When it comes to looking into a retirement home or an assisted living residence one of the common misconceptions is that these are solely for widowers and those people living alone. While this may be the case in certain senior homes, there are certainly examples of those that allow couples to relocate together.
One facility may require a couple to stay in separate private bedrooms while another assisted living residence may be quite happy for a couple to stay together as they have for the earlier years of their lives. This is something to consider before you decide on which facility is best suited to you.
Couples relocating to an assisted living residence
Simply put, no assisted living residence should have a problem with you and your husband or wife relocating together. Those that do are sadly missing out on one of life's rare little gems; that of companionship. Whether you've spent all of your married life together or just the past few years, spending your golden retirement together is about as acceptable as it gets.
Moving together into an assisted living residence has many advantages (as we shall see shortly). One overshadowing advantage though is that it gives you the opportunity to enjoy a relaxing and comfortable time together, something that it's almost certain you didn't get to do in the years leading up to your retirement.
By staying together it also eliminates the chance for loneliness. An assisted living residence counters one of the major senior pitfalls; that of sitting home alone. This promotes a more positive mental attitude which in turn has a positive impact on your mental wellbeing. This is just the first of the health advantages of an assisted living residence.
The health benefits for you as a couple
Senior homes, be they independent living facilities or assisted living residence, offer couples the chance to stay together even if one, or both, suffers from an ailing health. With care staff on duty to assist with the likes of medication and personal care, each of you is able to live a fairly routine life. It also removes the need for one of you to rely too heavily on the other.
Many senior homes offer onsite care amenities or easy access to the likes of doctors, chemists, dentists and other healthcare professionals. This means that a couple residing in an assisted living residence can easily maintain their health (either together or individually), something which becomes increasingly difficult as you grow older.
Another advantage of an assisted living residence is that meals are prepared for you. No longer will you need to traipse to the store to pick out the ingredients for the evening meal. Menus today are often nutritious as well as delicious, something you might not expect from a care home. This all but guarantees that your dietary needs will be met, whatever they are.
The social benefits for you as a couple
Many senior homes offer an independence that is akin to that of those living in their own home. For couples this means that as well as enjoying a safer and healthier environment, an assisted living residence also allows for an exciting and varied social life.
Together you can visit the local region or take trips with others staying at the assisted living residence facility. You can visit the local shopping center or take a walk in a beautiful green park. Alternatively you can share the privacy of your room to talk, reminisce, play games or even host your family members.
While you may enter an assisted living residence as a couple this does not mean you have to do everything together. Many of your fellow residents will be happy with a spot of company while you can also enjoy all of the above by yourself. For example, you can take a solo, or escorted if you prefer, trip to the mall.
While deciding whether to move to a care home, as well as which one, is a strenuous enough task for you and your family, the knowledge that you as a couple can relocate to an assisted living residence at least alleviates one of the strains that you will face along the way.
One facility may require a couple to stay in separate private bedrooms while another assisted living residence may be quite happy for a couple to stay together as they have for the earlier years of their lives. This is something to consider before you decide on which facility is best suited to you.
Couples relocating to an assisted living residence
Simply put, no assisted living residence should have a problem with you and your husband or wife relocating together. Those that do are sadly missing out on one of life's rare little gems; that of companionship. Whether you've spent all of your married life together or just the past few years, spending your golden retirement together is about as acceptable as it gets.
Moving together into an assisted living residence has many advantages (as we shall see shortly). One overshadowing advantage though is that it gives you the opportunity to enjoy a relaxing and comfortable time together, something that it's almost certain you didn't get to do in the years leading up to your retirement.
By staying together it also eliminates the chance for loneliness. An assisted living residence counters one of the major senior pitfalls; that of sitting home alone. This promotes a more positive mental attitude which in turn has a positive impact on your mental wellbeing. This is just the first of the health advantages of an assisted living residence.
The health benefits for you as a couple
Senior homes, be they independent living facilities or assisted living residence, offer couples the chance to stay together even if one, or both, suffers from an ailing health. With care staff on duty to assist with the likes of medication and personal care, each of you is able to live a fairly routine life. It also removes the need for one of you to rely too heavily on the other.
Many senior homes offer onsite care amenities or easy access to the likes of doctors, chemists, dentists and other healthcare professionals. This means that a couple residing in an assisted living residence can easily maintain their health (either together or individually), something which becomes increasingly difficult as you grow older.
Another advantage of an assisted living residence is that meals are prepared for you. No longer will you need to traipse to the store to pick out the ingredients for the evening meal. Menus today are often nutritious as well as delicious, something you might not expect from a care home. This all but guarantees that your dietary needs will be met, whatever they are.
The social benefits for you as a couple
Many senior homes offer an independence that is akin to that of those living in their own home. For couples this means that as well as enjoying a safer and healthier environment, an assisted living residence also allows for an exciting and varied social life.
Together you can visit the local region or take trips with others staying at the assisted living residence facility. You can visit the local shopping center or take a walk in a beautiful green park. Alternatively you can share the privacy of your room to talk, reminisce, play games or even host your family members.
While you may enter an assisted living residence as a couple this does not mean you have to do everything together. Many of your fellow residents will be happy with a spot of company while you can also enjoy all of the above by yourself. For example, you can take a solo, or escorted if you prefer, trip to the mall.
While deciding whether to move to a care home, as well as which one, is a strenuous enough task for you and your family, the knowledge that you as a couple can relocate to an assisted living residence at least alleviates one of the strains that you will face along the way.