There are many reasons families hesitate moving their elderly loved ones to assisted living. There are also several reasons an elderly person may resist this change.
Some of the reasons for this hesitation are valid, but many times the perception seniors and families have about assisted living are not completely accurate.
Here are 6 myths about assisted living:
Assisted Living Is Not Affordable
It’s true that the cost of senior living in San Diego County is higher than in some other areas. But if you add up all a senior’s current household expenses, the costs may not seem as high as you think.
Keep in mind that assisted living includes meals, snacks, housekeeping, activities, transportation, water, gas and electric and basic cable.
Plus, the expenses a senior has now for their mortgage, utilities, household maintenance, yard care, insurance and property taxes are no longer a factor.
And with the value of real estate here, selling a senior’s home in San Diego to use the equity to pay for a community may be a possibility.
See our Assisted Living Cost post for average prices in San Diego County. If the senior is a veteran, there may be help from a little known VA benefit.
Moving Means Giving Up Independence
For seniors who are truly independent (able to drive, cook, keep house, etc and enjoy those tasks) this may be true. So for those seniors, a move probably doesn’t make sense.
But for the majority of seniors who are struggling to manage all those tasks, moving to a San Diego County assisted living community will free them up to enjoy more of their lives without the burden of the day to day tasks.
And for seniors who also need a little help with personal care, this is even more true.
Having supportive care frequently leads to improved health and outlook on life. And with it, greater independence, not less independence.
A Senior Will Feel Alone If They Move to Assisted Living
It is true that some seniors move to assisted living and keep themselves isolated. But the majority thrive in the social, stimulating environment a senior community provides.
This can be especially true for a senior who has lost a loved one.
With many varied activities available, assisted living communities have been shown to alleviate boredom, lessen depression and increase feelings of well being in their residents.
Seniors In Retirement Communities Do Not Control Their Lives
An apartment in a senior community is similar to any other apartment. How a senior chooses to spend their day is still completely up to them. They can participate in as many, or as few, activities as they would like.
It’s true that meals are held in a dining room, and this can be a difficult transition for some seniors at first. Communities do give their residents the option to eat in their rooms (not recommended) if they prefer.
And seniors in retirement communities are free to come and go as much as they would like. This is true whether the community is an assisted living facility or an independent living facility in San Diego.
And if a senior still drives safely, they can bring their car. Checking in and out is required for safety.
Assisted Living Communities Are For Old, Sick People
In reality, this couldn’t be further from the truth. An assisted living community is very different from a nursing home.
Assisted living communities in San Diego County are designed to enhance quality of life.
These are residences where seniors can receive the assistance they need so they are able to remain capable for as long as possible.
Of course, we all age, so as time goes on the demographics of communities will change. So some communities will feel a bit “older” than others.
But there is a place for every senior that is the right fit for their stage of life.
