Aging Couples and Independent Living Options

One of the problems that may be encountered with aging couples is the decline of one spouse.  As an aging spouse begins to take on the role of caregiver for the ailing spouse, caregiving can become overwhelming.  We have discussed many options, but I would like to touch on Independent Living centers today.  The independent living option is more for the sanity and success of the caregiving spouse.  A community I have worked with in +Cedar Park, TX is +Lakeline Oaks, a subsidiary of the +Steve Mueller Lifestyle Resort Communities.  In this community residents have individual apartments with internal hallways, weekly maid service, three cooked meals served in the facility dining hall, planned daily activities, a privately contracted home health agency such as +Capitol Home Health on site, bank on site, gym, theater, privately contracted personal care services (such as my employer +ComForcare Home Care of Austin) available, bus transportation, and a doctor that provide weekly visits to the facility and has an office on site.  With all of these listed ammenities, the caregiver is relieved of much of the stress and isolation that occurs with caring for an ailing spouse.  Meals and meal planning are taken care of, basic housekeeping, having to get the spouse to appointments in town frequently, and the ability for both spouses to socialize is critically important.  In these type of facilities, the caregiving spouse is surrounded by a tightly knit community and support network.  As I have addressed in previous posts, isolation and depression for caregivers can be crippling and cause significant decline for the "well" spouse.