We all have to think about how and where we will want to live and spend our retirement and senior years. The idea for many has been to stay in their own home or with family and friends for as long as possible. It’s regarded as the best choice for the elderly, and even those who can afford the best residential care will swear by the benefits of staying in their own home.
There are a number of reasons, however, why this stay-at-home option might not work, nor will it always be the best solution for elderly and senior care. This article clearly shows and discusses the instances wherein staying at home in older age just won’t work.
Access and mobility
As soon as there are any challenges associated with the mobility and movement of the older person, you will need to consider making adaptations to the property. Often these can be simple and easy to implement, such as a ramp or a stair lift, but they can be exorbitantly expensive and will only be a means of prolonging the inevitable need for improved access and ground-floor living. In these instances, staying in the home can be more uncomfortable than it is worth.
Specific and bespoke care required
Senior living with any form of physical or mental health afflictions can be a struggle, and in most cases, these individuals will need some specific and personalized care and attention. Again, the aim is to keep the older person comfortable and avoid unnecessary change, so if they are moving to a residential home, it should be in the same community if possible. This also means that as soon as a chronic illness or elderly health issue is identified, such as memory loss, you need to be looking for a memory care nursing home near me to ensure that the older person gets to be close to friends, family, and familiar places while receiving the best care possible.
To be closer to family
It may be all well and good for your family to visit, but as we age, it is more important to be closer to family. For older adults, it may become more important to move from an existing and comfortable abode to live closer to those that they want to spend more time with. It is about being able to make these choices and plan early to be able to have your elderly residential care close to family and friends.
The trend in elderly and senior living circles has been for older adults to attempt to stay in their own living space and homes for as long as possible. This may include having in-home carers visit or even buying a home in a retirement community. However, as discussed in this article, independent living should never be prioritized in favor of the realities and practicalities of aging and growing old gracefully. Sometimes it’s just not the best option.
