When it comes to looking into a retirement
home or an assisted living residence one of the common misconceptions is that
these are solely for widowers and those people living alone. While this may be
the case in certain senior homes, there are certainly examples of those that
allow couples to relocate together.
One facility may require a couple
to stay in separate private bedrooms while another assisted living residence
may be quite happy for a couple to stay together as they have for the earlier
years of their lives. This is something to consider before you decide on which
facility is best suited to you.
Couples relocating to an assisted
living residence
Simply put, no assisted living
residence should have a problem with you and your husband or wife relocating
together. Those that do are sadly missing out on one of life's rare little
gems; that of companionship. Whether you've spent all of your married life
together or just the past few years, spending your golden retirement together
is about as acceptable as it gets.
Moving together into an assisted
living residence has many advantages (as we shall see shortly). One
overshadowing advantage though is that it gives you the opportunity to enjoy a
relaxing and comfortable time together, something that it's almost certain you
didn't get to do in the years leading up to your retirement.
By staying together it also
eliminates the chance for loneliness. An assisted living residence counters one
of the major senior pitfalls; that of sitting home alone. This promotes a more
positive mental attitude which in turn has a positive impact on your mental
wellbeing. This is just the first of the health advantages of an assisted
living residence.
The health benefits for you as a
couple
Senior homes, be they independent
living facilities or assisted living residence, offer couples the chance to
stay together even if one, or both, suffers from an ailing health. With care
staff on duty to assist with the likes of medication and personal care, each of
you is able to live a fairly routine life. It also removes the need for one of
you to rely too heavily on the other.
Many senior homes offer onsite care
amenities or easy access to the likes of doctors, chemists, dentists and other
healthcare professionals. This means that a couple residing in an assisted
living residence can easily maintain their health (either together or
individually), something which becomes increasingly difficult as you grow
older.
Another advantage of an assisted
living residence is that meals are prepared for you. No longer will you need to
traipse to the store to pick out the ingredients for the evening meal. Menus
today are often nutritious as well as delicious, something you might not expect
from a care home. This all but guarantees that your dietary needs will be met,
whatever they are.
The social benefits for you as a
couple
Many senior homes offer an
independence that is akin to that of those living in their own home. For
couples this means that as well as enjoying a safer and healthier environment,
an assisted living residence also allows for an exciting and varied social
life.
Together you can visit the local
region or take trips with others staying at the assisted living residence
facility. You can visit the local shopping center or take a walk in a beautiful
green park. Alternatively you can share the privacy of your room to talk,
reminisce, play games or even host your family members.
While you may enter an assisted
living residence as a couple this does not mean you have to do everything
together. Many of your fellow residents will be happy with a spot of company
while you can also enjoy all of the above by yourself. For example, you can
take a solo, or escorted if you prefer, trip to the mall.
While deciding whether to move to a
care home, as well as which one, is a strenuous enough task for you and your
family, the knowledge that you as a couple can relocate to an assisted living
residence at least alleviates one of the strains that you will face along the
way.
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