Assisted Living Myths

As anyone with aging loved ones knows, no two seniors’ needs are identical. That said, retirement living can be helpful to older adults with a range of varying health and physical requirements. Do you know how your friend or relative might benefit from a senior community? There are some assisted living myths and misconceptions floating about that may prevent you from considering the option.Here are two common myths about retirement living:

1. Senior living is expensive

The cost of assisted living is a major concern for many families, especially those for whom finances are already an issue. Daily rates for elder care tend to vary depending on a senior’s needs and preferences. Before you stress about this figure, however, look into federal assistance. Multiple news sources have reported that many older adults qualify for government subsidies, either through Medicaid or a specific organization, such as the Veteran’s Administration. Because these requirements and perks vary by state, however, it’s important to begin investigating ahead of time so that you and your loved one have at least an estimated final cost before you begin looking at retirement options.

2. Assisted living and retirement living are the same thing


When people begin their search for housing options for an aging friend or family member, they often make the mistake of thinking that all senior homes serve the same purpose. However, this is far from the truth. Just as each older person has specific needs, there are varying communities to serve people in every stage of life.  While retirement living communities are typically more hands-off, like apartment complexes for seniors only, continuing care retirement communities (CCRC) offer a more expansive range of personalized care options for people with physical and mental disabilities, or those who simply need more help in their daily lives.