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Why Assisted Living May Be Safer Than Aging In Place?

September 19, 2023 0 Comment Category: Betenu Health

You only learn the acronyms and slang terms used in the senior care profession as you become older. Perhaps you’ve heard the expression “aging in place” and wondered what it meant. Aging in place often refers to employing resources and support services to continue living in one place as you age, which is frequently the family home. Although this idea sounds beautiful, it is not necessarily the best or safest choice for maintaining optimum health.

Sadly, aging in place can have negative effects on wellness, socializing, and accessibility.

Accessibility Problems

The difficulties of aging in place start the moment you enter the house. Although many older persons express a wish to live at home for as long as possible, if they use a walker or other mobility device or if their stamina is limited, their home soon becomes inaccessible to them.

Think about the master bedroom. Seniors who have poor levels of endurance due to a recent hospital visit or general deconditioning will find it difficult to climb up and down the stairs throughout the day if it is on the second floor of the home.

Socialization-Related Issues

The socialization impairments that come with living at home alone or with a spouse are maybe just as difficult as the environmental issues associated with aging in place. Peer socializing that is healthy has been connected to good health advantages, but social isolation has been linked to detrimental effects like high blood pressure, depression, and cognitive loss.

Access to possibilities for healthy socialization is considerably reduced when aging in place at home either by themselves or with a companion. Seniors living alone are more likely to feel lonely if they don’t have secure transportation to and from places of worship, reading clubs, or dining out with friends.

Wellness Challenges

Finally, even the healthiest older adult faces a unique set of wellness issues when they age in place. Living at home, for instance, necessitates that the elderly person drive or arrange for transportation to outpatient therapy sessions, the gym for a workout class, or follow-up doctor’s appointments. The elderly person who resides alone must be able to dial 911 on their own or have a means of getting help if they fall or become ill.

The majority of elderly people would want to have quick and easy access to wellness programs that are intended to keep them as healthy as possible. Unfortunately, it is difficult to accomplish this at home. In addition to activities like wellness fairs and health lectures, senior living facilities often provide on-site fitness programs and therapy services. What’s best? These activities and resources are all just a short stroll down the hall away.