Aging adults with disabilities often deteriorate mentally or physically while in the hospital, even if they recover from their original illness or injury. Research shows that elder patients end up in a worse state than when they are brought in. These people are better off in a senior community in Woodstock, GA, where they can receive personalized care, as well as medical attention.
Moving to a retirement community can provide seniors with disabilities a more comfortable and supportive environment for speedy recovery. Similarly, aging adults receive access to the services and support they need to maintain their independence and well-being.
Why Retirement Communities are Better than Hospitals
There are several reasons why aging adults with disabilities may prefer moving to a retirement community than staying in a hospital. Some of these reasons may include:
- Quality of life
Retirement communities are designed to meet the needs of older adults and offer a range of amenities and activities to enhance their quality of life. In contrast, hospital stays can be stressful, and may not provide the same level of comfort and support. Besides, hospitals don’t offer the same in-depth amenities that exist in senior living.
- Independence
Senior living offers supportive services, which can help seniors with disabilities maintain their independence and continue to live independently for as long as possible.
- Socialization
Senior communities provide opportunities for seniors to interact with others and participate in social activities, which is important for maintaining mental and emotional well-being.
- Cost
One of the most important factors is cost of living. Senior living offers more affordable options for long-term care and support. It gives aging adults independence and affordability alongside Medicare, whereas hospitals generally bill patients higher for medical care.
Additionally, retirement communities provide a social and supportive environment, which is beneficial for residents’ mental and physical health. Hospital stays can be expensive, and many seniors may not have the financial resources to pay for extended stays.
- Prioritized Care
Senior living offers highly trained professionals to provide specialized care and support to aging adults with disabilities. The best part of this care is the priority with which it comes. Conversely, aging adults with disabilities are not given enough prioritized attention, and often face different challenges than younger patients in hospitals. This can include issues like interrupted sleep, unappetizing food, and days spent in bed.
While these may be minor inconveniences for younger patients, they can cause lasting damage to older patients. Contrarily, assisted living affords aging adults access to better care and a higher level of treatment customization.
- Long-Term Care and Support
Retirement communities have a variety of amenities and activities designed to meet the needs of aging adults, whatever they may be. They offer social and recreational opportunities, which helps to keep residents active and engaged. Due to this, residents experience a better quality of life than those in hospitals, and are more likely to receive the care they need.
Oppositely, hospitals cannot provide this kind of long-term care and support. Additionally, retirement communities typically have lower staff turnover rates than hospitals, which results in higher quality care.
