you can rest assured that you’ll always have assistance available whenever you need it. Especially in case of an emergency or unforeseen crisis, help is only a moment away in an assisted living community. Licensed staff is on hand 24/7 to meet your needs and ensure that you’re safe and cared for at all times.
- Stay Socially Engaged
An assisted living community is the perfect place for you to be around other older adults also drawn to a maintenance-free, sociable lifestyle. Wide-ranging activities and events provide opportunities to make friends every day, whether staying in or going out on the town.
- Increase Physical Activities
Finding new and creative ways to stay active in an assisted living community is easier than you may think. That’s because they provide for your physical needs with arranged activities designed to promote both physical and mental wellness. From meditation sessions to water aerobics, you’ll be able to find the perfect physical activities to highlight your day and keep you feeling invigorated.
How to Choose Between Aging in Place and Assisted Living
There are definitely health and social risks to aging in place, since most homes aren’t equipped to handle the special requirements involved in caring for your needs as they change with age. Ultimately, however, choosing between aging in place and assisted living depends on your personal desires and circumstances.
Assisted living facilities are equipped to handle the challenges you may face as you get older. They tailor their services to the needs of the seniors who live there.
Assisted living is a safer and healthier option if you don’t have the necessary support as you get older. Before making any decision, take some time to thoroughly understand your individual needs, and don’t hesitate to contact several assisted living communities that seem like they may be a good fit for you. Touring a community in person is the best way to see if it looks and feels like a place you would be proud and happy to live.
Consider Assisted Living at Friendship Village
At Friendship Village Chesterfield and Friendship Village Sunset Hills, our residents appreciate the thoughtful mix of assistance and independence they find in our two St. Louis-area communities. They’ve traded concerns about homeownership, isolation, and the what-ifs of health care for fun, friendship and peace of mind.
Contact us to learn more about our senior living communities or our home services for seniors. We can answer your questions and arrange a personal tour.