Reality check
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Anonymous
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I visited an assisted living facility today.
I had to find an apt through a maze of a long hallways - I saw several seniors walking around. Many alone in the hallways walking, some with walkers. I feel sad , sort of an indescribable feeling. I think cause of the plight of old age. |
Anonymous
| 😔 that’s our future |
Anonymous
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Yes, dh and I are looking after our elders but we are probably the last generation who would do that.
. |
Anonymous
| Maybe they were on their way to visit a friend or an activity. Sounds better then laying down watching TV. |
Anonymous
| It’s the clinical setting OP- depressing. |
Anonymous
That is your future only if you cannot afford better. We have save enough (generational wealth too) to afford in home care 24/7 in our old age. |
Anonymous
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I finally got a family doctor after decades of just visiting clinics. He asked me why I never have cancer screening. I told him because I don't want to live to old old age and will choose medical aid in dying rather than getting treated for cancer. He thought it was a reasonable decision.
Old age really is a massacre. |
Anonymous
| Don’t blame the facility. What’s making you sad is the decline of the mind, which is common in old age. We had a relative who used to wander her own home in a confused state and was eventually unable to prepare her own food or clean herself. Moving to an assisted living made her infinitely happier. |
Anonymous
In-home care means no socializing, no activities, no stimulation. Find a high-end assisted living instead. |
Anonymous
So much this. When you decide on in-home care, you are deciding that you only need human contact with people who are paid to look after your physical needs. My mom is in a CCRC where she has a lot of friends, some from before she moved there and some from after. She's now in the AL section, and while she has some sadness over the decline in her abilities, she also has people to chat with, scheduled activities, visits from her old friends in IL, etc. |
Anonymous
Can you explain more? How are you and your Dh providing 24/7 care to your "elders" (how many are there?) on your own? |
Anonymous
Always a jerk like you in every bunch. And fyi living at home can be extremely isolating. Many people with money prefer assisted living. |
Anonymous
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This doesn’t have to be how things end. Prioritize your health and activity levels, accept changes to your home that will help you age in place. Stay engaged with pursuits that exercise your brain. You can’t control everything but you can do a lot!
2% of seniors 65+ are in assisted living, the average age is 84 and 52% are over 85. 48% of residents have high blood pressure. 42% of residents experience Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia. 42% of residents have arthritis. 31% of residents have heart disease. 25-34% of residents have type 1 or type 2 diabetes. 64% need help with bathing 50% need assistance walking, whether from a care aide or mobility device 49% need help with dressing and grooming 43% need help using the restroom 22% require assistance eating, but can generally swallow independently 4-5% are in skilled nursing |
Anonymous
| Ever feel like someone has no experience but is eager to google for factoids? |
Anonymous
She said "looking after" that's not 24/7 care. |