When Is Assisted Living the Right Choice?
September 23, 2021
It’s normal to feel conflicted about senior care. Decisions about assisted living are surrounded by feelings of sadness as families contend with a loved one’s declining health.
However, the decision to move into Encore at Avalon Park shouldn’t be a painful one. In fact, most families who choose assisted living feel an overwhelming sense of relief knowing their loved one is getting the care they need.
Assisted living benefits seniors too. A recent study found that senior living residents report better social, emotional, and physical health than older adults living in the community.
When to Choose Assisted Living
For most families, the biggest question is “When?” Everyone ages differently, which makes it difficult to know the exact right time for assisted living. However, there are certain warning signs to watch for:
- Worsening chronic health conditions.
- Frailty and/or loss of mobility.
- Frequent accidents or close calls.
- Difficulty managing daily living.
- Diminished hygiene.
- Unexplained weight loss, gain, or other changes in appearance.
- Loneliness, withdrawal, or social isolation.
- Signs of dementia.
- Caregivers who are struggling to cope.
Assisted living alternatives
Is assisted living the right choice for your family member? Assisted living communities like Encore at Avalon Park support seniors with daily necessities and provide a safe, age-friendly place to live. Many assisted living communities also offer memory care facilities for residents with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
Seniors who need a higher level of medical care are best served in a nursing home where they can receive 24/7 medical support. Meanwhile, independent living is ideal for older adults who want the services and amenities of senior living but don’t require nursing care.
Paying for Assisted Living
The cost of senior care is another big question weighing on families’ minds. Medicare doesn’t cover long-term residence in a senior living facility and Medicaid only covers certain low-income seniors. As a result, many families use personal funds to pay for long-term care.
Personal funds may come from savings, retirement funds, pensions, and investment income. Some seniors have long-term care insurance.
Increasingly, families are turning to home equity to pay for long-term care. The proceeds from selling a home can pay for several years of assisted living. If you’re thinking of selling, start getting ready now with repairs, improvements, and curb appeal updates. Homeowners should also read up on what to expect when selling during the coronavirus pandemic.
A reverse mortgage offers an alternative to selling when one spouse will continue living at home. However, it’s important to read the fine print before applying for a reverse mortgage.
A Smooth Transition to Assisted Living
Talking about assisted living is the hardest part. However, the worst thing families can do is avoid the topic. It’s much easier to have conversations about assisted living when everyone is well than to wait for an emergency.
Discuss what your loved one wants as they age. Do they want to live close to friends and family, have an active social life, and enjoy a low-maintenance lifestyle? Senior living communities can deliver this and more.
Support your senior family member through the transition to assisted living. Like any move, familiar faces ease homesickness and help seniors acclimate to a new environment. Visit regularly, encourage your loved one to get involved in community events, and introduce yourselves to the neighbors and staff. If you anticipate a difficult transition and plan to be close by for the duration, it may be worth renting an apartment if you don’t live in the area. Ideally, you want to find a place in close proximity to their new home, but you don’t want to overspend, so make use of online listing sites that offer price filter specifics.
Everyone wants to age in a place that feels like home. But for some older adults, home isn’t the safest place to live. Assisted living communities like Encore at Avalon Park make the decision to move to senior care an easy one with spacious apartments, attentive staff, and a vibrant community where your loved one can thrive. Want to learn more? Visit Encore at Avalon Park, or contact us to schedule a tour.
