Which would you prefer?

[Jazzy]

When you get old, would you prefer to stay in your own home with a visiting caregiver once a day, or go into a home with lots of other older people? Why?

 

[tango]

It's impossible to say.

As at right now I'd rather stay in my own home than be forced to downsize and share a room with a stranger. But I might think differently when I'm old enough for the decision to be relevant.

 

[Ammi]

When you get old, would you prefer to stay in your own home with a visiting caregiver once a day, or go into a home with lots of other older people? Why?

My mother got Alzheimer's and spent the last few months of her life in a long-term facility. I quickly learned to hate that place. So did my dad and we both felt terrible about it. We'd visit for 15 minutes and then we'd almost want to run out of the place screaming. I hope I die before I have to go into a place like that! I just turned 65 and at the end of next month it'll be 11 years that I've lived with my oldest son. I hope to spend the next 11 with him.

 

[Albion]

My mother got Alzheimer's and spent the last few months of her life in a long-term facility. I quickly learned to hate that place. So did my dad and we both felt terrible about it. We'd visit for 15 minutes and then we'd almost want to run out of the place screaming. I hope I die before I have to go into a place like that! I just turned 65 and at the end of next month it'll be 11 years that I've lived with my oldest son. I hope to spend the next 11 with him.

I know. So that's why the answer to the question isn't really about which one (home or institution) is to be preferred. The "group home," or whatever the preferred term is, can only be considered a last choice, when there isn't a workable alternative.

 

[Ammi]

I've been alone for so long that it doesn't bother me. Some people prefer the social aspect of an assisted living facility.