Assisted Living Facilities: 5 Reasons To Consider a Roommate
Privacy, or the ability to seclude ourselves behind literal, or figurative, closed doors away from the world to do as we wish, should be one of those inalienable American rights, right? Absolutely.
However, when it comes to the "more mature" among us, seniors in particular, too much privacy can be too much of a good thing.
Most assisted living facilities offer private and shared, or semi-private, accommodations.
When asked if they prefer a private or shared room, most seniors or their loved ones respond that they prefer a private room and only acquiesce to being willing to share a space with another senior if their budget will not stretch to cover the cost of a private apartment.
While we all enjoy our privacy, seniors and their family members should stop to consider some of the benefits of sharing an apartment with another senior.
If you are considering assisted living facilities as a senior living option, please consider these 5 reasons why you might consider having a roommate: 1.
Significant Cost Savings - The most obvious of the benefit of sharing a room is sharing the cost of accommodations.
The cost savings, approximately 30-40% on average, add up significantly over many months.
This is especially helpful if you anticipate other medical or care related expenses coming up in the future.
It can also afford you the ability to live in a more desirable community than you would be able to afford paying for a private room.
2.
Ease Transition into Community - Having a roommate promotes more frequent socialization.
At assisted living facilities, the onus is on you to get out and build new relationships, usually by participating in community sponsored activities.
Having a roommate can jump start that effort by providing the first person who you can get to know in a meaningful way.
If your roommate is already well integrated into the community setting, they can give you the lay of the land, helping you to better navigate within the community's unique culture.
3.
Combat Loneliness - Unless you are a monk, too much solitude is not necessarily a good thing.
It is easy for loneliness to set for a senior who does not take advantage of the numerous activities offered by most assisted living facilities.
While not encouraged by most senior living communities, many seniors will stay in the rooms most of the day sleeping or watching television.
Over time, this lack of socialization can sometimes contribute to loneliness and worse, depression.
The daily presence of a roommate, or even a pet, can dramatically reduce the feeling of isolation and/or loneliness.
4.
Additional Monitoring - If your senior parent or loved one is considering a move to an assisted living facility you might appreciate the additional monitoring that a roommate often provides.
Because they see each other every day, roommates can be the first to notice changes that occur in the health or ability of a senior.
Are they sleeping more? Do they seem more confused? Are they missing meals? Although not an official role at assisted living facilities, roommates can let the staff, and you, know if they have made any relevant observations regarding the well-being of their roommate.
There is great value in noticing a pattern early that might otherwise go undetected for a longer period of time.
5.
Longer Life Expectancy - A variety of social studies confirm that social relationships not only enhance one's quality of life, but actually extend our life expectancy.
Having a source of consistent companionship in the form of a roommate can increase mental and emotional stimulation and therefore contribute to overall health and longevity.
More frequent conversation and stimulating thought can mean several additional years of life expectancy.
To realize the full benefits of a roommate it is important that the facility match you with a compatible person.
Compatibility factors include having similar cleanliness, home entertainment and sleeping habits as well as overall temperament.
Assisted living facilities will try to take these, and other, factors into account when matching roommates.
We are social creatures and, even if you have the resources to afford your own space, sharing an apartment can come with quite a number of benefits.
Assisted living facilities are great for many seniors who are still largely independent yet require, or anticipate requiring, assistance with one of more activities of daily living because of the additional benefits of socialization with their peers.
However, when it comes to the "more mature" among us, seniors in particular, too much privacy can be too much of a good thing.
Most assisted living facilities offer private and shared, or semi-private, accommodations.
When asked if they prefer a private or shared room, most seniors or their loved ones respond that they prefer a private room and only acquiesce to being willing to share a space with another senior if their budget will not stretch to cover the cost of a private apartment.
While we all enjoy our privacy, seniors and their family members should stop to consider some of the benefits of sharing an apartment with another senior.
If you are considering assisted living facilities as a senior living option, please consider these 5 reasons why you might consider having a roommate: 1.
Significant Cost Savings - The most obvious of the benefit of sharing a room is sharing the cost of accommodations.
The cost savings, approximately 30-40% on average, add up significantly over many months.
This is especially helpful if you anticipate other medical or care related expenses coming up in the future.
It can also afford you the ability to live in a more desirable community than you would be able to afford paying for a private room.
2.
Ease Transition into Community - Having a roommate promotes more frequent socialization.
At assisted living facilities, the onus is on you to get out and build new relationships, usually by participating in community sponsored activities.
Having a roommate can jump start that effort by providing the first person who you can get to know in a meaningful way.
If your roommate is already well integrated into the community setting, they can give you the lay of the land, helping you to better navigate within the community's unique culture.
3.
Combat Loneliness - Unless you are a monk, too much solitude is not necessarily a good thing.
It is easy for loneliness to set for a senior who does not take advantage of the numerous activities offered by most assisted living facilities.
While not encouraged by most senior living communities, many seniors will stay in the rooms most of the day sleeping or watching television.
Over time, this lack of socialization can sometimes contribute to loneliness and worse, depression.
The daily presence of a roommate, or even a pet, can dramatically reduce the feeling of isolation and/or loneliness.
4.
Additional Monitoring - If your senior parent or loved one is considering a move to an assisted living facility you might appreciate the additional monitoring that a roommate often provides.
Because they see each other every day, roommates can be the first to notice changes that occur in the health or ability of a senior.
Are they sleeping more? Do they seem more confused? Are they missing meals? Although not an official role at assisted living facilities, roommates can let the staff, and you, know if they have made any relevant observations regarding the well-being of their roommate.
There is great value in noticing a pattern early that might otherwise go undetected for a longer period of time.
5.
Longer Life Expectancy - A variety of social studies confirm that social relationships not only enhance one's quality of life, but actually extend our life expectancy.
Having a source of consistent companionship in the form of a roommate can increase mental and emotional stimulation and therefore contribute to overall health and longevity.
More frequent conversation and stimulating thought can mean several additional years of life expectancy.
To realize the full benefits of a roommate it is important that the facility match you with a compatible person.
Compatibility factors include having similar cleanliness, home entertainment and sleeping habits as well as overall temperament.
Assisted living facilities will try to take these, and other, factors into account when matching roommates.
We are social creatures and, even if you have the resources to afford your own space, sharing an apartment can come with quite a number of benefits.
Assisted living facilities are great for many seniors who are still largely independent yet require, or anticipate requiring, assistance with one of more activities of daily living because of the additional benefits of socialization with their peers.
