Assisted Living – Home-Based Care vs Retirement Village

When it comes to deciding between retirement village living and home-based care, elderly individuals have important choices to make. While both options have their merits, this article aims to shed light on why a retirement village may be the more favourable choice for older adults looking for a peaceful and vibrant community to call home. Let’s explore the benefits of retirement village living, which can greatly improve the quality of life for the elderly.

Independence and Freedom

One of the primary advantages of choosing a retirement village is the freedom it provides to its residents. Retirement villages are designed to cater to the unique needs and preferences of older adults, offering a range of living options such as independent living units, assisted living facilities, and skilled nursing care. This allows you to maintain your independence while still having access to necessary support and care, should the need arise. In contrast, home-based care often requires the presence of a caregiver, which can limit an elderly person’s privacy and independence.

Now, it’s important to note that even if you’re able to live independently of a caregiver at home, some things such as cooking and shopping for groceries can be impossible without the help of a relative or a domestic helper if your mobility is compromised. It’s not just about your independence and freedom, but also that of your loved ones. That’s easily solved by staying in a retirement village because your daily needs will be tended to and you can drive out to meet with family any time. It’s not a hospital where you’re confined and only allowed to leave when the doctor says so.

Socialization and Community

Loneliness and isolation can have a detrimental impact on the mental and physical well-being of the elderly population. Retirement villages provide a supportive and vibrant community where elderly residents can socialise and engage in various activities with their peers. These villages often offer a wide range of amenities and programs, such as fitness centres, libraries, clubs, and community events, promoting social interaction and a sense of belonging. By living in a retirement village, elderly individuals can build new friendships, combat loneliness, and lead an active lifestyle surrounded by like-minded individuals.

While you may be surrounded by family at home if your children live in the same house as well as your grandchildren – they’re not as experienced in life as you are. It’s the experience for many older people that as they age, their social circles will begin to shrink. One by one, friends start to age and pass on and it’s not easy to lose friends you’ve known for so much of life. Friends in the retirement village would be able to empathise with your experience, and bridge a certain understanding that your family just haven’t lived long enough to understand.

Therefore, it really is a lot easier to find community and socialise with people who would understand you in a retirement village. You deserve to feel understood and to continue having that

Safety and Security

Retirement villages take the safety and security of their residents seriously. They are typically equipped with modern security systems, including surveillance cameras, secure entrances, and on-site staff available 24/7. This level of security significantly reduces the risk of accidents, falls, or other safety concerns for elderly individuals compared to living alone at home. In case of emergency, retirement villages often have protocols in place to ensure a quick and efficient response, providing peace of mind to residents and their families.

Compared to living at home, you would rely on family being around or having a caregiver, domestic helper or neighbour around to check in on you once in a while if you have any medical conditions such as a stroke or Parkinson’s disease that can affect your mobility. It’s generally known that burglars target the elderly for breaking in to steal valuables and money as well, so it won’t be advisable to live alone in your old age.

There is no price on peace of mind, so on the aspect of safety and security, it’s definitely better to stay in a retirement village.

Access to Amenities and Services

Retirement villages are specifically designed to offer an all-encompassing lifestyle that caters to the needs of ageing individuals. They provide easy access to a wide range of amenities and services that can greatly enhance the quality of life for the elderly. These often include on-site healthcare facilities, fitness centres, beauty salons, restaurants, and transportation services. By living in a retirement village, elderly individuals can enjoy the convenience of having everything they need in one place, without the hassle of commuting or arranging for outside services.

Now, home has all the things you know and love about your daily routine. All the amenities you need are the things you’ve become used to and that certainly has sentimental value you can’t replace. However, services will rely on people coming to your house which would depend on their schedule. For example, you could engage physiotherapists, doctors, nurses, caregivers and domestic helpers to help you track your health and wellbeing, but you will not have access to state-of-the-art facilities that can enable better standards of care to be administered.

Plus, who wouldn’t like waking up knowing you have access to 5-star hotel facilities every single day? That’s not a privilege many can say they have and after a life of working – you deserve it.

Continuum of Care

Another significant advantage of retirement villages is the availability of a continuum of care. As individuals age, their needs for assistance and care may change. Retirement villages typically offer different levels of care, ranging from independent living to assisted living and skilled nursing care. This ensures that residents can age in place and receive the appropriate level of care as their requirements evolve. Choosing a retirement village with a continuum of care eliminates the need to relocate to a new facility when additional support is needed, providing a sense of stability and continuity for elderly individuals.

We’ve already covered the safety, social and standard of care in the earlier points – what is useful to take away from this part is that your needs will evolve as you continue to go through life. Just because you’ve been able to use the washroom unassisted in your 60s does not mean you won’t need the help in your 70s. You could add on home-based services and interview your care team yourself – but it’s an incredibly long and thorough process to vet and assemble a combination of services as your needs increase.

Circumstances can change, and a mistake many people make is to live their life going back and forth between their home and hospital wards. It’s unsettling to have to go to the hospital and it’s a stressful experience for you and your family sometimes spanning years and years until you move on. Instead, think of getting used to a retirement village as an early investment for complete peace of mind knowing you’ll be well taken care of.

Which is Best For You?

While home-based care can be a viable option for some elderly individuals, retirement villages offer a plethora of benefits that can greatly improve their quality of life. The combination of independence, community, safety, convenience, and access to services makes retirement village living an attractive choice for many older adults. By choosing a retirement village, elderly individuals can find a vibrant and supportive community that promotes active ageing and overall well-being.

It’s a marathon, not a race and the smoother sailing your journey is – the more you get to enjoy your senior years. Here at ReU Living, we have a highly-trained team of nurses, care managers, specialists (physiotherapy, dieticians, traditional Chinese medicine practitioners, occupational therapists, speech therapists), events & program teams, housekeeping, F&B (chef and service crew of a 5-star restaurant), maintenance as well as security & concierge services – all in one place.

Call or message +6010-380 0938 to book an appointment to view our space, and for us to better understand your care needs to see how we can elevate your retirement experience.

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