One of the big advantages of assisted and/or independent living is the social interaction between peers. Even though my father does not like to socialize with “old people”, he has made a new friend at the assisted living facility and they are in LOVE. They look like a couple of teenage kids starring at each other across the table. Unfortunately my dad’s new girlfriend has Alzheimer’s. so she may have to move to a memory care facility if she gets much worst. At this point she is in assisted living because she is not at risk of “wandering off”, she just needs help with here daily living including medication. Together, the two are so happy that my dad agreed to stay in the facility as long as his girlfriend is there. He still holds on some fantasies about getting in the car and driving back to his house (which no longer is livable due to neglect and negligence) . I was a pleasant surprise that we agreed that the facility was a good place to be and that he would stay. Now we just need to get some of his financial problems resolved and life will be good.