THE TRUTH AND MYTHS OF RETIREMENT HOMES
Today’s Retirement Homes Are Not What You Imagine
By Robin Kalmek
One of the reasons it is difficult to discuss housing with seniors is the persistent myth of the “nursing home.” Often, the phrase invokes images of sterile hospital-like settings, where sick and frail people roam the halls, and our loved ones are crammed into clinical rooms like sardines, with little or no privacy.
This “nursing home” option is still available, of course, for those seniors who are seriously ill or have no ability to care for themselves independently. But “nursing homes” is simply one option available for seniors these days. The truth is there is no longer a “one-size-fits-all” model for “retirement homes,” and a number of alternative housing options are now available for seniors. Decisions can now be based on each individual senior’s level of independence and needs. When it comes time to choose such a facility, keep an open mind and put aside many of the common misconceptions that have developed around senior housing.
MYTH: I’ll Lose My Independence
Truth: For many seniors, living in a home grants them an independence that they might never find living alone.
Most seniors do not have to give up their privacy in order to move into senior housing; modern retirement homes feature individual living spaces with private bathrooms, and access to common areas within the communities.
Moving seniors from a large house into a senior housing facility may seem traumatic, but the majority of seniors find it to be a positive change, especially those who have problems with mobility or vision, or those who no longer wish to maintain a large home themselves. Those that are relatively healthy can find assisted living facilities that retain much of the feel of an apartment complex. For a price, they can be quite luxurious, but most feature conveniences such as telephones, cable television, Internet and a private mailbox. Most rooms at assisted living facilities have their own kitchens, even if they serve meals in a common area. Assistance is still available when needed, but it’s not always there every hour of every day.
MYTH: No One Will Visit Me
Truth: Friends and family are always welcome, and encouraged to pay as many visits as possible.
One persistent myth that concerns many seniors is that moving into a home will result in a loss of contact with family and friends. In reality, while visitation might be restricted in nursing homes for health reasons, many assisted living facilities are always open to family and friends, and they tend to encourage families and friends to participate in many of the community’s social activities and day trips.
Many retirement homes, from assisted living facilities to nursing homes, offer a wide variety of programs and activities for residents, including book clubs, exercise classes, art or gardening, day trips to local attractions, movie nights, and birthday parties. However if they prefer to opt out and enjoy some alone time in their apartment, they are free to do so.
MYTH: I’ll Lose My Space
The small living space and easy manoeuvrability available in each room, combined with en-suite bathrooms, often proves to be an ideal home.
When considering a senior housing facility for your loved one, keep in mind that these facilities provide a wide variety of experiences, and seniors no longer have to give up their privacy or independence to live in one. They don’t have to be cut off from friends and family, and they won’t have to feel as if they are alone, unless they choose to be so. Though the image of the “nursing home” persists, retirement homes can be whatever your senior loved one wants it to be. The truth is that modern retirement communities are much different than those available for previous generations of seniors.
