Medford Leas is a vibrant
continuing care retirement community in Medford, New Jersey. Our community offers a wide range of home choices, amenities and programs to give you the ability to live the retirement lifestyle you have always dreamed of.
Some communities are only Assisted living – these communities and other supportive living environments are changing the lives of people over the age of 65. While supportive living has been around for decades, several myths about assisted living persist. Sadly, these misconceptions can prevent older adults from making the move to a supportive living environment. Fortunately, clearing up these misunderstandings can help people just like you make the most out of their senior years in supportive living environments.
Common Myths about Assisted Living
Assisted living is just another name for “nursing home”
Assisted living residences are quite different from nursing homes. You might need a nursing home if you are fully dependent on others for the activities of daily living within your home, such as feeding, bathing and dressing. Nursing homes are for those who need 24/7 care. Assisted living communities, by comparison, are for those who are semi-autonomous but just need a little help with a couple of activities of daily living or domestic chores.
Assisted living means the loss of independence
If you are like many other people considering a move to a supportive living environment, it is because you have lost some degree of independence. Perhaps you have a tough time getting in and out of the shower, for example, or need a little help getting dressed in the morning. You might even be getting behind in housework simply because there aren’t enough hours in the day anymore.
Making the move to supportive living environments can actually increase your independence by helping you perform the everyday activities that slowed you down in the past.
Everyone just plays bingo all of the time
While bingo is a popular pastime for people of all ages, today’s older adults are interested in a wide variety of activities.
After55.com surveyed more than 700 people between the ages of 50 and 89 to find out what residents are interested in doing after retirement. They found that 39 percent wanted to do exercise and yoga classes, 36 percent wanted to go walking and hiking, and 34 percent wanted to go swimming and do water aerobics. They also wanted to socialize, with 24 percent saying they are interested in meet-and-greets.
This type of community is not private
Assisted living offers the same type of apartment layouts as independent living, according to
SeniorAdvisor.com, so you can expect the same level of privacy in your assisted living residence as you enjoy now. In fact, the apartment-style layout of these supportive living environments may even afford you more privacy than where you live now, especially if you are living with adult children and grandchildren.
Assisted living communities are lonely
Supportive living environments used to be drab, but today’s
assisted living residences are spacious, attractive and cheery places to live. The atmosphere and professional care provided in an assisted living environment can even help ward off depression and other mental issues.
Depression is common among older adults. In fact, depression affects more than 6.5 million of the 35 million Americans aged 65 or older, according to the
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). While many older adults experience depression, it is not a normal part of aging. Fortunately, depression does respond to treatment.
People age quicker once they move to a supportive living environment
Moving to a supportive living environment can slow down the aging process by providing the help you need to stay healthy and safe. Without the assistance provided in assisted living, such as help with medications and proper nutrition, your health may decline rapidly.
Furthermore, people who live in supportive living environments enjoy an active social life and this can delay memory loss, according to
Harvard School of Public Health.
People regret moving to an assisted living residence
According to
A Place for Mom, Inc., “assisted living often trumps living alone” because supportive living environments now provide conveniences, services and opportunities for socialization that are just not possible when living by yourself. The benefits of living in an assisted living community include increased opportunities for physical activity and fitness, social engagement, a safe living environment, intellectual stimulation, chef-prepared meals that are delicious and nutritious, reduced stress associated with housekeeping duties and help with the activities of daily living.
Assisted living is more expensive
While it would seem that assisted living would be more expensive, assisted living may be
less expensive than living in one’s current location when you add up all of the expenses of living alone. If you need assistance with activities of daily living, such as getting out of bed or preparing meals, you would need to hire outside help. Add that to the cost of a housekeeper, a visiting nurse to help with medications and someone to look in on you, and assisted living may end up being less expensive.
There is nothing to do but sit around
Today’s supportive living environments provide plenty of opportunities to get up and move. Many even offer art exhibition galleries and art studios, biking and activity paths, canoe and kayaking launches, coffee shops, community centers, computer centers, dining rooms, exercise and fitness centers, game rooms, gift shops, hair salons, health centers and libraries. They may even feature private dining and entertainment spaces, tennis courts, theaters, thrift shops, woodland trails and wood or metal workshops.
You have to give up your car
Residents of today’s assisted living communities are highly mobile and many still drive. In fact, many supportive living environments are conveniently located just a short drive from area attractions, such as restaurants, shopping, parks, churches and theaters.
The homes are tiny
Many assisted living communities give individuals the option to choose from apartments, townhomes or patio homes. The townhomes, patio homes and garden-style apartments of today’s assisted living residences are spacious, attractive, comfortable and inviting. With a variety of residence options, you can ensure all of your wants to needs are met in your new home.
It is not like home
Since assisted living residences feature apartment-style living arrangements, it is your home. You can set it up any way you desire to create your own living space.
Nobody will be around to help
Assisted living communities provide just the right amount of help. You decide how much or how little assistance you need.
You have to give up your favorite hobbies
Nothing could be further from the truth! In fact, the assistance you receive in a supportive living environment actually frees up more time for hobbies. Assisted living can also help you stay fit, so you are healthy enough to engage in your favorite pastime.
It is lonely
While you always have the option to spend time alone in your own assisted living residence, you will find a world of social activities just waiting for you outside your door. Supportive living environments now offer a seemingly endless variety of things to do throughout the year. Since you are free to come and go as you please, you can also connect with others outside the assisted living campus.
The campuses are sterile and uninviting
Assisted living communities feature comfortable living spaces and locations near natural sites, so these supportive living environments are appealing to all the senses. You might find wildflower meadows, woodlands, streams with kayak and canoe launches along the paved and natural trails. The modern assisted living residences provide endless opportunities for relaxation and enjoyment of the natural world.
For more information about Medford Leas or to schedule a tour,
contact us today.
