Did you know that in 2022, nearly
16 million people over the age of 50 were living alone? Geriatric experts have coined the terms “elder orphans” and “solo agers” to describe these folks. But while many of these senior citizens can manage their daily activities just fine for now, as the great Irish philosophers, U2, put it in a song title, “Sometimes You Just Can’t Make It On Your Own.” Eventually, we all need help – and for seniors without family support, planning ahead to get the help they need as time passes is crucial.
Luckily, there is an option for many seniors without family to age with the care and dignity they deserve: assisted living. The right assisted living facility can allow these seniors to enjoy their golden years in a warm, supportive environment with easy access to all the care they need. Furthermore, while getting into an assisted living facility without family support isn’t always easy, it doesn’t have to be hard. We’ve written this blog post to show readers how to do just that, covering everything from how to designate health and financial proxies to evaluating the services of any given facility. Keep reading to learn more!
Prepare Needed Documents & Pick a Proxy
While most adults know what a last will and testament is, a
2024 survey by Caring.com
showed that only 32% of American adults have one. Getting all this in order before you’re potentially unable to make difficult decisions really pays off. In addition to a last will and testament, you should also consider filing a health care proxy and do not resuscitate order.
Establish a Network of Support
More than
65.5 million Americans ages 65 and older are currently suffering from depression. Too much time spent alone can lead to isolation, which in turn can lead to depression. Establishing a network of people whose company you enjoy and can rely on is extremely important not only for mental health, but also to allow you to maintain independent living for longer. If you are religious, joining a religious organization – such as a church, mosque, or synagogue – is a quick way to make new friends and establish a support network. Other ways include discovering hobbies, getting to know your neighbors, or joining a support group.
Take Good Care of Your Assets
You will need adequate funds to live in an assisted living facility, and you’ll also need to think about appointing someone you trust to act as your proxy should you no longer be able to make financial decisions for yourself. Acting now can help to prevent problems later. Start thinking about who you’d like to designate as your financial proxy. You can also place your assets in a trust. You can name yourself as trustee for now, but start considering who you would want to designate as trustee in case you become incapacitated. You can also add someone to your bank account who has the power to sign checks, or you can start a joint account with that person. If you’re having trouble paying your bills consistently, it may be wise to set up automatic payments. If you need help with any or all of this, consider hiring a CPA or financial planner.
Location, Location, Location
Once you start looking into
assisted living facilities in earnest, remember that the location of the facility that you choose is extremely important. While most people want to live in a facility close to family members, elder orphans may not have that option. That’s why it’s vital to find an assisted living facility where you can feel comfortable and be yourself. Also keep cost in mind, as you will need to save money to live in an assisted living facility. There are several government sources available to help with that, but you must meet specific criteria to be eligible.
Make Sure the Facility Offers What You Need
While it may be obvious, ensure the assisted living facilities you’re considering have the level of care and services you require. For example, most assisted living facilities offer great opportunities and daily activities for people to make new friends. Some may also offer laundry, housekeeping, and meal preparation services. Finally, some even offer transportation to doctor’s offices and other appointments. If you’re in need of specific services, make sure the assisted living facility can accommodate them all.
Talk to an Expert
If all of this sounds very overwhelming, don’t panic. There is help available. Providing quality care for senior citizens has been the aim of Heathwood Assisted Living since its inception in 1978. Now, we’re in our third generation of family leadership. During the admissions process, our staff will evaluate your needs and determine the proper level of care for you. Once you’ve been admitted, we will reassess your needs on a regular basis, and our Enhanced Assisted Living program allows you to customize your level of support, so you can stay living right here at Heathwood amongst your new family and friends. We have locations in
Penfield, NY and
Williamsville, NY. Contact us today if you’d like to get started with a tour of either one!
