Older adults are particularly susceptible when it comes to health and safety issues. As we become older, our safety requirements and concerns change, necessitating changes on the part of elders. Elders must be proactive about their health, safety, and social lives in order to succeed in retirement. In the wake of the worldwide epidemic, there has been significant worry regarding the safety of retirement communities. It’s critical to look at the true evidence on the safety of retirement in order to make an informed decision and rise beyond public concern. Here are some ways assisted living can be safer than in-home care.
Accessibility Issues
As soon as you enter through the front door, aging in place at home begins to present obstacles. Though many older adults express a wish to remain at home as long as possible, if they require a walker or other mobility equipment, or if their stamina is limited, their house soon becomes unsuitable. Climbing up and down the stairs throughout the day will be difficult for elderlies with low levels of endurance. Elderlies, for example, may be unable to properly reach and use high shelves or cupboards. For the elderly in a wheelchair, kitchen counters can be far too high, and pass-through places might be inconvenient if the older adult uses a walker or other mobility equipment. Elderly living communities are built with the needs of the elderly in mind. Every aspect of the flats, corridors, and dining areas has been designed to meet the requirements of older folks.
Socialization Concerns
The socialization impairments that come with living at home alone or with a spouse are maybe just as difficult as the environmental challenges of aging in place. Increased connection with others has been connected to bad effects ranging from high blood pressure to depression to cognitive decline, while the diminished connection with others has been linked to negative repercussions ranging from high blood pressure to depression to cognitive decline. Seniors living alone are more likely to feel lonely if they don’t have secure transportation to and from dinners out with friends, book club meetings, or places of worship. Though home health care and family visits might help alleviate some of the stress, being at home actually reduces the number of meaningful interactions with peers and new acquaintances. Senior living communities, on the other hand, are bustling hives of activity where members may meet new neighbors at a live performance or catch up with a close friend who lives down the hall over coffee. Residents are healthier as a result of socialization, which is natural and simple.
Wellness Challenges
Even the healthiest older adult has a unique set of wellness issues while they age in place. Living at home, for example, requires the older adult to drive or arrange for transportation to the gym for an exercise class, outpatient treatment sessions, or medical follow-up visits. In the event of an emergency, the elderly person at home must dial 911 or have a method to contact people if they fall or become ill. The majority of the elderly would like simple access to wellness programs aimed at keeping them as healthy as possible. Unfortunately, this is not something that can readily be accomplished at home. In addition to events like wellness fairs and health talks, senior living homes provide on-site fitness programs and counseling services.
