When Should You Move To An Assisted Living Facility?

Residential facilities for the seniors vary with a senior’s health needs. Many prefer to live at home where they feel comfortable and are familiar with their surroundings. If either the wife or husband dies, the one remaining might consider moving to an assisted living facility. Living at home and living alone makes daily living solely dependent on the one remaining. There is no one to help with the laundry or to shop at the store for groceries. Independent living as you knew it is no longer possible. Moving to an assisted living facility now appears to be a good possibility.

1. What Makes Living in Assisted Living Facilities Good for a Senior Who is Reasonably Well?

Assisted living facilities are not for seniors who are seriously ill. They might be a little bit frail and require help with preparing their foods, bathing, and dressing, doing the laundry or with getting dressed. They also might need to have help in remembering to take their daily medications. Otherwise they live independently and do not require daily medical care.

2.What Is the Difference Between Assisted Living Facilities, Independent Living and Nursing Homes?

a) Independent living is for seniors who are able to live independently but no longer wants to own their own home. They might want to live in an Adult community filled with seniors of their own age and similar interests. An independent retirement community offers extensive social activities and bus or boat trips. Many independent living facilities also might offer, at an additional charge, home cooked meals and social activities.

b) Assisted living facilities are geared towards the elderly who require some in-home assistance; like cooking, bathing or getting dressed. They do not require ongoing daily medical treatments or intensive care.

c) Nursing homes usually care for the very old, very frail and extremely sick who are waiting to die. They no longer can care for themselves. Most have real serious medical conditions and require daily and intensive medical care.

Consider the various types of care available to seniors whether they live alone or with their spouse. Those who are healthy, even thought they have reached old age, can remain living in their homes for as long as they can manage. For many it will be until they die. Others might give serious thought to moving to assisted living facilities.