Patsy is a bold woman with a thirst for new life experiences. She likes to go on dates and participate in dinner theatre events. She has a family of four children, two birds, two dogs, two cats, and a handful of grandkids. She just celebrated her 75th birthday. She is widowed, and she lives alone, but she prefers it that way— most of the time.
Christmas in October
Patsy recently started researching assisted living and senior care after an incident that involved a ladder, some Christmas lights, and a doozy of a head injury. Her family always advised against this, but her stubborn and independent nature propelled her to decorate early for the holidays. What took only a few seconds to happen on a chilly Midwestern morning resulted in brain surgery, years of medication, and weekly physical therapy sessions.
Recovery comes with time and practice, and Patsy powered through the rehabilitation process. She continues to explore the world, but her experiences have led her to realize that things could always be easier. She knows she could still use the help with household chores. She still hates driving and running small town errands. But she also still has trouble finding the best suited care for her lifestyle and prefers to spend her hard earned income on new travel opportunities, fulfilling adventures, teacup size dog clothes, and king size bedspreads. She needs care that will support her health cycle and promote an optimal physical and mental condition that will pave a smooth road from here on out.
Maintaining quality of life
When it comes to affordable senior housing, options for people like Patsy aren’t always easy to come by. How do you find the right balance of luxury, care, location, and cost-effectiveness without having to sacrifice what’s most important or desirable to you? Some senior care experts claim that the difficulty in procuring affordable housing stems from lack of available property, increased real estate costs, and even cultural changes.
Retirement communities like Hacienda Del Rey in Litchfield Park, Arizona are combatting this struggle every day. How? It’s all about personalization, also known as relationship-based care. By paying attention to even the smallest changes in behavior, the facility is able to gauge the possibility of future situations that pose a higher risk for hospitalization— such as Patsy’s. Whimsy and curiosity lead to an increased chance of emergency, but it’s no reason to resist a sense of happiness. This sort of closely monitored care establishes loyalty, trust, and consistency between staff and residents. It also prevents frequent future visits and long-term stays, allowing for a healthier financial status and sense of self.
Follow up
So, what does this mean for all of the Patsy’s in the world? Arizona has always been a dream retirement destination for her. Great weather, breath-taking scenery and an abundance of like-minded individuals tend to saturate the area in the best of ways and for good reason.
With facilities like Hacienda Del Rey and other climate-centric senior living facilities, Patsy can rest assured that her wanderlust will never be hindered, and her comfort certainly won’t be compromised. On-site maintenance can hang those twinkling holiday lights for her.
