Assisted Living Mythbusters

Assisted living is a topic that often comes up when families start noticing changes in their loved ones. For some adult children, outdated myths about senior housing can make it tough to even consider encouraging a loved one to make a move. But waiting until a crisis occurs can make a tough topic even more difficult to manage.

This is why we are busting some of the most common myths about assisted living. We hope it helps you gain a better understanding of the benefits offered by senior living communities.

Assisted Living Community Mythbusters

Myth #1: Assisted living communities are just fancier versions of nursing homes

This may be one of the most popular and persistent myths about assisted living communities. Families of seniors often believe that assisted living communities offer the same type of care as a nursing home.

The truth is that nursing homes focus on providing skilled health care and services. Nursing home residents often need a higher level of more complex medical care. By contrast, an assisted living community is designed to help older adults with what are referred to as the activities of daily living (ADL). ADLs include tasks such as bathing, dressing, hygiene, medication management, housekeeping, meals and laundry.

Myth #2: Assisted living communities are not regulated

This is another common misperception that causes families to be unnecessarily concerned about a senior loved one’s safety. In fact, assisted living communities are licensed at the state level. Each state legislature writes and enforces their regulations. Then the Department of Health is tasked with overseeing each community’s compliance with those laws.

Myth #3: Assisted living communities are too expensive for most seniors

Another popular myth is that the average senior can’t afford an assisted living community. When all provided services and amenities are factored in to the cost (meals, activities, utilities), assisted living communities are often affordable for a wide range of seniors. And it is a less expensive solution than a nursing home. Chesapeake Cottage can help you explore financing options, such as the Aid & Attendance benefit for veterans and their surviving spouse, MAC subsidy, Medicaid waiver and Long Term Care Insurance.

Myth #4: Residents are lonely and bored

Assisted living communities can actually help to improve a senior’s quality of life. Assisted living communities are dedicated to meeting each resident’s intellectual, spiritual, social, emotional and physical needs. The friendships that develop at assisted living communities can also be very beneficial.

Myth #5: Assisted living apartments are small and residents have to give up most of their belongings before they move While it is true that most residents will be required to downsize if they are moving from a large home, room sizes vary. For some seniors, it can be a relief to move to a smaller, more manageable size space. Others might prefer a two or three bedroom. Whatever size apartment or suite they chose, residents are encouraged to bring their favorite pieces of furniture, family photos to hang on their walls and whatever belongings they treasure most. We hope this helps give you and your family a better understanding of what an assisted living community truly is and how it might be a good option to consider for the senior you love!