Nursing homes are available to elderly and retired seniors who can’t live on their own anymore and they don’t have any family members who can provide them with care.
Although nursing homes are common and very necessary, nobody likes it when they have to face the decision of whether or not they should move themselves (or their parent) into a nursing home where they will be met with a new environment and new faces, away from their home and loved ones.
If this has been the reason why you’ve been delaying your move or that of your parents to a nursing home, you should know that there’s a new evolution in senior housing that you may find to be a suitable alternative, i.e. senior co-housing.
Let’s learn all about it!
Senior Co-Housing: What Exactly Is It?
Senior co-housing communities are designed to make sure that every member has the privacy they need and their own spaces. Every member has an apartment or a house but also has access to shared spaces.
The seniors living in the co-housing community have their own space while they also live near friends and share moments in areas like cinemas, dining areas, libraries, fitness centers, gardens, etc.
Senior co-housing spaces are great for those looking for a comfier option than senior housing. There’s a real community that people can become a part of and enjoy a higher quality of life.
Unfortunately, some nursing homes can increase depressive emotions in people, especially if we take into account that senior co-housing spaces are the final destinations for a lot of seniors before they pass away.
Many negative emotions are associated with nursing homes that increase the risk of poor life quality like isolation, loneliness, fear, sadness, etc. On the other hand, co-housing areas can help reduce the risk of these negative and unpleasant emotions.
Senior Co-Housing vs. Traditional Nursing Homes
Both types of nursing homes have their pros and cons. And, it’s essential to take into account all of the positives and negatives before you decide to use one or the other.
Every senior is a story for themselves and has their own needs and requirements. This is why there are a lot of factors that should be taken into account before a decision is made.
Let’s compare the two.
- Community
Both nursing homes and senior co-housing options provide a strong community and organize events to ensure residents can enjoy optimal quality of life.
Both of these nursing options offer social opportunities. In the case of senior co-housing, seniors can easily get together with their friends because a lot of these people may already be familiar faces.
On the other hand, they will need some time to adjust to the new people in a nursing home where they will probably not know most of the residents.
- Privacy
Though both of these nursing options provide a private area, the co-housing for seniors option is a bit more private.
The residents aren’t in such proximity to each other. They can have their apartment or a house whereas in nursing homes, they usually have a room for themselves or share the room with another resident.
- Care & cost
As nursing homes are full-time facilities where there’s a need for highly trained staff and a lot of other care aspects, they can get quite expensive.
Senior co-housing may be less expensive since many of the residents inside it share resources and sometimes even expenses.
With this in mind, nursing homes are more expensive, but they offer experienced and attentive caretakers. Both nursing homes and senior co-housing options are safer than seniors living on their own.
A good nursing home may be a better option for some seniors than a co-housing area where there aren’t usually any skilled or trained staff that care for the residents.
Senior co-housing is a great opportunity for seniors who do not need attentive care from experienced caregivers but would benefit from being surrounded by other seniors.
If a senior chooses a co-housing option, they can keep some control over their schedule, their friendships, and their activities. If you or your parent need professional care and medical care, a traditional nursing home may be a more suitable option to look into.
Sources:
