Through no fault of ours, we have begrudgingly arrived at the intersection of independent living and assisted living. The road ahead is unclear and the highway ahead seems too invasive and though options exist to the right and left, it is clear that the wonderful road traveled thus far is in need of repair. Where independent living meets assisted living, there is no turning back.

Unfortunately, this intersection is one seniors dread. But, are senior concerns unjustified or misguided?  Sometimes the answer lies in the senior’s perception of what assisted living really is. In a landscape where change has dramatically modified assisted living from 10, 20 or 30 years ago, many of us do not fully understand the flexible reality that assisted living facilities offer seniors and their caregivers.

Indeed, making an informed decision about changing senior  environments requires dedicated exploration of Assisted Living Facilities (ALF’s) and their offerings. Of course, affordability is a major concern but this should never be the only factor in such an important decision. ALF’s have many advantages from every perspective, including the senior’s physical, emotional and psychological profile.

Misconceptions about Assisted Living Facilities

The first thing seniors from the Baby Boomer generation must understand about Assisted Living Facilities is that today’s facilities are not the assisted living facilities of the past. 21^st century ALF’s are far from the 20^th century “nursing homes.”

In reality, 21^st century assisted living facilities place high priority on such important senior concerns as independence, safety and privacy as  well as on excellent clinical care and acute medical care. The only way to know what ATFs offer is to do your homework. And, the sooner you perform your ALF due diligence, the better your eventual solution is likely to be.

5 Questions That Point to Assisted Living

If it were up to will power alone, we would live independently forever. However, honestly answering these five questions may give seniors and their caregivers more insight about the future.

1.  Can the senior(s) manage their own personal care on a daily basis? For how long?
2. Can the senior prepare healthy meals and eat on a regular basis?
3. Does the senior drive safely? Is there another alternative to driving?
4. Do the seniors walk safely around their home and surrounding area?
5. Do the seniors remember crucial daily tasks like turning on the television, flushing the toilet, turning off burners or using the phone and/or responding to phone calls?

Today’s ALFs are nothing like the past. In fact many are in amazing destinations where luxury, carefree living is possible. Yet, caregivers must be careful not to enroll too early or too late. The distance between independent living and assisted living is a delicate line. The transition is likely to be resisted. Remember these are Baby Boomers that shaped the modern world.

Start senior care planning today by researching early in order to smoothly transition to the tight Assisted Living Facility solution tomorrow. For help choosing the right facility, check out our Trusted Partners!  Each Trusted Partner offers the Life Care Funding program as a way to help families pay for senior care.  Good luck!