Moving into older age is difficult. Along with health problems comes the issue of housing. Where will you live when it is time to seek assistance? For most people, assisted living complexes are a good resort. But for others, the idea is not as enticing. Many people do not want to be separated from their loved one. This is understandable. The following article excerpt demonstrates that even though it may be hard to make the transition, if you count on the help of loved, instead of fret about losing it, the result can be more than accommodating.

From Barchester:

Many people take pride in maintaining their independence in their later years, even if a reduced level of mobility can make this difficult.
Assisted living can be the ideal option for couples or older people living on their own who want to be able to maintain their freedom while also having the reassurance that there is always someone there to help if necessary. By choosing an assisted living apartment or bungalow, individuals can have their own home, knowing that routine services are taken care of. For a monthly charge, a person in assisted living can enjoy the main care home facilities, social activities programme, administrative, maintenance and interior design services, building insurance, an emergency call system and assisted shopping trips.

As more baby boomers find themselves in need of work, recent studies show that living longer — sometimes as long as 100 years old — will have an effect on the economy as a whole. This is a result not only of the need people have to earn more money even as they age, but also do to increased health and activity on the part of seniors.

The Boston Globe regularly covers aspects of assisted living, and aging’s influence on culture and economy.

From a recent article:

Statistics show that one in every 26 of today’s baby boomers will live to be 100. These older adults – and baby boom “youngsters” in their 60s through 90s – will require specialized goods and services tailored to the needs of aging Americans. In particular, community and residential care facilities for the elderly represent one of the nation’s fastest growing industries, with eldercare work expected to grow by 30 percent to 2014.

“Today’s seniors don’t want to just sit and fall asleep in a chair,” says Salamone. “Just because they’re up in years doesn’t mean they’re not still smart, accomplished people.”

The aging of America, together with extended life expectancy, is resulting in an unprecedented demand for all kinds of long-term care services. Among these services are assisted living residences. The philosophy of assisted living is to provide supervision, assistance and personal care services to senior citizens and individuals with disabilities as needed. The goal is to maintain maximum independence in a home-like setting, while providing individualized care and assistance. Assisted living offers a unique mix of security and independence, privacy and companionship, care and services.

Choosing the appropriate assisted living residence can make all the difference in an individual’s mental, physical, and social well being. Whether you need care for a loved one, or for yourself, Assisted Living Search will help you learn about assisted living, determine whether it is an appropriate living option for your particular needs and preferences, and help you make a wise selection.

Most times, when people discuss moving into an assisted living facility, their concerns are privacy, independence and comfort. But what if these things are taken care of, what if the biggest concern is how to continue to do the things you love, like, say, cooking?

New Hampshire Magazine put together an excellent article on how seniors can bring their culinary sensibilities with them, even after they move into assisted living.

From the article:

The decision to move into a continuing care retirement community or an assisted living program is complex. There is much to ponder. Am I ready to “give up my independence?” Can I afford this program? Would another location be better for my family? Will I like my new neighbors? Is the care in this community what I need?
Fortunately, there is one aspect of a residential program that one needn’t question. The food will be healthy and delicious. After visiting three residential programs, in three communities, I conclude that the only problem with the food is that residents are likely to gain weight. Willpower is needed.

The chefs who cook in senior communities like their work. They seem to thrive on the particular challenges of planning and cooking for their guests. “Serving the same people day after day is different from restaurant work,” says Keith Fornier, executive chef at RiverMead, located in Peterborough. “You can’t expect people to face the same menu every day.”

In San Francisco, assisted living facilities are for people needing assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) but wishing to live as independently as possible. Assisted living exists to bridge the gap between independent living and nursing homes. Residents in assisted living facilities are not able to live by themselves but do not require constant care. Assisted living facilities help with ADLs such as eating, bathing, dressing, housekeeping, and assistance with medications. Many facilities also have centers for medical care; however, the care offered may be not as intensive or available to residents as the care of a nursing home. Assisted living is not an alternative to a nursing home, but an intermediate level of long-term care appropriate for many seniors. See our many listing for your San Francisco assisted living search.

