Assisted Living is a Life Saver for Many Handicapped and Elderly People with Special Needs

Although someone who is in need of life assistance may not be elderly, most are either elderly or disabled. When speaking with elderly people, one of the biggest fears I have seen expressed is the necessity of entering a nursing home. Nursing homes, or convalescent homes, are not places anyone wants to live. These homes are the last stage in life for many people and neglect in nursing homes is rampant.

Assisted living allows an elderly person to refrain from entering a nursing home as soon as they would without this service. A person who is a candidate for life assistance cannot live by himself but does not require constant attention. My grandmother is 84 years old. Because of family, she is able to refrain from living in the nursing home as of now. Some elderly people do not have family able or willing to help. For these people, assisted living is a viable option.

Daily activities that life assistance can help with include bathing, laundry, dressing, medication assistance, housekeeping, and even eating. The companionship between those helping with life assistance and the elderly person may be of much psychological benefit. Too many people in need of life assistance are housebound, lonely, and depressed. The suicidal rate among the elderly is the highest of any group. We should do what we can to stop these people from ending their lives. Elderly people have much to offer us. One dearly loved member of our community is 103 years old, knows everyone, and is incredibly amazing. It would have been a shame for her family to place her in a nursing home when her limitations are minor. She lives at our local adult assistance center.

Assisted living has many names that mean the same thing---adult assistance facilities, residential care, adult homes, and more. How does a person who believes life assistance may be needed for her family member answer that question? Often someone who is in need of life assistance may need help in bathing, dressing, preparing meals, household chores, and help living life in spite of their confusion. My great-aunt moved to an assisted living facility four years after her Alzheimer's disease was diagnosed. Within four more years, she was a resident of our local nursing home and now does not recognize most family members.

The true tragedy behind growing older is losing one's sense of self. In 2002, my great-aunt was simply confused and benefiting from life assistance at that time. She was frightened and miserable. Because of her Alzheimer's disease being advanced, she now lives in the period of time when she was most happy-after her children were born. For those who do not have a condition such as Alzheimer's disease, a premature entry into the nursing home may delay progress rather than enhance it.

The people who enter convalescent homes are our mothers, fathers, grandmothers, grandfathers, aunts, and uncles. They cared enough about us to raise us in the beginnings of our lives. We should care enough to help them ease into the end of life transition. Elderly people do not always need to enter nursing homes immediately. There is no place like being home to enjoy one's life. We should use all help available to allow our loved ones to remain home as long as possible.

To determine whether your loved one would benefit from life assistance or needs to enter a nursing home, your best option is to visit a physician and ask the question. Have a list of behaviors you have seen your family member do and keep an open mind about what the physician tells you.