Many people are reluctant to move from home but know staying forever is unrealistic because things are getting harder to manage. Your kids are nagging you, too. Maybe you’ve considered moving, but what is assisted living?
The assisted living model is not medical; it’s social. Don’t think of assisted living as a facility; it’s not. It is a residence that people feel like they call home. Maybe you know someone who has moved, but what is it like living in an assisted living community?
Assisted Living: What to Expect
Imagine walking into a building that feels like an apartment complex, a condo, a quaint bed and breakfast, or maybe even a high-end resort hotel. A familiar concierge/receptionist sits near the front door to help you mail a package, let you know when the podiatrist is scheduled to come, to help you arrange transportation to the doctor or request assistance in your apartment. They greet your friends and family when they visit.
Down the hall, you have a private apartment to which you have the key. People who work there also have key access for housekeeping services or in the event of an emergency. The lobby is inviting and reassuring because it always reminds you that you don’t live in a medical facility. When you walk in, you know most of the people hanging around or passing by, and they say, “Hello.” You look at the dinner menu to see what the specials are and check your mailbox on your way to your apartment.
When you walk in, it does feel like home to you even though it is smaller than you imagined for yourself. You have become accustomed to it because it is much easier to manage, and you don’t spend all day in your apartment. Plus, you have everything you need, and it felt so cathartic to clean out and downsize finally.
Your apartment has a kitchenette with a refrigerator and freezer. You brought your microwave, coffee pot, etc. Meals are included in your rent, and you are pleased with the dining options and food quality. Perhaps you just want to grab coffee and a muffin in the morning or have a full breakfast, the choice is yours.
Once a week, a housekeeper comes in and cleans. They strip the bed, wash the linens, and make it up again. This is scheduled for the same day each week. You choose not to pay the extra fee for personal laundry because you don’t mind doing your own wash in the small laundry room a few doors down. You also appreciate the ease of not having to pay utility bills since, except for cable, they are all included in your rent. You are relieved for your sense of security that if there are any maintenance issues, even a lightbulb needing to be changed, help is there.
You like many of the programs offered, especially the exercise classes and some of the trips. You don’t attend every opportunity because you appreciate your alone time, but you are glad to have the choice to do something other than sit at home. Having transportation to the bank and grocery store makes things so much easier and they take you to your doctor’s office for your appointments.
Knowing that if you have a fall, someone is there to help gives you a sense of relief. Your kids stopped nagging about that, too! It was not easy making this transition, but looking back now, you see that home is a feeling, not a place. In assisted living, you feel like you have more independence than when you were still at home, and your kids worry about you less.
Maybe it is hard for you to imagine this is even possible.
Assisted Living Services
Assistance with activities of daily living or ADLs
Companionship services
Housekeeping services
Laundry services
Medication assistance and management
Meal preparation and dining halls
Personal care services
Transportation assistance
Trying Assisted Living
This is why many people move into assisted living for a respite or “trial stay.” They can get a feel of the community before making a permanent move if available. They benefit from the amenities and services and any care support, all while still considering staying in their house. Staying in a furnished apartment with no obligation lets you see firsthand whether assisted living is a good fit.
Choosing an assisted living community is a little like choosing a neighborhood to move to. Each one has a different look and feel. Each has its unique culture, and a wide variety of aesthetic options exist. Where you live matters.