Nursing homes are designed to care for very frail people that are not able to care for themselves and have numerous health care requirements. Assisted living facilities are designed to assist elderly persons who are able to care for themselves except for a few activities. Assisted living facilities are often deemed necessary when the person in question needs help preparing meals, bathing, dressing, performing household chores, is sometimes confused, or is experiencing memory problems.

Assisted Living Complexes with affordable rates and improved accommodations are opening in Phoenix. Arizona’s climate attracts thousands of senors each year, and for some time there seemed to be a shortage of quality living situations. But now, as more and more people reach retirement age, developers and real estate professionals are focusing on new properties, with seniors in mind. The result is a recharged interest in Phoenix assisted living.

From the East Valley Tribune:

A gated, assisted-living community for seniors accustomed to upscale living is slowly emerging in far northeast Mesa.

The first phase of Crismon Peaks Assisted & Independent Living Community is open and includes one home that can house 10 residents in individual rooms. The 7.5-acre community is located on Crismon Road north of Brown Road and is being developed by Joe Rubanow, his sister, Meryl Schmitz, and brother-in-law, Matthew Schmitz.

The average stay for nursing-home residents is 28 months, and the average stay for assisted-living residents is 27 months.

But many of those people receive some other kind of long-term care before or after their stay. About 40 percent of residents in assisted-living facilities came from an acute-care hospital or a short-stay nursing facility, according to the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance. Also, about 33.5 percent of assisted-living-facility residents move to a nursing home after they leave the facility, and many nursing-home residents received care in their own home first. On average, a 65-year-old today will need some form of long-term care services for three years, according to the National Clearinghouse for Long-Term Care Information.

Because of these statistics, we usually recommend that people consider buying a long-term care policy that provides three years of coverage. You may want a longer benefit period if you have a family history of long-lasting conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease (about one-third of today’s 65-year-olds never need long-term care services, but 20 percent of today’s 65-year-olds are likely to need care for more than five years). The longer the benefit period, the higher the premiums — lifetime benefits can cost more than double the premiums for a three-year benefit period.

Assisted Living terms need to be considered seriously. For more information about Assisted Living options in your area, visit Assited Living Seach.

Moving into an assisted living residence is a complicated transition. This list provides some of the questions you should ask yourself, as well as the preparations necessary to make the transition successful.

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When you age, your body slows down. Everybody knows that, right? Well, despite the normal slowing of the body’s muscles, joints and energy, there are ways to remain active — a vital component of health — even if you are struggling with arthritis.

USA Today reported on how Baby Boomers are learning to work and play around their arthritis.

Remaining Active with Arthritis:

Experts say there is no need for Baby Boomers with arthritis to trade their Nikes for a rocking chair.

“People with arthritis might be living under the myth that they can’t be physically active, but now we know there is no doubt that, if you exercise, it keeps you more mobile as you age and builds muscle needed to support your joints,” says rheumatologist Patience White, chief public health officer of the Arthritis Foundation.

The article goes on to describe how Baby Boomers with arthritis can remain active.

•Incorporating stretching and strength training into workouts.

•Playing sports that don’t place a heavy burden on joints.

•Injections for temporary relief.

•Alternative therapies.

Moving into an assisted living residence doesn’t mean missing out on all that a city has to offer. On the contrary, many residences in many cities have programs designed to bring seniors into their community. This allows seniors to continue to enjoy all of the things they love to do. Whether it’s taking a walk through a favorite park on a sunny afternoon, or browsing the bookshelves at the local library, assisted living residences are committed to making life comfortable and satisfying.

For those living in Charleston, the experience is particularly rewarding. With access to local restaurants, shops, parks and entertainment, assisted living residences in this city enjoy natural beauty, temperate climate, interesting history and friendly people.