The Arbor Company Senior Living Blog

If you’ve been putting off a decision about senior living, now's the time to revisit the choice

Is senior living a safe option right now? This is a question you might have asked yourself recently amid concerns about Covid-19. 

For decades, most older adults have said they wanted to age in place, remaining in their homes for as long as possible. One AARP survey found that about 90 percent of seniors hope to stay at home as they age. According to a new study published in The Gerontologist, that trend may be changing. Researchers found a roughly equal preference for assisted living and for various aging in place options. This may be due in part to changing perceptions of senior living.

Seniors are just as diverse as any other demographic group, with different goals, different passions, and different concerns about the future. Yet as a society, we’ve long talked about seniors as if they’re all the same. This ageist notion rightly triggers a number of fears in seniors. They worry about being put away, about being abandoned, about being treated like an “old person.” And when it comes to senior living decisions, many seniors operate from a place of fear rather than one of hope.

Growing older can be scary. After all, it’s something new and unfamiliar. Old age is also shrouded in secrecy, myth, and a hefty dose of stereotypes about older people. The reality of getting older stands in stark contrast to many myths. Seniors are living happier, healthier, longer lives than ever before. Consequently, many hope to age in place, remaining in their beloved homes for the rest of their lives. When this becomes difficult or impossible, seniors may fear being locked away and forgotten about in a “home.”

Many seniors say they want to remain in their homes as they grow old. But life is full of surprises. Sometimes the perfect retirement plan looks much different than you anticipated. Many seniors find that aging in place is difficult, isolating, and even dangerous. As you age, it can be challenging to explore new activities and hobbies, stay in touch with friends, and keep up with the seemingly endless demands of home maintenance.

For 30 years, The Arbor Company has served seniors and the people who love them. Our communities across the nation offer expert care, compassionate support, and a commitment to constant improvement. We’ve formed a lifetime’s worth of special memories over the past three decades. Our experience has taught us that the expertise that comes with this experience matters. No matter where your search for a senior community ends, it’s critical to ensure that you choose a community that boasts plenty of experience. Here’s why.

Your loved one has made the decision to move into an assisted living community. More likely than not, you were actively involved in that decision-making process, and both of you are looking forward to having the additional assistance that will give you peace of mind for your loved one’s safety and socialization. However, even with all the excitement of moving into a new space, it is common for your loved one to experience some worries upon transition.

Are you or a loved one looking to move into senior living? In our recent Senior Living LIVE broadcast, we talk with Tammy DeCaro, the executive director of Barrington Terrace of Naples, about expert tips when moving to senior living. Watch below or read through our transcript.