It is a very common and blase reaction when people widen their eyes and raise eyebrows at those who live in old age facilities and institutions rather than with their children. It is considered worse if the children have put their parents in such a facility.
The truth is that it is far easier to judge a situation from afar than to see it in its entirety. Life is hardly ever understanding and hits us with situations that leave us with no option but to do things we thought we never would. But not all the time does life control us. Sometimes, we choose something that seems most right, considering the conditions.
Whether it is due to a certain unfortunate circumstance, an unavoidable situation, or whether it is a choice of your own, if you are looking to know which option is the one to go with for your retirement housing, you are in the right place. In this article, we explain why the comparatively new concept of Senior Living Communities is better than nursing or old age homes.
What are Senior Living Communities?
Senior living communities are housing communities or complexes specially designed for senior citizens. They include all the facilities and activities a normal housing society offers, such as gardens, club houses, and activities, except that they are specially created for senior citizens.
Independent Living
This includes non-assisted living for seniors who can take care of themselves and do not require constant attention. Assistance and medical professionals are still available on the premises whenever necessary.
Assisted Living
Assisted living is where a person is present to assist the senior whenever necessary. This is generally for those who do not require complete assistance like that which is provided in nursing homes but requires assistance with certain daily activities. These are done with care and with a personal touch to maintain a homely feeling.For a blend of support and independence, senior living communities in Glendale, Arizona provide personalized care while ensuring residents feel right at home.
A Mixture of Both
There are no limitations to your options at senior living communities, you can choose to opt for assistance only during required hours or period. You can also customize it the way you like by speaking with the personnel.
Most of the best senior living in CA provide flexible packages and a completely luxurious experience.
Key Difference between Senior Living Communities and Nursing Homes
Autonomy
Nursing homes are institutions, whereas senior living is a community. There are restrictions and routines in nursing homes, but senior living is more autonomous and gives the residents not the feeling of a kid at boarding school but the casual autonomy that a normal housing complex resident receives.
A major worry among senior citizens is whether they will be treated well and whether they will be able to do what they wish to do when they wish to do it. Senior living communities are basically just separate living complexes for seniors; apart from that, you really couldn’t tell them apart from a resort well-equipped with medical professionals and care takers.
Socialization
In most nursing homes, you’re on your own when it comes to making friends and building a community. Senior living communities conduct various activities and actively encourage friendship and socialization. The various troubles and similarities that you can tell only those who face them themselves can be shared with the new friends that you make.
Activities
The activities at a Senior living community are not based on a set routine that the members must follow but are much like a resort where sports, walks, reading, and other activities are available and can be used whenever desired.
These activities are not only for fun and entertainment, but they will also involve much needed yoga, fitness, and exercise classes. Residents will be able to avail themselves of all types of activities and hone many hobbies and skills like cooking, art and craft, etc.
Overall Wellbeing
When it comes to other senior institutions, the aim is to care for them physically, and not much attention is paid to their mental and emotional wellbeing. Senior living communities provide a variety of community activities and have all medical facilities and personnel present to help as and when their need arises.
Why Go for Senior Living?
As we age, our bodies begin to support us less and less. Each senior citizen has certain medical conditions, whether minor or severe. For most of our youth and adult life, we have our lives in our hands, and when we suddenly must be taken care of, it feels like we are a burden. There are times when immense guilt fills us when we can do nothing more than babysit.
There is also a significant factor here that most of us do not take into consideration. The care and facility that a professional and a specialized housing provides cannot be matched with what a normal individual can do. Getting a full-time caretaker could be a good idea if it is possible.
A big misconception regarding separate housing for seniors also involves the idea that they are miserable and lonely there. Though that may be true in cases where their kids force them to stay there, or they have no other option, in general, the living conditions and community feeling at senior living facilities are nothing short of comfortable and engaging.
Many senior citizens themselves prefer to spend their retirement in such places as they do not wish to be a burden on their kids. A big reason is also that one gets bored without any actual activity to do. At senior living communities, one has numerous activities and people to engage with.
A big misconception is that being in separate housing necessarily means being cut off from your family when senior living communities do not impose any restrictions on meetings and visits.
Conclusion
If you wish to spend the latter half of your life in comfort, peace, and happily occupied with activities and friendship, you should go for a senior living community. You needn’t worry about boredom, being a burden, or anything else ever. There are various varieties of stay available depending on your requirements.
