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As the Baby Boomer generation ages into their retirement years, families are looking for safe and comfortable living options for their senior parents. Although most seniors would like to stay at home living independently for as long as possible, it’s not always the best option. Health and safety issues need to be a priority for many families.
Retirement homes of the past were essentially large institutional-style buildings that housed hundreds of residents in one environment. Although the care level may be high, extensive facilities’ living environment can be overwhelming for many seniors. The emergence of smaller senior family group homes has set a welcoming balance in families’ senior living choices.
Seniors now have the option of enjoying state of the art care in safe adult family homes where their environment is more intimate and welcoming. Let’s look at a few ways that adult family homes change the way seniors live their golden years.
Smaller Scale
Many seniors become isolated when living alone, and families may believe that moving into a retirement facility can provide more social activities. The reality is that many senior residents new to retirement facility living often are overwhelmed and spend most of their time in their team or apartments.
With adult family homes, seniors will live with six to nine roommates in a single-family home dwelling. With private bedrooms available for those that prefer time to themselves, seniors will live and share a home environment with a kitchen, living room, den, and yard. All adult homes have two or more full-time staff to assist residents that need help but remain a part of the family more than a member of a large and faceless medical staff.
Home Environment
Moving from a family home’s comfort and familiarity into a large and institution setting can be very intimidating for seniors. Adult family homes provide a smaller home environment that provides comfort and flexibility without the look and feel of a hospital-like facility. Residents can settle into a home similar to their own and enjoy all the same amenities they would in a larger single building residence. This level of intimate and comforting decor can help seniors transition into their retirement living.
Individual Attention
In a large retirement home, the staff, including nurses, often change several times during one day. This can make it difficult for new residents to make trusting connections. Staff members in more extensive facilities often face a busier schedule that doesn’t allow them to give each resident the one-on-one attention that they need.
Adult family homes have dedicated staff members on 12-hour shifts, so residents only need to become familiar with a handful of faces and names. This dedicated attention helps residents to form trusting bonds and give the staff a more intimate knowledge of each resident under their care.
Life Enjoyment
There is no need for the quality of a senior’s life to be diminished when moving to retirement home living. Adult family homes provide an intimate setting that feels like a real home and less like an institution. Residents can still enjoy various activities and their yards and gardens to spend as much time as they wish.
The senior population is growing, making it more important to find safe housing for family members. Adult family homes provide a unique option for seniors to enjoy their retirement years in comfort.
