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. The people he'd known had moved on or died. He wouldn't allow in-home health workers into his home, nor would he accept food from Meals On Wheels. When it came to care, it was me or no one. Likely, had I not insisted on the personal alarm that I placed around his neck daily, Joe would have died alone after one of the...
Source: Minding Our Elders - Category: Geriatrics Authors: Source Type: blogs