Loneliness can contribute to declines in physical and mental health and even increase the risk for dementia

Making the decision to move a loved one to a senior living community can be an emotional and sometimes stressful process. It is important to identify concerns and take steps to ease them in order to make the best decision for a loved one, and ensure everyone involved in the process feels comfortable, informed, and prepared.

THE CONCERN: My senior loved one won’t have the independence to do what he or she wants.

THE REALITY: Harbor Place has an all-inclusive lifestyle which frees seniors from the hassles of cooking and home maintenance, enabling them to focus on activities and people they love. Living in our community environment with staff available round-the-clock provides security and peace while their needs could be met through outside resources such as home health, physician care and hospice care for the entire family.

THE CONCERN: My senior loved one will be lonely and bored.

THE REALITY: Seniors at Harbor Place are surrounded by people. Our residents live autonomously in their own apartment or cottage, but in a community setting surrounded by staff and other residents. This community environment has significant benefits, as studies have shown that living in isolation may have negative health consequences.

THE CONCERN: My senior loved one doesn’t have enough money saved.

THE REALITY: Senior living may actually be the more affordable choice. Although nearly 90 percent of people over the age of 65 want to live in their current homes for the rest of their lives, aging in place may actually be the more costly choice for many seniors. Hard costs like home maintenance can add up as a home ages. In fact, more than one third of baby boomers surveyed in the Holiday Retirement-commissioned survey cited a loved one’s inability to keep up with home maintenance as a factor that would make them at least somewhat likely to consider senior living. Intangible costs, such as the loss of personal connections as a senior loses his or her ability to drive or as social circles change, can also impact a senior’s wellbeing. For loved ones providing care to an aging senior, the costs can mount as well. Lost wages and limitations in career advancement from time spent caregiving, and caregiver burnout can take their toll.