February is Wise Health Care Consumer Month and when discussing the future with somebody of advancing years, perhaps they are in their 70s, 80s, 90s, or beyond, assisted living may very well be a topic that comes up.

Many seniors don’t know a lot of the details about why assisted living is one of the best elder care options available. They lean on their misconceptions or remain fixed on fear and anxiety, especially about losing independence, as a reason to not even consider it.

In order to make wise health care decisions, a person needs to have the right, accurate information at their disposal. While many people may not consider assisted living a health care option, it most certainly can be.

Consider a person’s health moving forward.

Let’s say an 80-year-old elderly gentleman is widowed, living alone, and depends on a few family members or friends, possibly even neighbors, for help every so often.

He takes care of himself for the most part, is beginning to have difficulty getting to the grocery store, but now with delivery services and so much more available, that becomes a less significant issue.

Yet, he spends most of his time alone, perhaps tinkering around the house or the yard, and his family worries about him. His adult daughter stops by every day after work to check in on him, bring him groceries or something from the pharmacy, and to make a meal for him every once in a while.

Now, let’s say this individual is in relatively good health, but decides not to pursue any other elder care option, including assisted living. He wakes up in the middle of the night, perhaps arthritis or sore joints stinging pain through his body, but he has to use the bathroom.

He clutches the edge of the bed and simply doesn’t feel as secure on his legs. He wishes, in that moment, he had somebody he could call who could be there within a moment’s notice. Somebody who could help him make sure he will get to the bathroom safely.

In this situation, let’s say that he doesn’t make it and is injured. If he was at assisted living, making new friends, taking part in activities, enjoying good companionship and conversation every day, he would also have a staff member on call he could reach out to for help if he didn’t feel safe one specific night.

These minor things can be big deals for aging seniors.

It’s the little things we often overlook that can be instrumental in affecting our life moving forward. You may not think it at the time, but one little scenario like this one we painted here can change the course of a person’s life, especially if they are in their 70s, 80s, or 90s.

So, in order to make good, reasoned health care decisions, assisted living should be part of the conversation. And always remember, an elderly person is still a consumer and assisted living is a service so when they know all the facts and details about that service and why it is so beneficial, the easier it becomes for them to make a great choice.

If you or an aging loved-one is considering a move to Assisted Living in Fountain Hills, AZ please contact the caring staff at MD Senior Living today. 480-267-9200