Positive Aspects of Being a Senior Citizen

Becoming a senior citizen these days carries a common stereotype that is associated with a slowing down of the mind and body, and an increased dependency on others. While there are some valid points of fact within that stereotype at some level, it's certainly not a true depiction of all senior citizens, and it overlooks some, if not all, of the more positive points that are associated with the elderly. Aging has its disadvantages and unpleasant outcomes, however there are lots of privileges being given to a senior citizen. The advantages you could derive from growing old are actually pretty significant and can assist you cope better with aging.

In the United States, a person reaching the age of 65 is typically considered a "senior citizen" and is eligible for all the benefits associated with the classification.  Some of those benefits are mandated at the federal or state level, while others are extended based on courtesy.

Those benefits can include:

Groups and Associations - There are a number of senior citizen groups that have an age requirement in order to join. Perhaps the best known is the AARP (American Association of Retired Persons). The are several others including:

AMAC - The Association of Mature American Citizens

ASA - American Seniors Association

CSAO - Conservative Senior Americans Organization

 

Organizations like this offer a number of excellent benefits including discounts on insurance, travel, car repair, etc. 

Discount tax preparation - There are a number of state and federally based organizations that offer reduced rate or even free in some cases, tax preparation.

Discounted restaurant rate - Most restaurant and diners offer some form of senior citizen rate for meals or some type of senior citizen discount. The only catch: you may have to show proof of age to qualify. My mother-in-law likes to travel and eat out, and she has saved quite of bit of money using her senior citizen discounts.

Reduced insurance - Both through certain senior citizen organizations and also, independent of those organizations, there are opportunities for senior citizens to receive reduced rates for various type of insurance including car and homeowner insurance. Don't expect the same discounts for health and life insurance as it's unlikely to happen. 

One thing about these types of benefits, they may not be clearly posted or noted anywhere so you may have to ask if any are available. 

Although not a senior citizen myself quite yet, my opinion is: you've earned this benefits so take advantage of them and be proud of your senior citizen label. To me, it's a badge of knowledge and experience.

What Does Assisted Living Mean?

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines the term "assisted living" as: "a system of housing and limited care that is designed for senior citizens who need some assistance with daily activities but do not require care in a nursing home".

While that may be the official definition, the term itself has evolved a bit so that it is now typically associated with housing facilities or residences that are geared towards either senior citizens or people with disabilities. The "assisted living" terminology was coined in the early 1990's to describe situations where independent living is not an option, but the person doesn't require 24 hour care and supervision either.

In most cases, the move to true assisted living is a slow transistion. Most start with some form of very basic in-home care. When seniors who live alone first start to want just a little help across the home, it's natural for their family members to deal with needs by employing a home care aide to visit occasionally. Very frequently, the senior just doesn't need to move to an "old people's house", and employing a visiting attendant solves this difficulty.

And it may initially appear to become a less expensive alternative than assisted living or alternative types of residential care. It's cheaper (so we believe). Problem solved, right?

For most families, it's acceptable in the beginning. Home care is frequently adequate for seniors with lesser needs - those who might use someone to check-in and do some housekeeping. However, for seniors who desire help with day to day personal activities like visiting the toilet, it may be insufficient or prohibitively expensive.

As seniors age, their needs generally grow. Then eight hours daily, regular of the week. And eventually a live-in aide becomes needed. But somewhere along the line between around the clock attention and only a small home care, a line is crossed when assisted living may be the less expensive alternative.

For example, the price for typical helped nationwide is around $3400 per month, while home care generally costs about $25 per hour. A home care aide who visited visited five hours daily, everyday, prices more compared to the average cost assisted living community. And unlike assisted living, where help is accessible 24/7, a senior with five hours of home care daily would be entirely on their own for the remaining 19 hours of every day.

Families which were initially satisfied with home care often start to find it challenging for reasons beyond price. Matching the senior with the appropriate, trustworthy health professional can be hugely ambitious. Sometimes families will go through several caregivers till they find who appears right, but when that health professional leaves for another job, the entire procedure for finding the best match begins over.

And even families who find a very long serving aide whose personality meshes with the senior, there are inevitable situations of missed work, absence, and vacation. This is challenging for obvious reasons, particularly whenever there aren't any relatives or other loved ones nearby to fill the gaps in care.

Seniors who rely entirely on a home care aide could also start to endure the damaging effects of isolation, particularly when they don't leave have many visitors. Whereas seniors who reside in an assisted living community have someone to speak to or chat with anytime they enjoy, a senior relying on home care might have little chances for in person companionship aside from the health professional.

Is assisted living right for your situation? Only you can make that decision.