An assisted living facility is a centre for senior citizens that promotes wellbeing through a professionally designed and tailored caregiving program. It is not the same as a charity-based old age home, nor is it retirement community for the elderly. When you are looking to decide between day care, respite care and long-term care options for seniors, don’t let misconceptions about this senior care facility come in the way of a valuable caregiving option.

To set things straight, here are truths to 7 commonly believed myths about assisted living in India.

Assisted living is the new nursing home

An assisted living facility offers 24/7 personal care and access to healthcare, but does not provide residents with the round-the-clock medical care offered at nursing homes. At an assisted living facility, senior citizens get help with bathing, grooming, and other personal needs from trained non-medical staff. These caregivers also assist with medication management and monitor parameters like blood pressure and sugar levels, all in a home-like environment. The underlying difference between assisted living and nursing homes is the level of medical care, and thereby the living environment too.

The cost of an assisted living facility is too much

Assisted living can actually work out to be a reasonable and economical option when compared to a nursing home or at-home healthcare management. When compared to a nursing home, it is only a fraction of the cost since the latter offers round the clock medical care and monitoring, which is much more expensive. When compared to at-home healthcare, it is more economical when you consider the larger costs of maintaining and running a household in addition to the wages of an attendant, expensive home visits by multiple practitioners like doctors, nurses, therapists as well as the cost of maintaining a housekeeper, cook, car and driver.

Assisted living implies loss of independence

Assisted living facilities like Kshetra promise 24-hour care and support services that preserve the dignity, autonomy, and freedom of choice of its residents. Moreover, Kshetra actively works with the senior citizen’s family to make them feel comfortable and cared for. So, when it comes to this myth, picking the right assisted care provider is key.

Senior citizens are safer staying at home

Assisted living premises are built keeping the needs of senior citizens in mind. For instance, at Kshetra senior citizens can move around with ease thanks to the grab bars, anti-skid flooring, wheelchair-friendly doorways/ hallways and elevators. Installation of fire alarms and sprinkler systems are also precautions that assisted living facilities take. In addition, assisted living facilities have 24/7 access to doctors on call and may also provide care for deteriorating conditions like Alzheimer’s and dementia, which may be unmanageable at home.

Assisted living is the doorway to loneliness

Moving into an assisted living facility is actually about joining a community. The elderly enjoy the personal attention of caregivers and interact with other residents through games, exercises and community singing sessions, for instance. These group activities exemplify the joie de vivre one can find here. Conversely, a home environment can be isolating when there is no one around or there are no activities targeted for the senior citizen.

The meals at assisted living facilities are very basic and boring

The meals cooked at assisted living kitchens promote, first and foremost, good nutrition. For instance, Kshetra helps residents improve their wellbeing through balanced vegetarian meals and nutritious millet-based meals, accompanied by fruits and snacks. Meals like these are healthy and appetising, offering variety at each step and eliminate the need for seniors to cook for themselves. In addition to good food, the caregivers at these facilities also assist with feeding when required.

The elderly at assisted living facilities must give up the friends and hobbies

This is a popular myth, but has no basis in fact as assisted living facilities are visitor-friendly and have multiple residents who come together to form a community. Kshetra, which provides assisted living for senior citizens in Hyderabad, even allows overnight stays on request. Moreover, this facility even permit pets, provided that they aren’t a hindrance to other residents. In addition, residents are not only encouraged to pursue hobbies like reading, painting and more, but also get together with in-house residents and other visiting seniors via a monthly Senior’s Club.

Now that you know the truth behind these myths, you can choose the right assisted living facility for your loved ones. Kshetra adopts a holistic approach to senior citizen care, and its assisted living facility in Hyderabad enjoys ISO accreditation too. Its services include Alzheimer’s and dementia care with every effort made to ensure that its residents feel happy, comfortable, and cared for.