According to a study released at the American Geriatrics Society Annual Meeting, the majority of seniors would rather spend their latter years aboard a cruise ship than in an assisted-living facility.
The study is a follow-up to research examining the feasibly of « cruise ship care » for seniors, which was published in the November, 2004 issue of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
In that study, lead author and geriatrician Lee Lindquist, MD, of
Like assisted-living facilities, ships provide services older patients need, including meals, escorts to meals, and 24-hour access to medical staff, she found. And, over a 20-year period, costs of living on a cruise ship are comparable to the costs of most assisted-living facilities-about $3,000 per month.
In the follow-up study, Dr. Lindquist and colleagues interviewed 56 older adults, ages 55 to 94, living in the community or in assisted-living facilities, and found that 51.8 percent would rather live at sea on a cruise ship than ashore in assisted living. Younger interviewees were keener on the idea: the main age of those favoring the cruise ship option was 64; of those choosing assisted living, 77.
Dr. Lindquist plans another study to determine what admission and discharge criteria assisted-living facilities use, and whether these can best determine appropriate candidates for retirement living on cruise ships.
ABOUT AGS:
Founded in 1942, the American Geriatrics Society is a nationwide, not-for-profit association of geriatrics health care professionals dedicated to improving the health, independence and quality of life of all older people. The Society supports this mission through activities in clinical practice, professional and public education, research and public policy.
With an active membership of over 6,700 health care professionals, the Society has become a pivotal force in shaping attitudes, policies and practices in geriatric medicine. The American Geriatrics Society Annual Meeting, the premier scientific meeting for geriatrics health care providers, educators, and researchers, began May 11 and runs through May 15.
Media Contact: Barbara Loecher, 212-308-1414 x 308
All of the above text is a press release provided by the quoted organization. globalagingtimes.com accepts no responsibility for their accuracy.