There are many reasons why seniors move as they get older. Some move to a new home that is remodeled or built with the senior in mind. Others choose to move away from their community into a senior living community to gain access to amenities and socialization and support from staff. It’s important to understand what matters most to seniors.
When the general question is posed to a resident in a senior living community, why did you move to a care facility? The common answers you may hear is:
Peace of mind is provided by having staff conducting safety checks and nearby when needed. Facilities will prepare 3 meals per day guaranteeing healthy and nourishing food. Most residents have transportation services available eliminating the need to coordinate rides. Maintenance-free living and many resident facilities have a scenic campus with enjoyable outdoor spaces. Socialization and activities programs facilitate making new friends in the senior community.
However, these are just amenities and benefits that some assisted living facilities to offer. The real reason for moving to a care facility is often negative. If an individual is unable to care for themselves and help is not available then a facility may be the only option. However, with preparation, it does not have to be this way.
Family members and care facility staff like to focus all the conversation on their beautiful buildings, delightful staff, and socially engaging community. As a result, the benefits of aging in place are overlooked. Successfully aging in place means living at home longer and avoiding these negative from happening as you grow older.
Top 5 Reasons Why Seniors Actually Move to Senior Living Facilities
These are the actual top 5 reasons why seniors move to senior living facilities instead of continuing to age in place.
1. Falling
A fall is the most dramatic reason why seniors move into new living arrangements. If a bad fall occurs a senior may leave their house in a ambulance and never return due to landing up at a skilled nursing facility and then transitioning to an assisted living facility.
Preventing a fall is very important for older adults and seniors. According to a CDC study on falls and fall-related injuries 27.5% of adults over the age of 65 have had one fall in the last year. Every year three million of these falls result in hospitalization. One out of every fall causes an injury such as a broken bone or head injury. Women fall more often than men. As a result, they account for three-quarters of all hip fractures. There are several ways to address fall prevention from home design to physical aids to technology. Avoiding a big fall is critically important for older adults that want to age in place and avoid moving to a senior living facility.
2. Difficulty Managing Chronic Health Conditions
Learning how to live with and manage chronic conditions is difficult for many people. Unfortunately, in America, 85% of older adults have at least one chronic health condition and 60% have at least two, per the CDC. Chronic conditions impact how the body ages in countless ways. Some chronic conditions are just the cards we are dealt and others result in choices that are made every day. The ability to reduce the chances of being in the majority of people dealing with multiple chronic conditions is set early in life with the choices made regarding health, wellness, and nutrition. However, this does not mean there are not methods, resources, and tools to utilize to make living with a chronic condition more manageable and less of a burden on the individual, their family, and caregivers.
3. Home Not Designed for Aging Adults
A home that is well designed or remodeled for an aging adult lays the groundwork for successfully getting over the aging canyon and living your best life. Installing the basics such as grab bars in the restrooms and other locations with steps can go a long way to preventing a fall. However, there are many more amenities, to consider and doing a complete house review for aging in place is a great place to start.
4. Isolation / Depression
The lack of interaction with family members, neighbors, and others can be very isolating. As a result, depression can set in, especially during a time of medical crisis. While very few seniors experience depression the numbers rise to 13.5% of seniors that require home healthcare and 11.5% of seniors while hospitalized. These life-upending changes often trigger a conversation about living environments and moving into a residential community for elderly adults. Sometimes family members will use these moments of depression to encourage moving to a senior living facility due to community aspects to address the depression.
5. Change in Caregiving Needs
A major influence on why seniors move into a care facility is a drastic change in daily caregiving needs. Assisted living facilities and nursing homes serve a wonderful purpose at the right time. Paying for 24/7 in-home caregiving services is expensive and finding an alternative with a community can make financial sense. Relying on family caregivers or part-time in-home caregivers is an excellent strategy for prolonging aging in place. It is wise to utilize available tools to help manage a loved one’s needs since it can be difficult to keep all of the documents and schedules coordinated properly.