Senior living options have come a long way since the basic nursing home. In fact, nursing homes are becoming somewhat of a thing of the past. They have been replaced by independent living facilities, assisted living facilities, skilled nursing facilities, and continuous retirement care retirement communities. Where people had pretty much one option as they got older, the system has become tiered to provide enough support but not too much. The overall goal is to empower people to live their best lives, no matter how old they are or what kinds of needs they have. We want our residents to feel at home, that they can still live their own lives, and that assistance is close enough to access.
Even though assisted living facilities offer many advantages, making the move to one of them can be a difficult decision for people and their families. Too often, myths about assisted living make a challenging transition even harder. In today’s blog, we want to share three common myths we often hear from people exploring assisted living. We want you to be able to make the best decision for yourself or your loved one, and clarity is key. Read on!
MYTH: When you move away from family, no one will be around to help.
If you have gotten used to having loved ones provide you assistance, the prospect of moving away from them and into a strange place can be very daunting indeed. You need to remember (or remind your loved one) that you are moving into a community with security and helpful staff that are available 24-7. Rather than suffering from isolation and less help, you may have more help than you know what to do with. All of our facilities are equipped with special features that make it easy to get help quickly if you find yourself in a pinch. These are features you won’t be able to benefit from in your home. Assisted living is better!
MYTH: I will lose all of my privacy and independence.
The prospect of having assistants and other residents in your space all the time can seem absolutely miserable, and if it’s causing you or your loved one anxiety, you aren’t alone. Many people mistakenly think that assisted living facilities are glass bowls, when in fact, they are created to maintain privacy. A good community will make privacy and independence high priorities. We offer numerous floor plan options with separate entrances, allowing you to furnish your own space and control your door locks. When you live in The Heritage, you feel at home and secure. If you don’t, we will fix the problem.
MYTH: I have to bid my hobbies farewell when I move into assisted living.
There is nothing further from the truth! At The Heritage, we deliberately encourage and facilitate our residents’ hobbies. As a result, our residents are more active and engaged than they were when living alone. Not only do we facilitate hobbies, we provide a bunch of programs for you to choose from. You will enjoy the benefits of being engaged and active, including greater health and happiness. You should absolutely not bid your hobbies farewell when you join our community. Instead, bring them with you. Let them make our community richer!
At The Heritage, we are on a mission to be the assisted living facility you think too good to be true (and then be true anyway!). Our dedicated team is always dreaming up new ways to make life more independent and fun for our community. Visit us in New Jersey for a tour and learn more about us today!