Why Families Hesitate to Consider Senior Living (And Why They Shouldn't)

Negative stereotypes about senior living abound, so it’s no wonder many families have reservations about their loved ones moving to senior living. Thankfully, those stereotypes are incorrect. Here’s why families hesitate to consider senior living (and why they shouldn’t). 

Families Fear Change

Perhaps one of the biggest (and most natural!) reasons families hesitate to consider senior living is simply fear of change. This is particularly true if the seniors in question have always been the center of family gatherings, with their home serving as the hub. It’s difficult for families to imagine the seniors they love living anywhere else. And it may be painful to think of losing their childhood home. 

However, change isn’t always bad. Often, a move to senior living greatly improves quality of life. And that’s especially true for seniors who live alone, have mobility challenges, or for whom home maintenance and tasks like cooking have become difficult. In such cases, moving to senior living frequently helps seniors hold onto their independence longer and live happier, more social lives. 

Families Worry About Abuse

Often, family members worry that their senior loved ones will be abused if they move to senior living. However, while elder abuse is a serious and pervasive problem throughout Canada, it’s a myth that seniors are only abused in senior living. In fact, the perpetrators of elder abuse are most often caregivers, including family members. So remaining at home is sadly not a guarantee your senior loved one will never be abused.

Indeed, many protective benefits come along with moving to senior living, particularly for independent living communities, like Normandy Living. Because seniors are surrounded by their peers and able to form close friendships, there’s always someone looking out for them who could report any suspicion of elder abuse. Staff are also available to help keep senior loved ones safe, and the premises are monitored to further improve safety. 

Families Are Concerned About Loneliness

It’s a common misconception that senior living communities are lonely places. Often, when people hear the term “senior living,” they imagine miserable nursing homes, where their loved ones sit isolated in a room, visited only once or twice a day by callous nurses. Thankfully, the reality is far from that dismal image. Indeed, at Normandy Living, we strive to foster social connections among our residents. 

In fact, residents of senior living communities are often less lonely than those who remain in their homes. That’s because seniors often have limitations that prevent them from socializing as much as they’d like. Whether seniors are no longer able to drive, have mobility challenges, or live far from family and friends, they all too often spend most of their time in isolation. 

Moving to senior living, on the other hand, makes it easier for seniors to socialize with their peers and participate in the recreational activities they love. And because they no longer need to worry about things like home maintenance and meal preparation, seniors are also able to devote more time to the activities they enjoy.  

Moving to senior living is a major decision, and it’s natural to have some concerns. However, many seniors and their families are happy to discover that moving to senior living is a positive experience. 
If you are hesitant to consider senior living, we encourage you to book a tour so you can experience Normandy Living for yourself. And as always, we are happy to address any questions and concerns you may have. We look forward to hearing from you soon!