Retirement home vs assisted living?! What are the advantages and disadvantages of a nursing home for the care of the elderly? Increasing age will increase people’s need for family and relatives. Elderly people’s lack of ability to do their daily tasks, taking daily medications and special diseases of this age increase the need for care or nurses for them.
Due to the busyness of children and elderly family members, they do not have much time to take care of the affairs of the elderly. Therefore, children are always worried about the health of their dear elderly. On the other hand, they are forced to continue their lives in loneliness, which leads to depression.
The loneliness of our elderly mothers and fathers will sometimes have complications such as the spread or exacerbation of old age diseases such as depression, forgetting to take medications, malnutrition, etc. Therefore, children are hesitant to choose a nursing home or care for the elderly at home by a nurse or caregiver.
Retirement home vs assisted living?! Deciding to send your elderly parents to a nursing home is a difficult decision with many reactions: Why do you want to send your parents to a nursing home? Those who have worked hard for you for years, why don’t you take care of your elderly parents yourself? At least use care and nursing services at home, etc. All of these blames have caused the family members to suffer severe emotional pressure and stress.
In this article from humanhealthmag, we want to compare retirement home and assisted living and see which one is the best choice?
Retirement Home vs Assisted Living?!
The choice between retirement home and assisted living is often made in favor of assisted living. But every elderly person’s life at home is not easy. Almost all older people want to stay at home as long as possible, although they may need more support and services as they age.
However, both of these options provide an acceptable level of care. But each person’s unique situation, including your own, will determine which option is more appropriate.
If you’re in doubt about which type of care is best for you or your elderly loved one, you can start by the pros and cons of retirement home vs assisted living.
I can’t take care of my dad anymore, what should I do? When it comes to caring for an aging parent, there can be many challenges.Even if you live near or with your aging parents, you may not be able to care for them. So what to do when you can no longer care for an aging parent?
Retirement Home vs Assisted Living: What Are the Pros and Cons of Retirement Home?
The conditions of caring for the elderly are always effective in the search and selection of a retirement home. Sometimes the elderly person himself/herself wants to continue living in retirement home. Retirement homes are designed according to the conditions and needs of the elderly. Then, it can be said that these centers are ideal for those who have major health problems. Also, facilities and skilled nurses are available in these centers to provide the care your elderly need. In general, retirement homes offer more advanced medical and care services than assisted living.
The Pros Of Living In A Retirement Home
Retirement homes work 24/7 and the elderly will be available whenever they need care and medical services. These homes are safer than home, especially for seniors with Alzheimer’s, who are prone to leaving the house alone and getting lost.
Many Retirement homes have strict security measures in place to ensure the safety and care of their patients. This is especially helpful for those suffering from dementia. Are you aware from the positive effects of free short stories for dementia patients?
There are socialization opportunities for the elderly in the retirement home. These centers often host regular activities such as games, performances and music, watching movies, outings, etc. These activities give your target senior an opportunity to socialize and make friends. At home, the only family members and close friends around are the elderly, and there may not be much access to meet new people.
The Cons Of Living In A Retirement Home
Think a little; Your first choice should not be a retirement home. Think about your parents and elders, if you were their age, would you want your children or grandchildren to take you to a nursing or retirement home? All elderly people expect from their children, they tend to spend their sweet years with their family and loved ones.
It is hard for them to stay away from their children and family. Being alone makes them suffer from depression and other mental illnesses. These diseases affect people’s mental and physical health. It should be noted that socializing with children and relatives is very effective and positive in the spirit of the elderly. The most important disadvantages of caring for the elderly in retirement homes and related centers are as follows:
- Retirement homes cause the elderly to lose their independence.
- Living in a retirement home may make the person feel old and hopeless.
- The environment of the retirement home is sometimes noisy and definitely unfamiliar, which can affect the mood of the elderly.
Retirement home vs Assisted Living: Pros And Cons Of Assisted Living
Caring for the elderly at home means providing services such as helping to be mobile and meeting other physical needs of the person, bathing and taking the toilet to the elderly, preparing food for the elderly and helping him eat, following up on medications and checking the person’s health status, home affairs from cleaning seniors’ room to other things related to them.
