Three Alternatives to the Nursing Home
We deserve better, don’t we?
Within a few months, since the Covid-19 pandemic began, nursing homes have accounted for 1 in every 10 deaths in the United States. It is not just the residents alone who are falling ill to the virus but nursing facility staff members as well.
Covid-19 has been very lethal to the older population and has been spreading like wildfire in close quarters of many facilities. A Wall Street Journal puts the death rate at 43% of the entire Covid-19 reported deaths in the country. The situation is so dire that in some nursing homes in New York City, a refrigerator was converted into a temporary morgue, while another nursing home in New Jersey stored bodies in a shed as a small morgue couldn’t take more.
This devastation despite the lockdown in nursing homes across the country exposes underlying issues that have existed long before Covid-19 struck, such as understaffing problems, neglect of residents, and poor infection management and control. Now, the Covid-19 pandemic has made it necessary to consider safer and healthier housing alternatives for senior citizens.
So: what are the alternatives?
Here are the alternatives to nursing homes that are growing in popularity…
Granny Flats
Granny Flats are a great alternative to protect the most vulnerable loved ones. It is frustrating already that aged care providers seem to endlessly rotate staff, and care instructions are not well followed by the different nurses or carers, it’s worse in these times.
Granny flats allow people keep their elderly loved ones close by so they receive close and personal supervision that’s familiar and understands their unique requirements. Granny flats provide a closeness for families to look out for fragile relatives, with the peace of mind knowing that they are safe, comfortable, and happy having those they love around them.
Moreover, not only are aged care options going to become even more expensive, the overcrowding problem which have been a bane to the age care industry for years is not suitable at a time it is mandatory to observe social distancing. And this overcrowding problem is only going to become worse as the aging population in the country continues to rise.
Multigenerational Living
Over the past decade, multigenerational living has seen sustained growth with more than 41% of Americans who buy a home, considering housing an elderly parent. With the Covid-19 pandemic, the cost of assisted living for seniors is on the increase. Having multiple generations under one roof is not only good for their health, but is more economical. A major AARP 2018 survey reported that four in five Americans at and above the age of 50 prefer to age at home.
When buying, renovating, or building a home that will suit aging in place, it is important that design principles make it easy for elders of the multigenerational home to stay in for as long as possible. However, essential precautions are necessary within the walls of a multigenerational home to protect elderly members of the family.
Co-living
Co-living or living with roommates may not seem popular among the elderly camp, but it is!
And demand for this kind of living is rising. Co-living enables homeowners to give out a room in exchange for rent or to help with tasks around the home. As an alternative to living in an assisted living facility, Co-living is great for retired seniors who want to live with someone else for companionship or don’t want to live alone, especially with the lockdown situation.
Conclusion
For now, the nursing home industry is battering devastating financial and human losses from Covid-19 and residents are in a mad scramble for alternatives. Round-the-clock care in assisted living facilities is increasingly difficult as public funding has been falling over the last few years. With an increasing geriatric population, it only makes sense that there is a concomitant increase in diversity of facilities as well. The options listed here should ease the challenge of finding the right care support for your loved ones.
