How We Keep Mixed-Needs Care Couples Together

We all age differently. As couples age, it’s common for one spouse to eventually need more support than the other, requiring a transition to an assisted living, memory care or skilled nursing community. While many couples may want to stay in their family home, there are several benefits to moving to a Life Plan Community like Freedom Pointe at the Villages because we offer higher levels of on-site care, which allows couples with different needs to age together.
Benefits of Mixed-Needs Couples Aging Together
Here are some of the benefits of aging together as a couple:
- Physical health. Couples tend to care for each other in a variety of ways. When separated, physical health can deteriorate due to depression and changes in sleeping and eating habits.
- Cognitive health. For some couples, long-term separation can lead to feelings of anxiety and loneliness. If unaddressed, long-term loneliness can have a negative effect on cognitive health while increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke. For those with dementia, separation from a spouse can lead to increased agitation and confusion.
- Cost. Couples who age together are also at a financial advantage. For many aging couples, one spouse will act as the caregiver for the other, especially in cases of dementia and other memory-loss conditions. This can pose a financial benefit compared to having one spouse at a care community and the other living at home.
- Support. Couples who work to take care of one another as they deal with the emotional and physical challenges of aging often feel more supported than couples who age separately.
- Connection. Research suggests that the human touch can alleviate depressive symptoms, reduce pain and stress hormones and improve immune functions. While maintaining physical touch is possible even for couples who age separately, it’s easier for couples who are aging together.
Why Couples Should Consider a Life Plan Community
With all the lifestyle options available, why choose a Life Plan Community? Senior living for couples provides key elements needed later in life, including medical care, social activity and support with basic daily tasks, also known as activities of daily living. Life Plan Communities provide social opportunities, support good health and wellness practices and have been shown to provide happier lives. Here are all the reasons why Life Plan Communities are a good idea for couples with different needs:
- Available care: Imagine if one spouse suddenly needs medical assistance or they start to have noticeable cognitive decline – what would you do? Life Plan Communities are designed to seamlessly help with these medical emergencies.
- Higher levels of on-site care: At Freedom Pointe, in addition to our independent living, we offer a full continuum of on-site care including assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing and rehabilitation. This allows one spouse to receive assisted living or memory care support while the other, more active spouse, is able to continue with the independent living level of care.
- Peace of mind: Let us handle all the indoor and outdoor maintenance and housekeeping. You don’t even have to cook if you don’t want to. We also offer a monthly calendar of activities along with a variety of helpful services and thoughtful amenities. Plus, if ever needed, higher levels of care are available.
Lifestyle Benefits of a Life Plan Community
Once the decision is made to move, you and your spouse will have time to enjoy all the extra benefits of living in the community and surrounding area.
- Dining: At a Life Plan Community, there are a variety of dining options featuring a range of menu items prepared by talented culinary teams.
- Programming: Most communities have their activity calendars booked weekly with live entertainment, movies, quiz games or coffee and conversations. Whatever your interest, you will have plenty to choose from.
- Wellness: Many Life Plan Communities have fitness centers and pools along with exercise classes and group activities to help keep you moving and engaged with fellow residents.
- Financial protection: At Freedom Point, our Life Care contact provides a big financial advantage. Even if one spouse is in independent living and another needs a higher level of care, like assisted living or memory care, your monthly fee remains about the same. Compare that to covering household expenses and the additional cost of care.
Age Together at Freedom Pointe
Life Plan Communities offer senior living for couples that provides peace of mind by allowing them to receive high-quality care and additional support if ever they need it. It can also ease any future burden on adult children and family members. While it might seem like it’s too early to make a move, it’s truly never too soon. Freedom Pointe consistently ranks as one of the Best Nursing Homes in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. To learn more about our award-winning offerings for couples with different needs or to schedule a visit, contact us here.