They Planned Everything to Stay Home Longer

Choosing between staying at home or moving into a senior residence is not like choosing between two phone plans. It’s a deep, intimate decision, often loaded with emotions… and misunderstandings. Some families argue. Others avoid the discussion until an event forces the decision. And in all this? We sometimes forget to ask the right questions. The ones that go beyond price or fear. The ones that address real needs, human connection, and dignity. So… shall we ask them together?

Comparing the Models… Without Opposing Them

Affordable senior residence or aging in place with services? Each of these choices involves costs, but more importantly, very different contexts. In a residence, many services are shared: meals, care, security, activities. At home, one often has to coordinate caregivers, manage schedules, adapt the space. But beware: in both cases, there are implicit expectations. Some families think that in a residence, everything is taken care of. False. Others believe that staying at home is always more economical. Also false. You have to look at what’s included, what needs to be added, and above all… what the person wants.

And let’s be honest: who hasn’t heard, “Come on, a senior residence at that price, it’s a steal!”? Yes, but a steal for whom? For the one who pays, or for the one who has to live there? Exactly. Nuance.

Level of Autonomy Is Not Just a Feeling

To make the right choice, you first have to assess the actual level of autonomy. The ADL (Activities of Daily Living) scale is often used by professionals: can the person bathe alone? Manage personal hygiene? Prepare meals? Take medication? And these are not just boxes to check: they are concrete indicators of a person’s ability to live alone safely. Some signs are subtle: an empty fridge, wearing the same clothes for several days, memory lapses, refusal of help… These small clues often show that more structured support is needed.

And let’s be real: when you ask, “Did you eat well for lunch?” and you hear, “Yes, yes, I had a banana and toast”… three days in a row… it might be time to face the facts. Even if grandma swears she’s still “very fit for her age.”

What It Really Changes on a Human Level

We must not forget the social and emotional effects. Some seniors live very well alone at home: stable routine, familiar neighborhood, peace and quiet. Others, on the contrary, gradually isolate themselves, especially when mobility declines. In such cases, a senior residence can be a chance to regain sociability, conversations, and familiar faces. But sometimes, it’s the opposite: a brutal uprooting, a loss of bearings, a feeling of being “placed.” The key is to know what matters most to the person: peace? Social connection? Privacy? Stimulation? The answer is never universal.

SmartSAFE™: Stay Home, Stay Safe, Stay Longer

This is where tools like SmartSAFE™ can make a real difference. With the SOS button and automatic fall detection, the person can stay home longer without compromising safety. It’s not a gadget: it’s an invisible safety net that lets loved ones breathe easier and helps the senior keep control. This technological compromise often delays the move. And sometimes, that’s enough to extend an active, dignified, and free stage of life. Because in the end, between moving into a senior home too early and taking risks by staying at home… there is a smart middle ground.