Assisted Living versus Living at Home

According to a nationwide survey in 2000 conducted by AARP, 95% of American seniors in the age group of 75 or older stated that they prefer living in their own homes as opposed to an independent care facility or a retirement home. Research proves that even those living with chronic diseases, illness’ or disabilities, living at home is the best option for an elder’s mental health and wellbeing.

A medical alarm device is an option seniors can consider instead of moving out of their home to an assisted living facility. For seniors that already live in a professional care facility, a medical alarm or some type of medical alarm device can also be extremely useful. These products can be used alone or along with the care giving services provided by the assisted living facilities.

There are many elderly persons living alone that need constant care and have daily caregivers. There are 54 million caregivers in the United States caring for a relative or elderly parent. Sometimes the emotional and physical toll it takes on caregivers and the elderly is enough to make them want to turn to other options.

When assessing the pros and cons of living in an assisted living home versus living at home, moving to an assisted living facility isn’t always the best solution for those who just need a little extra help around the house.

Although seniors that live at home or in an assisted living facility can usually get through most of the day on their own, they sometimes need assistance with daily activities like bathing, medications, food preparation, etc.

While living in an assisted living facility, they can still enjoy limited social activities, make their own decisions, and interact with others in their age group. Independence and self-sufficiency with privacy is an important factor. Most assisted living facilities provide very minimal care but most offer a comfortable apartment living space with security 24 hours a day.

These residences are a popular alternative for seniors that can no longer live on their own without regular assistance. These facilities tend to be more like a home and less like a nursing facility. More than one million elderly persons are living in assisted living facilities. The problem with these figures is that as the demand for more facilities rise, so will the abuse statistics, the shortage of nurses, and some assisted living facilities may even take on people that they can’t adequately care for. Therefore, not only will those issues rise, so will the numbers of fatalities and depression.

The old saying, “there is no place like home” holds true to this situation. Most elders would rather stay in their own home for as long as they can, instead of moving. Security and independence is a main factor here. If they are living in their own home, they can be mobile, do shopping, cook, attend to household chores and continue socializing.

In situations like these, medical alarm devices can be extremely useful. They are small water proof personal emergency medical alarm pendants that are monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They are wireless so they can be worn as either a medical alarm necklace or medical alarm bracelet. When the subscriber wearing the medical alarm pendant presses the emergency button on the pendant or the control panel it automatically notifies the list of contacts that was chosen upon subscribing at the same time continues to notify emergency medical services if needed. Medical alarm devices not only have the basic features of two way communication, 24 hour access but response time in just seconds. Most services offer add on services of medication reminders, meal reminders, health checks, daily wake up calls and wellness checks. All these added features can be reassuring in an emergency situation.

Moving can be the most stressful event in the life of an elderly person. Giving up their home of many years sometimes makes them think they have given up independence and self dignity. Physical conditions decline, activities become limited, frustration and anger can replace the peace and joy of ageing gracefully. Living in an assisted living facility can become lonely for people used to independence and doing what they want on their own. Adapting to others and building a whole new social live is sometimes difficult. We need to think of these concerns as our loved ones start to age. A simple solution like a medical alarm can help seniors age in peace, enjoy the independence they desire and have the peace of mind that during an emergency, assistance is just a push of a button away…

 

Posted on 06.27.08 10:30AM

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