There are many benefits of assisted living for couples. We know that the vow “Till death do us part” is one that many seniors take seriously. It can also keep them living at home even when one or both would be much safer and healthier in assisted living. When a couple needs care, the truth is that assisted living is perfect because it removes all the weight of homeownership and provides care in a community where thriving together — not just surviving together — is part of the plan.
4 Benefits of Assisted Living for Couples
Individualized care
The need for additional help can creep up on an elderly couple until it becomes a problem for them and their families. In assisted living, however, each senior will receive the exact care they need when they need it.
Before they move in, each new resident is assessed to determine the type and level of care required, and a plan is created. Care like help with dressing and bathing, managing medications, and mobility assistance are all available as needed. In many cases, spouses prefer to help as much as they can and may supplement care as well. As time goes on, the plan can be adjusted for more or less care so each resident is always cared for and at the top of their game.
In addition, assisted living residents no longer have to worry about housekeeping and difficult chores like changing bed linens, vacuuming, laundry, and washing windows because these chores are all handled by professionals. Of course, couples in assisted living also enjoy nutritious chef-inspired meals together with friends in the formal dining room. For a look at what couples can expect, check out the health.usnews.com article, “What Is Assisted Living? Everything You Need to Know.”
Social options
Yes, it’s wonderful to be able to spend retirement with your spouse or partner, but it’s a fact that having diverse social connections is essential to many aspects of good health. For example, the mayoclinic.com article, “A surprising key to healthy aging: Strong social connections,” notes that among the risks of social isolation are depression and anxiety, dementia, heart disease, stroke, and even increased risk of suicide and premature death.
Living at home can make socializing difficult, but in an assisted living community, social fun is built in. At Ganton’s Countryside, we make it a priority to banish boredom by providing full monthly calendars of activities that include everything from exercise classes to parties to games, movies, and special seasonal events and activities. We also offer a variety of faith-based and outdoor options, so there’s something for everyone every day. Couples can go together or alone and expand their circle of friends without ever having to leave home.
Combined memory care and assisted living
When one spouse suffers from dementia and the other doesn’t, it may seem like the only solution for staying together is to remain at home. In reality, however, there are choices to consider. At Countryside, our beautiful Brightside Assisted Living & Memory Care is a place where couples can remain together while the one with dementia receives specialized help with dignity. This state-of-the-art option is not only staffed by licensed and trained professionals but also provides the safety and security that is so hard to get at home. Learn more about our approach in our blog, “When One Partner Has a Dementia Diagnosis and the Other Doesn’t.”
Cost savings
Perhaps the most surprising aspect of assisted living is that it can be safer and healthier than living at home, and it can be less costly. At home, couples have several ongoing costs, like:
- Mortgage
- Insurance
- Utilities, cable, internet
- Lawn care and snow removal
- Entertainment
- Transportation
- Meals
- Maintenance and repair
In assisted living, however, there’s one monthly fee that covers most or all of these costs.
Then, there’s the cost of care needed for each spouse or partner at home versus assisted living. One way to get an idea of these costs is with the “2024 Genworth Cost of Care Survey,” which looks at costs nationally, as well as in each state. For example, in Michigan, the monthly median cost of a home health aide is $6,483 for 44 hours per week, while the same for assisted living is $6,040. If round-the-clock care is required, the in-home cost skyrockets to $24,753, while the cost of assisted living remains the same. Also notable is that when couples share an apartment in assisted living, they pay only a few additional fees, not twice the cost.
Stay together at Ganton’s Countryside and make the most of every day with each other. For more information about Countryside, please call Margaret Nagel at (517) 206-5000 or download our brochure to learn about our care levels, cost, and amenities.
