The number of seniors in the U.S. is large and growing.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are over 56 million American adults ages 65 and older, which make up 16.9% of the population. By 2030, that number is projected to reach over 73.1 million, or 20% of the population. By 2050, it will be 85.7 million, or roughly 22% of the population.
As the large baby boomer and millennial generations head into their golden years, there will be an increased need for elder care. One option is assisted living.
In this article, we’ll go over what assisted living is and its advantages and disadvantages.
Let’s get started!
What Is Assisted Living?
Assisted living is a type of housing facility for seniors who can’t (or choose not to) live independently. It offers personalized care in a residential setting.
The level of care provided can vary, but it generally includes help with daily tasks like dressing, eating, bathing, and transportation. Think of it as a midway point between aging in place (in-home care) and a nursing home (which offers more medical care).
If you or a loved one are entering the stage of life when you need (or would like) help with daily activities, here are some of the pros and cons of choosing an assisted living center:
Pros of Assisted Living
Help with daily activities
One of the most obvious benefits of assisted living is that you get needed help with daily tasks. Whether you have trouble dressing, eating, bathing, getting around, or all of the above, there is a dedicated staff to help you.
By getting such assistance, you lower the risk of malnutrition and getting hurt (e.g., by slipping or falling). It may also be easier for you to accept help from paid staff members than it is to accept help from family. Accepting help from family may make you feel like more of an inconvenience or burden.
Healthy meals
At an assisted living facility, you don’t have to worry as much about maintaining a healthy diet. Here, you’ll get three nutritious meals served to you per day, plus snacks and plenty of water and drinks. It’s like a restaurant or cafeteria.
This eliminates the need to worry about grocery shopping, meal prepping, and cooking. Let the assisted living staff take care of it.
Opportunity to socialize
As you age, it’s important to socialize so that you don’t succumb to feelings of isolation and loneliness, which can hurt your mental health.
At an assisted living facility, there are many other residents with whom you can make friends and form lasting relationships, which is proven to help reduce boredom and depression and boost your overall happiness.
Here, you can talk, play games, and participate in other structured activities to help keep your mind sharp and active. It’s also a place where residents can feel a sense of community and belonging. And if you and your elderly spouse both need assisted living, you can stay together by entering the same facility.
Some independence
In an assisted living facility, residents can be as independent as they want to be. They have access to resources and assistance when they need it, but they are otherwise free to do what they want (within some limited rules).
This can be much more liberating than relying on family and friends whenever you need help. It gives you more sense of control.
Tailored care
Your needs will change over time. Even if you don’t need much help living now, you might eventually. Assisted living provides adaptable care, meaning it tailors the level of care to your current needs.
So if, for now, you only need help cooking and to get to places, that’s fine. Later, when you need more help (e.g., with dressing or bathing), you can get that, too.
Assisted living facilities make it easy to adapt to the level of care that you need. It also makes the transition to higher levels of care more smooth. After all, moving to a facility when you already have serious needs can be challenging and uncomfortable. So the sooner you do it, the easier.
Safe environment
When you’re elderly, it’s easier to become a victim of an accident or crime.
But assisted living facilities take the safety of their residents very seriously. They have staff on duty around the clock, and most also have gated entrances with 24/7 security guards. In addition, the facility will screen each applicant before accepting them to ensure they don’t pose a threat to other residents.
Here, you can rest easy knowing that you live in a safe environment.
Cons of Assisted Living
High cost
Unfortunately, assisted living can be expensive.
Though the average cost varies by state, the annual national median cost for assisted living facility services was $54,000 in 2021. This isn’t covered by most health insurance, so you must have long-term care insurance, qualify for government or private funding, rely on family members, or pay for it out of pocket.
Needless to say, this can be hard for many seniors and their families to afford.
Lack of privacy
Another downside of assisted living is the lack of privacy. You may have a private bedroom, but otherwise, you are sharing the living space with other residents and staff.
Plus, staff may come in and out of your bedroom throughout the day to check on you. Though this may be necessary for your health, it can be hard if you value your privacy. It may be overwhelming and make you wish you lived in your own home.
Limited medical care
Though assisted living facilities may provide basic medical care, it is very limited. It may not be enough to care for your needs.
For example, if you suffer from a chronic or progressive disease like Alzheimer’s or dementia, you will need more care than an assisted living facility can provide. Instead, you would be better off with a nursing home or a medical in-home caretaker coupled with a non-medical in-home caretaker (apply for FreedomCare to choose a family member as the latter).
Strict policies
In order to provide some structure, assisted living facilities may have strict policies when it comes to curfews, meal times, visiting hours, and other activities. Though these rules help the facility operate more smoothly, they may not sit well with you if you don’t like structure or authority.
The bottom line
At the end of the day, assisted living isn’t for everyone. But it could be for you. Carefully weigh the pros and cons and assess your options.
Some important things you should consider include the level of care needed, the cost, the reputation of the facility, and the amenities it offers. Take a tour of the facility to get a feel for it before you decide. You may also want to ask your doctor for their opinion.
Once you’ve done all that, you’re more prepared to make an informed decision.
