Are People Who Live in Assisted Living Homes Happier Than Those Who Don"t?
While working in the assisted living industry I often come across the question from people as to whether or not people who live in assisted living homes are happier than those who don't.
Obviously this is a difficult question to answer because a person's happiness is usually not only determined by location but also state of mind.
There are however some things that can tell us whether a person is happier in an assisted living home or if they are happier living in their own home.
We first however have to distinguish between the two different types of people that will be included in our study.
First off there is the type one person who is generally healthy but aging and having difficulty getting around.
This is the person who is independent but also very careful around their house.
These people have family members who live with them or check up on them often if not daily and are well taken care of.
These people will often still drive themselves where they need to go, shop for themselves, clean their own homes and do their own laundry.
They are generally self-sustaining and self-reliant individuals.
The second type of person is much like the first but they differ in a few areas.
They are able to get around their house by themselves but will usually need some sort of help doing so either by wheelchair or other prosthetic means.
They would like to shop for themselves and go out and about in their car but they don't feel comfortable driving anymore and have a hard time being on their feet for longer periods of time.
These individuals still want the feeling of independence but have a difficult time taking care of some of their basic necessities throughout the day.
The first person will probably be unhappy living in an assisted living home.
They can generally take care of themselves and they still have the pride of ownership in their own home and place that they have probably taken years to build up.
They would like to assistance occasionally but nothing that a family member can't help them with.
The second person on the other hand would probably be very happy in an assisted living home.
They would have their own quarters and would only need help when it was asked for.
They would have much less stress because they would have access to help any time they needed.
Obviously this is a difficult question to answer because a person's happiness is usually not only determined by location but also state of mind.
There are however some things that can tell us whether a person is happier in an assisted living home or if they are happier living in their own home.
We first however have to distinguish between the two different types of people that will be included in our study.
First off there is the type one person who is generally healthy but aging and having difficulty getting around.
This is the person who is independent but also very careful around their house.
These people have family members who live with them or check up on them often if not daily and are well taken care of.
These people will often still drive themselves where they need to go, shop for themselves, clean their own homes and do their own laundry.
They are generally self-sustaining and self-reliant individuals.
The second type of person is much like the first but they differ in a few areas.
They are able to get around their house by themselves but will usually need some sort of help doing so either by wheelchair or other prosthetic means.
They would like to shop for themselves and go out and about in their car but they don't feel comfortable driving anymore and have a hard time being on their feet for longer periods of time.
These individuals still want the feeling of independence but have a difficult time taking care of some of their basic necessities throughout the day.
The first person will probably be unhappy living in an assisted living home.
They can generally take care of themselves and they still have the pride of ownership in their own home and place that they have probably taken years to build up.
They would like to assistance occasionally but nothing that a family member can't help them with.
The second person on the other hand would probably be very happy in an assisted living home.
They would have their own quarters and would only need help when it was asked for.
They would have much less stress because they would have access to help any time they needed.
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