After spending your whole life caring for the welfare of others, it is now time for you to take that much-needed rest and satisfying retirement through assisted living.
An assisted living facility refers to a senior residential option that assists with the daily needs of older adults while still encouraging independence.
They can give you the freedom and privacy you want while also offering support through personalized assistance plans if need be. While they do have around-the-clock supervision, they still let their seniors have a sense of independence, and help is always a phone call away.
Some of the basic aid assisted living communities offer includes:
- Help in attending to personal needs (e.g., bathing, dressing, cooking)
- Housekeeping and home maintenance
- Local transportation
- Safety and security
- Healthy meals
- Wellness and social activities
- Accommodates disabilities and health monitoring
Assisted living facilities not only provide seniors with the best assistance and care they could ever ask for. These communities work relentlessly to give seniors what they deserve–a quality life.
If you’re still on the fence, here’s how assisted living can improve the quality of your life.
Offers Healthcare Assistance
Senior care homes provide healthcare assistance without undermining your freedom and independence through the use of technology and devices.
For instance, facilities have assistive and rehabilitative devices (e.g., handlebars, handled cups), so seniors with mobility issues have the option to do basic activities on their own if they want.
These technological devices can help improve their health condition and ensure their safety while boosting their self-confidence.
Moreover, facilities also help with several health-related concerns such as medication management, physical therapy, hospital appointments, and mind-stimulating activities.
Just be transparent with their staff about your preferences and medical needs early on so they can accommodate you adequately.
Provides Enriching Activities
Getting old and having so much free time can sometimes cause boredom for many older adults, but not for those who live in an assisted living community.
Senior facilities prioritize the welfare and enjoyment of older adults by allowing them to pursue or discover their passion. They do this by filling each resident’s time with a variety of captivating activities, such as:
- Arts and crafts classes that offer painting, drawing, and photography
- Puzzles, crosswords, and card games
- Music therapy
- Gardening and cooking lessons
- Reading and writing activities to stimulate the mind
- Sports and exercises like tennis, badminton, and yoga
- Movie and entertainment nights
Enriching activities are essential for seniors because it gives them a chance to rediscover their lost passion or hobby. It also encourages a new sense of purpose as they find a new activity that gives meaning to their lives.
Arrange Healthy Meal Plans
As a person ages, certain essential activities become difficult to attend, such as preparing and cooking a healthy meal. Seniors also undergo changes that affect their appetite, causing them to eat less and not reach their nutritional requirements.
This is why many seniors who live alone suffer from malnutrition and dehydration, leading to severe health conditions if not addressed.
Fortunately, assisted living facilities prevent all of these from happening. They take on the responsibility of meal preparation and serve only appetizing yet nutritious foods perfect for your dietary needs.
Whether you have diabetes or high cholesterol, rest assured that your daily meals are prepared based on your preference and health concerns.
Gives Room for Social Relationships
Like teens and working adults, seniors also need healthy social interactions to keep them emotionally and mentally fit.
Studies suggest that staying connected with family and friends and building new relationships help prevent mental problems like depression and isolation.
Assisted communities recognize the importance of social interactions; that is why they offer activities that encourage socialization, such as:
- Creating social clubs or groups like a book club
- Taking classes with other senior residents
- Doing different hobbies and activities with like-minded seniors
- Family gatherings and community events
- Interactions with friendly staff and caregivers
Every activity in the facility, even during mealtime, is an opportunity for everyone to meet new people and create long-lasting friendships.
Facilitates Safety and Security
Safety and security become a big issue during seniorhood because of the physical and mental consequences of aging like:
- Decreased bone and muscular strength
- Blurred or loss of vision
- Forgetfulness
- Mobility issues
- Slow reaction time
These body changes make simple activities–like climbing staircases or bathing–dangerous, compromising an older adult’s life.
So if you want to ensure your safety while still exercising your independence, then being in an assisted living facility is the best option.
Aside from senior care, assisted communities provide robust security measures through CCTV cameras and a compounded residence.
They highly regard the safety measures of each resident by making their homes and all public spaces senior-friendly. They do this by:
- Installing skid-proof flooring in every bathroom
- Installing bath aids, bed railings, handrails, and safe walkways
- Proper lighting in every public area
- Spacious rooms for easy maneuvering
- Proper ventilation and exhaust in the kitchen and bathroom
- Locating rooms on the first floor for easy access
- Placing signages to indicate specific places or to give directions.
Access to Efficient Transportation
No matter how slow and safe you go, driving and commuting expose you to several uncontrollable external factors that can significantly endanger your life.
As an older adult, having an accessible means of safe transportation is incredibly important to attend to your personal and medical needs.
Fortunately, assisted communities also provide this for their residents. Without endangering yourself or burdening a family member, you can freely do your salon appointments, doctor’s check-ups, and monthly shopping spree.
It can also accommodate seniors with disabilities or mobility issues, such as having ramps for wheelchairs and hand railings for support.
Conclusion
With the compassionate care and multitude of services they provide, assisted living improves the quality of life of senior residents and their families.
Older adults receive an array of assistance and support to ensure happiness and comfortability. While their families get to have that satisfying peace of mind, knowing that their loved ones are getting the care they deserve.