Aging in Place or Assisted Living: It’s About Choices
it’s not hard to understand why 60-year-olds would say that they want to remain in their home for life rather than move to assisted living or a nursing home. These are generally people who are relatively healthy and feel that they can hire help for whatever they need down the road.
Indeed, aging in place sounds like a wonderful concept. What could possibly be wrong with it? The Washington Post interviewed Stephen M. Golant, a University of Florida professor of gerontology, about the trend. Golant views the current. He feels that people should have choices and that aging in place is just one of them. Golant said in the interview that aging in place may prevent older adults from seeking “healthier, more holistic alternatives.”
A tale of two elders: Years ago, I became the primary caregiver for an elderly neighbor, Joe, who was 100 percent deaf and was losing his eyesight. Joe’s only son lived across the country. Joe was one of those people who would not have thrived in assisted living so I’m grateful I was there for him. But I often wonder what would have happened to him if I hadn’t been.
The neighborhood had changed during the half-century Joe had lived there…
Minding Our Elders: Caregivers Share Their Personal Stories. “For anyone having to walk the last segments of life with a loved one, read this. There are so many different people discussed that you will find hope in reading about each one and probably find pieces of your own story and struggle in many. This book is for all of us; let it help you cope! Thank you to the author and everyone she spoke with!” …Dolores
