Rachel had always been a fiercely independent woman. When she was married and raising her children, most of her friends and even neighbors would turn to her for help, and rarely would she ever feel the need to reach out to them for assistance of any kind. It wasn’t a matter of pride and ego, but the way she was raised. She was brought up to take care of herself, to rely on herself, and to be independent as much as possible. In a marriage, an independent attitude can be a frustrating point between partners, but it can also be a blessing in many ways. Yet, for somebody in her 80’s, as Rachel is now, that independent attitude is making it difficult for her to even consider assisted living for elderly care.
What could assisted living for elderly care offer that independent personality?
Assisted living is one of the best elderly care options for aging men and women who may have some type of difficulty with daily life. Rachel has been widowed for more than 12 years. She has managed to take care of herself all that time, living alone in the house she shared with her husband for more than 40 years.
She has been able to do that because of this independent attitude. She didn’t turn to neighbors or friends or even her adult children who still lived in the area for help, except on a few rare occasions.
Now, though, things have become much more difficult. Her body just does not want to react the way she expects it to. She doesn’t find strength in her legs every day. Some days it’s difficult just walking down the hall sometimes. Yes, she uses a cane to get around every once in a while, but not always.
Still, anytime she has trouble with something, needs to get to the store or a doctor’s appointment, she is reluctant to pick up the phone and call her adult children. It has become a little bit easier of late, but she has been met with conversations about different elderly care options, including assisted living, too.
Assisted living can offer someone like Rachel the opportunity to still live as independently as he or she wishes, but with the staff to support her anytime she might need help.
This actually becomes the perfect partnership to some degree.
Too many seniors view assisted living as a sign the end of their life has come. It’s as though everything they enjoy has to stop. In truth, when an aging person relies on a quality assisted living community, they can be as fiercely independent as they always had been in the past, but with help just a quick call away.
Rachel could pursue new activities, enjoy some entertainment styles she hadn’t checked out before, and still get out and about. Not everything is cut and dried or black and white. Many times, life is a series of shades of gray.
For somebody who is independent and has trouble asking for help, assisted living could very well be the best elderly care option available to them, and they never even realized it, like Rachel, until they research it.
If you or an aging loved-one is considering a move to an Assisted Living Facility for Elderly Care Services in Smyrna GA please contact the caring staff at Woodland Ridge today. 770-431-7055
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