As adults age, their healthcare needs tend to increase as their bodies become more frail. Bones can grow weaker, immune systems may struggle to fight off diseases, and aches and pains become a regular part of life. At some point, many adults have to decide whether to age in place or move to an assisted living facility, such as a nursing home.
When you approach this decision, it is essential to be fully informed on the pros and cons of each choice. In some cases, your medical needs will decide for you. However, many adults have an option that depends entirely on their personality. Let’s look at the pros and cons of moving into a nursing home versus aging in place.
Nursing Homes
Nursing homes are skilled nursing facilities that are designed to provide high-quality care to residents 24/7. When you live in a nursing home, you have consistent access to care services in a safe environment. Let’s examine the pros and cons of living in this type of facility as an older adult.
Pros
The most obvious benefit of living in a nursing home is the convenient access to the services you need. Nurses are on call at all times to respond to your needs. They can also provide daily living assistance and comprehensive care plans to improve your overall health. Nurses who receive continuing education are well-equipped to understand your needs and provide for them while you stay in a comfortable environment. Nursing homes also offer social and recreational activities, which can help combat loneliness.
Cons
As an industry, the nursing home system often falls short of professional standards. Understaffing, improper procedures, and poor training can create a dangerous environment where abuse and neglect thrive. Although a mistreated resident could work with nursing home abuse lawyers to pursue compensation for abuse or neglect, it may be better to avoid the issue altogether by not moving to a nursing home. Additionally, a nursing facility may not feel like home, which can affect the resident’s mental health.
Aging in Place
If your healthcare needs are manageable, aging in place may be a viable option as you age. This means you choose to stay in your home, and you can either have medical professionals come to you or you go to them. What are the advantages and disadvantages of aging in place?
Pros
Many adults age far more gracefully in the comfort of their homes. Instead of moving to a new place with new faces, you can stay in familiar surroundings, which could significantly benefit your mental and emotional health. Another positive is that it is easier for family and friends to visit you in your home than in a nursing facility, which has many rules in place for visitations. Advancing technologies have made personalized home care more realistic for many adults, with tools like telehealth appointments, mobile equipment, and remote monitoring systems making up for the lack of consistent care services.
Cons
The primary risk of aging in place is that you may not have access to medical professionals. If an emergency occurs, it could take time for first responders to get to you. Another downside is that you may need to invest in serious renovations to your home so it can accommodate your changing medical needs. Wider doorways, an elevator, and bathroom upgrades may be necessary to make the house as safe as possible. In a nursing home, these features would already exist. Although insurance may cover some of your home care services, it is less straightforward than living in a nursing facility.
Which Option Suits Your Needs and Desires
The first thing to assess when making this decision is your expected healthcare needs. Are you going to be entirely reliant on help from nurses and medical equipment? A nursing home is probably the right move. However, if you are still capable of caring for yourself with some assistance from doctor’s visits or basic medical equipment, then aging in place could work well for you.
If both options are still available based on your needs, consider your personality next. Do you prefer to be on your own in a private setting? In that case, a nursing home may not be the right fit. Are you hoping to be around other people your age who are going through similar challenges? Aging in place may not provide the socialization you are hoping for.
Focus on Research to Make Your Decision Easier
The more informed you are, the easier it is to choose the right path for your lifestyle. Although nursing homes can have issues with abuse and neglect, many facilities provide high-quality care for all their residents. On the other hand, aging in place can have its advantages and disadvantages as well. Committing to researching your options, looking into local nursing homes, and knowing what home upgrades will make aging in place possible will help you make this important decision.
