Even when seniors are active and enjoy independent living, there may come a time when they would appreciate receiving some level of assistance so that they are able to continue this lifestyle. Individuals that reside in assisted living communities that have an onsite nursing facility, are able to receive assistance with a variety of daily living activities. Nearly 40% of residents within these communities are receiving some type of assistance or specialized care.
A survey recently showed that 55% of the participants were afraid that the need for long-term care will be a burden on their families. In fact, these individuals indicated that this was their greatest fear. An assisted living community, or nursing facility can be a viable option if this situation does arise.
At some point after they turn 65, predictions indicate that nearly 70% of Americans will need long-term care. Given the prevalence of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, having access to supervised care is beneficial.
Currently, data shows that there are over 5 million people living with Alzheimer’s in the United States alone. Over 80% of all dementia diagnoses, however, are for Alzheimer’s disease. While most people with Alzheimer’s are over 65, there are roughly 200,000 Americans under this age that are experiencing early-onset Alzheimer’s.
Memory care nursing homes, for example, typically have memory care units or entire floors. When residents live in these units, they will usually receive 24-hour supervised care. Residents will also receive specialized memory care services to assist them with their daily lives. It’s important to note that due to special care unit disclosure laws, these types of facilities are more regulated in 23 out of 50 states.
In some cases, Americans experiencing a form of dementia, including Alzheimer’s, may continue to live at home and receive care from family members or friends. Recent data shows that there are over 15 million unpaid caregivers providing assistance to these individuals. Furthermore, in 2016, these unpaid caregivers provided approximately 18.2 billion hours of care. The monetary value of this care was estimated to be $230 million.
It’s important to remember that friends and family are able to visit their loved ones at a nursing facility or an assisted living facility. Residents are also able to maintain an active lifestyle as their health condition allows. As a result of having access to a variety of social activities and events, residents tend to create new friendships and develop new hobbies. This empowers seniors to remain active while aging.