The Pros Of Assisted Living (For the Elderly)
Elderly care at home provides privacy and independence for a person and he/she can feel safe in his/her own home. This type of maintenance is less destructive for patients with dementia or Alzheimer’s. Keeping an elderly person suffering from these diseases in a nursing or retirement home can do more harm than good. However, in terms of safety, such patients are safer in these homes.
Elderly at home has the chance to develop a personal relationship with the person who cares for him/her. But in the nursing or retirement home, they do not get the attention they need.
The elderly are more comfortable at home and more familiar with the environment. The elderly can live independently and comfortably at home. At home, he/she can be with his/her friends and family. Maintaining this community and feeling of comfort is also beneficial for this person’s mental state.
The seniors can maintain their independence and make their own decisions. In the retirement home, they go according to the schedule and even their eating and bathing are according to this schedule. Finally, the average cost of home care is often less than care in a retirement home.
The Cons of Assisted Living (For the Elderly)
Retirement homes and nursing homes usually include professional caregivers and all the things that cover the needs of the elderly. But these conditions do not exist in every house. The home may not have the level of security needed by seniors living in a full-time care facility.
If you have to hire an in-home caregiver for an elderly person, hiring one can be challenging. You need to make sure you hire a nurse who is committed. At home, it may not be possible to take care of the elderly in question 24/7.
Retirement Home vs Assisted Living: The Final Comparison
There comes a time in life when seniors or their families realize that they need to get outside help, whether they want to solve the problem with home care or take steps to move the person to a retirement home. Choices like these are never easy. No one wants to send their parents to a retirement home, but some seniors need 24-hour access to medical care and professional care services.How I appealed and got more home care hours?
There are countless considerations for making this decision. But based on extensive research by researchers about nursing the elderly at home and a retirement home, it is better to care for the elderly at home if possible. The following points prove this:
- Seniors who stay at home live longer than those who live retirement homes, and many studies have confirmed this fact.
- Those who stay at home are physically and mentally healthier than the elderly living in retirement homes. In fact, home care promotes the healing process.
- Research has also shown that sick seniors who are cared for at home recover faster and more easily than those in nursing homes.
- Many retirement homes have restrictive regulations. And even the children of the elderly may have to visit their parents only at certain times.
- Elderly people who are in retirement homes are more likely to be hospitalized.
- Elderly at home are less likely to experience isolation, loneliness or depression and disability.
- At home, family members can participate more in caring for the elderly and they enjoy more peace of mind.
- Home care is less expensive than retirement home care and the like.
- In home care, personalized care plans are possible.
Concluding Remarks
In the end of retirement home vs assisted living, receiving assisted services at home has made families closer to each other. Because during old age and illness, an elderly person needs the support of every family member. With the help and companionship of an elderly caregiver, along with creating and maintaining a safe environment for the elderly, children can visit their loved ones at any time and have a good time with their loved ones without worry or stress.
When the physical condition of the elderly is suitable and you can take care of him at home. The elderly only need a nurse or caregiver to help them with their daily tasks. You can hire a caregiver for your elderly and take care of the elderly at home.
But if you are not able to take care of your elderly person full-time and you are worried about his loneliness and depression, entrusting him to a good and reliable retirement home can be a good solution for you. But you should be careful to visit them frequently after leaving them in the retirement home, because being away from your child will make them feel homesick and depressed.
FAQs
What Is a Retirement Home?
A retirement home is a care facility that provides care and support to older people who are unable to live independently.
What Is Assisted Living?
Assisted living is a type of care provided to older adults who need help with certain daily tasks. Assisted living services can be provided in a person’s home, in an assisted living apartment, or in an around-the-clock care facility.
Should I Consider a Retirement Village?
The best option for you depends on your individual needs and preferences. If you need assistance with activities of daily living (such as dressing, eating, and bathing), medical care, rehabilitation, and social activities, a retirement home may be the best option for you. If you need more help with daily tasks, but don’t need round-the-clock care, assisted living may be a better option.