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…

Continue reading on HealthCentral about why no one choice is right for everyone: