What Are Pros and Cons of Assisted Living?
If you are an older woman considering an assisted living community, you certainly need to know the pros and cons of residing in such a facility or residence. The same holds true if you are the adult child of an older woman who is wondering whether assisted living makes sense for your mother. There are a number of pros and cons associated with living in an assisted living community. We address the pluses and minuses of living in an assisted living community.
Pros of Assisted Living
There are a number of important positive reasons why life in an assisted living community can be a wise move for a person. Some of the more significant pros of assisted living include:
- Assistance with tasks of day to day living
- Housekeeping
- Free transportation
- Enhanced safety
- Better nutrition
- Social engagement
Assistance with tasks of day to day living: A primary pro associated with assisted living is that a resident is able to obtain help with basic tasks of day to day living. These include such thing as bathing, dressing, and related types of tasks.
Housekeeping: As a person ages, in some instances their ability to tend to housekeeping effectively is thwarted at least to some degree. Another of the positive elements of live in an assisted living community is help with housekeeping. In an assisted living community, you are provided with your own living space – an apartment or a room. Even though it is your own space, you receive assistance with housekeeping as part of your overall fee for living in that type of community.
Free transportation: As an individual ages, a person oftentimes becomes less capable of tending to transportation needs. Another item on the assisted living pro list is the provision of transportation. Residents are provided transportation to a wide range of activities and appointments, including medical appointments, shopping, and so forth.
Enhanced safety: An assisted living community provides enhanced safety and security for residents. This is yet another of the positive elements on the list of pros and cons for residing in an assisted living community. One of the greatest risks older single people face living alone is a health emergency at home and not being able to get assistance in a time manner. In addition, older people are more vulnerable to become victims of crime. These risks are reduced through living in an assisted living setting.
Better nutrition: Many older people lack proper nutrition. As some people age, they become less committed to preparing appropriate nutritious meals on a regular basis. Some turn to eating so-called junk food as a type of self-medicating for problems or issues they are experiencing in their lives. When residing in an assisted living community, residents receive nutritious meals every day.
Social engagement: Assisted living also provides residents with very important opportunities for social engagement. The ability to interact with other people is understood to be crucial when it comes to maintaining the overall wellbeing of individuals in their Golden Years.
Social engagement comes in a number of forms in an assisted living setting. These include everything from shared meals to recreational activities to enrichment and entertainment opportunities.
Cons of Assisted Living
While there are many positive elements associated with assisted living, there are cons as well. If you are considering a move to assisted living for yourself or for an aging parent, it is important to appreciate both the pros and cons of living in this type of setting. The primary cons of assisted living include:
- Cost
- Living with others
- Some restrictions on independence
- Somewhat regimented lifestyle
Cost: One the cons when considering the possibility of moving to an assisted living community is cost. They believe that the costs of residing in an assisted living community are inordinately high.
The average cost of an assisted living community in the Los Angeles area is somewhere in the neighborhood of $6,500 to $7,000. You need to keep in mind that the cost includes room, board, and a full range of services – including meals and transportation. In other words, when you examine what an assisted living community offers a resident, you are likely to find that these types of facilities are worth the cost.
Living with others: Some people list living with others as a downside to life in an assisted living community. For some people, living with others can be an adjustment. However, research has demonstrated time and again that older people benefit significantly when they have regular interaction with others.
Some restrictions on independence: On the negative side of the column, it is true that assisted living may appear to put restrictions on a person’s independence. On the other hand, an argument can be made that assisted living allows for more independence. For example, an older person who can no longer drive has access to transportation when she moves into assisted living.
Somewhat regimented lifestyle: Some individuals believe that a negative aspect of assisted living is that it forces a regimented lifestyle. In fact, in most instances, a person in assisted living has the ability to do a great many things in her own way and on her own time.