7 Big Fears About Senior Living
If you are moving, or you are moving your aging parent into senior living, it can be a frightening thought.
However, you shouldn't worry.
Senior living is not a place to go when no one is there to care for you. Quite the contrary, it is a place you go when you want to have the best possible, most professional care, and spend your precious time doing things you enjoy.
Most of the fears you have are quite inaccurate, to be honest.
There continues to be an ever growing number of state-of-the-art senior housing. You can choose from assisted living if you need day-to-day help, you have independent living if you are elderly, but an active adult.
More and more of these options provide tailored-lifestyle. Where each individual interests and needs are carefully crafted, especially focusing on care that helps maintain and regain mental, physical and social health.
You or your loved one considering moving into senior housing, should not have fear. You should celebrate that you will have the care you need and deserve, so that you can stop worrying and start living again.
Here are 7 common fears about senior living:
1. I'll Be Bored."
At Belize Riverview Nursing Home, we will design special programs to keep you as busy as you would like. From river expeditions to horse back riding, we will be sure to make sure that you have an active lifestyle.
2. "I'll drain all my finances."
Senior living in the United States averages $50,000US per year and climbing. That is around $4,100US per month...per person. At Belize Riverview Nursing Home, we start as low as $3,000US per month, single or double occupancy. That is only $1,500US per month per person. Also, in Belize, your US currency doubles and goes further. Your loved one will also have free stay at our Banana Bank Lodge when they come to visit you (details will be discussed on incorporated into contract).
3. "I'm afraid I won't receive the best care for me."
Victrie Carr RN, American/Belizean, is a United States trained Intensive Care Unit (ICU) nurse. She grew up in Belize and is currently the nurse at the facility. Has years of experience in geriatric care.
John Carr, American/Belizean has lived in Belize for almost 40 years. He has served on the board of the Octavia Waight Center and also the Belmopan Helpage Chapter. He and his wife, Carolyn, and the Jaeger family also own Banana Bank Lodge.
Our Belize Nursing Facility is currently only catering to 6 guests, and we have done this so that we can provide the best possible care there is.
4. "I will get old and sick faster."
People do not get sick by becoming older. They get sick by being alone. Human beings are not meant to be alone. It causes anxiety and depression. With the personal care and active lifestyle we will provide, will be key for better health and quality of life. If our guest is already ill with Alzheimer's disease, for example, we will carefully craft a program for daily stimulation, fun activities and personalized care, all of which, studies have shown, help to slow down the progress of this illness, and may even improve health and behavior.
5. "I will lose my independence."
Some seniors, at the thought of moving into a senior home, mentally prepare themselves to be lonely, sad and depressed. They feel like they are being tucked away, out of site and out of mind. Not so. At our nursing home in Belize, it will be quite the opposite. With our vast Belize estate, that is filled with tropical wonders, we will carefully craft your program, so that you are out and about as much as possible. We want you to move away from onerous chores, and start enjoying precious time doing things that stimulate the mind, body and soul.
6. "I won't be able to control my daily activities or life."
Once the decision is made to move to Belize in our nursing home, a personalized program will have already been in the process of being created. It will fit and will be adjusted accordingly. We will focus in incorporating long-held (healthy) habits of your daily life. We will make sure that the transition is as smooth as possible, and that familiarity is incorporated into your personalized program.
7. "People will forget about me."
This is a natural worry. As we stated above, you may feel like you are being discarded and tucked away. Our senior facility is equipped with all modern amenities. We will have a computer where you can talk to your loved ones via the internet. Your loved ones will have free stay at our Banana Bank Lodge, which should have them in Belize quite often. This may very well increase the relationship between everyone. And of course, our staff will be there everyday, so that you do not lose social contact.
What do you fear about senior living? What do your family members fear about senior living? Please, let us know your thoughts and comments. We are always learning.
