Saturday, July 14, 2012

ASSISTED LIVING IN OUR OLD AGE - WHAT IS IT LIKE?

Straits Times 14 July

This article appeared in The Straits Times today. It is well worth a read. As ST allows online access only to subscribers, I am posting the link to the Washington Post which published the article on 10 July.

The article is written by Martin Bayne. Stricken by Parkinson's, he had to move into an assisted living home when he was 53. He writes about what it is like to spend his days among people so much older than he is, and to see them dying off one by one.

The article has received more than 500 comments. Do read some of them.

"People my age — I’m now 62 — might go to an assisted living facility every now and then to visit an older family member. But few people in my age group actually live in an assisted living facility. I do.
Illustration from the Washington Post
Eight years ago, in a wheelchair and after nearly a decade of living at home with young-onset Parkinson’s disease, I decided to move into an assisted living facility. I knew what my decision meant. I’d be moving into a place where the average resident was 32 years older than I was, and the average levels of disability, depression, dementia and death were dramatically higher than in the general population.
What I hadn’t calculated was what it’s like to watch a friend — someone you’ve eaten breakfast with every morning for several years — waste away and die. And just as you’re recovering from that friend’s death, another friend begins to waste away. I can say with certainty that the prospect of watching dozens (at my young age, perhaps hundreds) of my friends and neighbors in assisted living die is a sadness beyond words."
(To read the full article, click on the title below.)
A man depicts the often grim atmosphere in assisted living facilities 

7 comments:

Dementia Care San Francisco said...

Hello,

Nice post! Assisted living is the sense of community it can introduce into an individual's life. It provides social activities, including games, outings, time outdoors and movie screenings. It also aided in an assisted-living resident's general happiness. Thanks for sharing it.

Assisted Living San Francisco said...

Hi all,

This is a very good site to know about. The content of your site is very informative. Assistance may include the administration or supervision of medication, or personal-care services. People who live in newer assisted-living facilities usually have their own private apartment. Thanks.

Assisted Living Fremont said...

Hi guys,

Very good site you have created. It is a proper level of care, and right equipment can help seniors live comfortably for their remaining years. Assisted living residence offer many benefits for your family member’s physical and emotional health. This can help your family member make new friends and begin participating in fun activities. Thanks.

Assisted Living Facility Westerville said...

Well its always a tough decision, but sometimes you have to take such decisions..

Unknown said...

Assisted living is no once choice but sometimes you can do nothing especially in case of assisted living for mentally ill.

Unknown said...

An Assisted Living Community is a good option for seniors who need more help with day to day activities than medical care.Choosing the right place with dedicated staff which meets the needs of the elderly is important.

Lisa said...

It is true that we feel sad and gloomy when death and sufferings of a known person is seen in our surroundings.This can also be experienced in an Assisted Living Community. Seniors can overcome these negetive thoughts by diverting their mind to positive things like mingling with other residents and participating in social activities which keep them happy and relaxed.