by: Sarah Morris
When you get older, the effects of aging can manifest in physical, mental, and emotional ways. Sometimes, these make doing tasks you can otherwise do everyday be a bit harder and complicated to accomplish. These tend to lead to instances where you need supported living, and it can be frustrating especially if you’ve gotten used to live independently. However, just because you may have to be under supported living doesn’t mean life is over for you. In fact, with enough mental preparation, you may grow to appreciate the kind of renewed perspective supported living can give you. This article will give you insight as to how to mentally be prepared for aging and supported living.
It might help to get a better understanding on just how aging and supported living works as a concept before people take steps to mentally prepare for 
it. In essence, assisted living can be availed for adults in need of assistance with tasks they normally do everyday – such as using the bathroom, eating, bathing, or dressing. This doesn’t mean all tasks need assistance, though, which means assisted living isn’t full-time nursing care. Rather, these are systems set up to help older adults with specific tasks they couldn’t otherwise do because of existing conditions.
Supported living facilities can sometimes be found in retirement communities, and other nursing homes have these nearby so people can easily move in. And while supported living does cost less than nursing home care, it can get costly depending on the needs required. Although some families and older people can find supported living part of things covered in long-term care and health insurance policies, which can help make the costs a bit more tolerable for the wallet.
Supported Living: How To Be Prepared For It?
When you think about supported living as you age, you can’t be blamed for being a bit overwhelmed and afraid to having to depend on new systems just for you to be able to function. After all, you were perfectly active and healthy before, so surely being “supported” means being “not” perfect, right? This isn’t exactly the mentality to follow, as systems from places such as TG Psychology are set up to ensure you can use supported living to continue being able to have an independent life, and not exactly become a “sign” that you’re no longer in control over your life. Here’s how to mentally be prepared for aging and supported living: 
- Assess and evaluate your body and mind’s condition as you grow: Perhaps one of the best ways to mentally prepare for aging and supported living is to be the best person who knows your body, aside from the doctor. When you do medical tests or check-ups with a physician, always take note of what they say and ask questions about your body whenever you have something to clarify. If you’re entitled to check-ups, don’t hesitate taking them and always be attentive to what doctors tell you. When they prescribe you medicine, always ask what exactly will this medication do and how they work. The more you know about your body’s current condition, the more you can be accepting of what needs to be done because you’re aware of what works and what doesn’t.
- Develop an inquisitive point of view about your health and wellness: If you’re curious about something, especially related to your body, don’t hesitate to search for information and read up on various things. Always approach things with an open perspective, so you’re constantly going to learn about yourself and how your body works everyday. When something seems scary or confusing, don’t hesitate to consult your physician about it for clarification. It’s much better knowing you have a condition and knowing you actively research about it than to just wait for professionals to do things to your body without you knowing why, right?
- Be aware of your body’s condition and its needs: While undergoing checkups and learning about your body and your potential conditions, always be aware of what you need over time and how you can achieve it. Always look for alternatives if what the doctors are suggesting can be frustrating for you. If there are no alternatives, then try practicing their proposed solution and look into the solution’s perks and advantages it can prove to you.
- Remember that medical professionals are your best friends: When people tell you that you need to perhaps avail assisted living, remember that the individuals that will help you aren’t doing this because they pity you or think you’re weak. They’re helping you because they know you’re capable of overcoming your potential hurdles, you just need a bit of push to get where you need to go. The sooner you realize that they’re there for your benefit and growth, the better it will be for you. And if you do feel guilty that they’re helping you when you’re supposed to “help yourself,” remember that you’re helping them as well as they’re being paid to assist you. Think about it, they’re helping you be a better person by aiding you in tasks your body finds difficult. Likewise, you help them make a living by allowing them to help you. Seems like a nice exchange, right?
- Try to find hobbies and passions to pursue while you’re getting assistance: One of the most important things to look forward to in order to better prepare yourself mentally during supported living is to check for passions and hobbies you want to pursue. If you think you’re not going to be able to pursue a hobby you like anymore, try to look for new ones either related to your original hobby or something completely new. If you want to take this up a notch, you can even involve the people aiding you to try it out with you as well.
The Bottomline: The Power Of Mental Preparation Even While Aging
Aging comes with a lot of benefits and caveats, and unfortunately the older we get the more we get to realize the need for supported living. Of course, given the various implications of supported living, a lot of older people do find the idea a bit dreadful and frightening. After all, this implies they can’t do the things they used to do when alone, right? Well, yes and no. If the above is taken into consideration, then you’re going to realize that supported living isn’t a bad thing – and given enough mental preparation, you’re likely going to be able to find ways to enjoy things you’ve usually done before even as you age.