Coping and adjusting to a new place becomes much more challenging as a person grows older. Just the thought of leaving your precious home and living in an entirely new community can give you so much anxiety and stress. This is why many older adults don’t welcome significant changes in their life with open arms, especially if it involves transitioning to an assisted living community.
However, there will come a time when a senior like you or your loved one will need the nurturing and enriching environment of assisted living homes.
So before closing the door to this incredible opportunity, why not take a closer look at what assisted living is, what it offers, and how it can benefit you or your loved one’s life?
What Is An Assisted Living Community?
An assisted living facility refers to a senior residential option for older adults who need daily care and help with daily living activities. It provides more support and assistance than an independent senior community but not as much as a nursing home.
Assisted living features homes or apartment complexes much like a normal community. Seniors can live life normally and seek help only if they need to.
Anyone can choose to live in an assisted living home, but some seniors may “have to” more than others. This is true for the following cases:
- You need caregiving services and help to attend to your daily living activities.
- You have a minor health condition but seek to lead an active and healthy life.
- You don’t want the stress of home maintenance and household chores.
- You are still in perfect health, but you know that you will need assistance soon.
Furthermore, compromised physical safety (e.g., increased risk for falls) or declining health may also signify that it’s time for a senior to move to a facility that can ensure their overall well-being.
Benefits of Assisted Living Homes to Seniors
Assisted living is more than just a residential setting that provides daily care and assistance. It can actually bring an incredible improvement to a senior’s quality of life while also lifting the burden of caregiving duties from family members.
If you are considering moving yourself or a senior loved one to assisted living, then this is your sign! Here are five fantastic benefits that you or a senior loved one can reap by transitioning into an assisted living community.
1. Improvement of Health Condition
Most seniors with certain health conditions, such as frailty, mobility problems, or impaired vision, need 24/7 supportive care and essential medical assistance—all of which an assisted living facility can provide.
Caregivers give round-the-clock support for all residents who need it, day or night. They can help you accomplish daily living activities and ensure that your needs are met with compassion while also ensuring that your privacy and dignity are intact.
They may be providing daily care, but they also do it in a way that promotes independence. For instance, if you have trouble eating but still want to do it yourself, then a caregiver can cut your food into small pieces and let you enjoy your meal on your own.
Moreover, care plans are updated and assessed regularly to give the proper level of care to its residents. Besides nutritious meals and supportive care, assisted living can also help you with medication management and other primary healthcare needs.
2. Enhanced Physical Wellness
Improving the body’s health condition is not just all about medications and therapy sessions. Seniors also need to engage in physical activities to strengthen their bodies and health.
To achieve this, most assisted living homes provide fun physical exercises on top of nutritious meals and healthy lifestyle routines. Some of the activities and services commonly offered to enhance health and wellness include:
- A senior-friendly fitness program in an on-site fitness studio or outdoor space.
- Wellness-focused retreats guided by professional fitness experts.
- Nutritious meals and drinks are served in your home or their dining area.
- Daily grooming services, such as spa treatment, massage, mani and pedi, and beauty salon.
3. Plenty of Fun Activities
All older adults want to lead an active and social life despite any health conditions. Fortunately, assisted living communities provide a diverse set of exciting activities inclusive for ALL seniors!
Do you enjoy peaceful afternoon activities? Then you can try attending their Bible studies or participating in coffee chit chats. Do you have a lot of energy and are looking to use them on a sweat-inducing activity? Then you can attend the daily morning exercise and join in the cornhole competition.
There’s plenty of activities for everyone; all you need to do is look into their monthly calendar and see which ones pique your interests. Some pursuits commonly offered in communities include:
- Trivia and games
- Movie nights at the on-site movie theater
- Creative expression through arts and crafts
- Educational activities like learning sign language or taking up an online class.
- Gardening
4. A Welcoming and Friendly Community
Not only do you get to meet fellow and like-minded seniors, but you also get to socialize with caregivers, facility staff, and family members of residents.
Assisted living homes provide social activities and plenty of opportunities for seniors to socialize. They know how vital socialization can be to the lives of older adults.
For one, it wards off mental health problems commonly experienced by seniors, such as social isolation and loneliness. It also brings forth feelings of happiness, contentment, and satisfaction.
Additionally, communities also encourage strong familial relationships by staying connected with loved ones through regular visitations, phone calls, and virtual video conferences.
5. Peace of Mind
All these benefits work together to improve a senior’s quality of life, which in turn results in their and their family’s peace of mind.
You and your family can rest easy knowing that you or your senior loved one is in the hands of compassionate professionals in your chosen assisted living home. See yourself or your loved one thrive and live the best years of their life.