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“As far as I’m concerned, it’s a life I never thought I would experience -- happy and complete,” says 89-year-old Genevieve Peters, who has lived at an assisted living facility called Sterling House in Palm Coast, Florida, for two years. She lost her home during a hurricane in 2004, and with all her family gone, Peters wanted to live as independently as possible, with just the right amount of help to maintain her lifestyle. “I didn’t know what assisted living was,” she explains. “I always had my own home and didn’t know how I would accept it or how I would be accepted.”
Many seniors feel that way, but the mindset is shifting. “We’re out there encouraging assisted living as a community-based alternative or option for seniors who can live independently but need some assistance,” adds Paul Williams, a spokesperson for the Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA). ALFA is the largest trade association representing assisted living in the United States. Williams says that more and more seniors are opting for assisted living because the environment is more home-like unlike the decidedly institutional settings of the past. “There have been a lot of innovations and functions that assisted living facilities have acquired over the last few years,” he says. “There are a tremendous amount of options out there.”
Peters, for instance, lives in what is called a studio. She didn’t want a lot of room or furniture. “To me, it’s very cozy; it’s comfortable, cheerful, and the service I get is absolutely fantastic,” she beams. “It’s my home.”
“One of the big benefits I see is the socialization function,” Williams says. “You may have seniors who were not engaged, watching TV all day, [not interacting] with other people. They go to assisted living, start participating in activities, and are around other seniors.”
Though Peters enjoys the activities offered at Sterling House (among its current offerings: exercise classes, movies, scenic bus trips, and shopping excursions), she says she still remains independent and picks and chooses how she spends her time. Says Peters, "as far as my experience is concerned, it's fantastic.” |
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