You’ve probably heard the saying “Home is where the heart is.” This is a timeless saying because it is true. Having a home makes it possible for us to live to the fullest. When we have a place to go to, a place with comforts uniquely suited to us, a place that we know is ours, life is simply better. However, fulfilling our need for a home can be a challenge. This is especially true as we get older and the house that was so safe no longer provides the convenience and comfort we need. Failing health can turn simple staircases into significant risks. Dementia results in unlocked doors and stoves left burning. Once things get to this point, a person is no longer thriving and it’s time to look for a new solution. However, people struggle here.
Why do so many people stress themselves out helping Mom or Dad get through daily life in their old home? Why do so many elderly people facing the risk of falling resist the move to improved safety and comfort? Why is the shift into assisted living such a dreaded ordeal for so many people when assisted living actually offers massive benefits and advantages? If these questions resonate with you because you have a parent (or two) struggling at home but refusing to make a change, you aren’t alone. Both good and bad change can be painful, but changing homes is one of the most stressful changes there is. In today’s blog, we want to discuss false hurdles that keep seniors entrenched in their homes and ways you can convince your loved one that change is necessary while maintaining a loving relationship.
How to Introduce and Discuss the Idea of Assisted Living
Step One: Escape the myth that assisted living means relinquishing independence and moving closer to death.
Before we go any further, we need to address a myth that is responsible for a lot of unnecessary fear: assisted living communities are “old folks’ homes” or “nursing homes.” This is an extremely outdated concept, and if you don’t get past it, it doesn’t matter how many conversation ideas or strategies we provide; you and your loved one will get nowhere.
Living at Home
- Not convinced? Consider a senior’s life in a traditional home. Cooking is a pain, so they no longer eat well. Bathing is difficult, so they put it off. Laundry is troublesome, so their clothing gets worse and worse. They have trouble getting around, so they begin to become isolated and depressed. They forget to turn off the stove and lock the doors. They can’t mow the lawn. There’s no one to help if they fall. However, they don’t want to leave the concept of a traditional home, so things just get worse (or their children wear themselves ragged trying to help).
Finding a Home In an Assisted Living Community
- Contrast the above paragraph with what life is like in a high-quality assisted living community like The Heritage. Nutritious meals are carefully planned out and cooked in-house by talented chefs. Staff is consistently around and ready to help if needed while preserving each community member’s independence and dignity. There are no more lawns to mow or bathrooms to clean. Medical appointments and transportation are professionally managed. Friends and activities are immediately accessible. Suddenly, life is far better and peace of mind makes it possible to truly thrive.
Turn to The Heritage
In our next blog, we will dive into ways to help your loved ones as they wrestle with their futures. In the meantime, we invite you to visit our world-class senior living apartments in Hammonton so you can truly understand just how many benefits our skilled team can provide. We do what we do because we understand the stress and difficulty of getting older. We consider ourselves allies to both seniors and their families. As a result, we constantly work to improve the excellent services we already offer, including meals, outings, wellness, cleanliness, comfort, and community. We also offer a secure, comfortable place where seniors with dementia can live their best lives. Don’t fall victim to misconceptions about assisted living. Instead, see for yourself how wonderful it can be. Contact us today!