Why Assisted Living Facilities Are a Smart Choice for Senior Independence
Assisted living is a great choice for seniors who want to trade in the worries of homeownership for true independence. It provides a safe, home-like atmosphere with many amenities that encourage socialization. Before choosing an independent living facility, visiting and speaking with staff members and administrators is important. Ask questions about their experience and qualifications.
Socialization
When surrounded by peers, seniors can participate in various social activities. This keeps the noggin stimulated and creates new neural pathways to improve memory, thinking and reasoning skills. Assisted living facilities such as Senior Care Options also offer lifelong learning opportunities through book clubs, lectures on world events, and computer workshops. This mental stimulation can lead to higher “feel-good” hormones, improving happiness and overall quality of life.
As you tour, ask many questions and visit multiple times—even unannounced if possible. Take note of how staff interact with residents and how clean each area is.
Health Care
When health conditions change, seniors often need assistance with everyday activities. This is what makes assisted living facilities a great choice for older adults. These communities offer various services and activities that promote physical health, mental stimulation and social engagement. Many also have onsite healthcare providers to help with any needs.
Transportation
Many assisted living facilities offer scheduled and on-demand transportation services to local destinations such as restaurants, doctors’ and dentists’ offices, and religious services. Long-term care insurance, Medicare and Medicaid can partly cover these services. Studies have shown that lack of access to transportation can result in barriers to health care, such as rescheduled or missed appointments and poorer medication management. Assisted living communities help to ensure that residents have the proper medications at the right time, which is critical to their well-being. When looking at potential assisted living communities, schedule tours to see the space and talk with administrators, staff members and residents. Ask specific questions about transportation options to understand better what the community offers.
Meal Preparation
Nourishment is a major concern for seniors who have trouble cooking for themselves. Assisted living facilities provide residents with three prepared meals daily that are tasty, nutritious and satisfying. Most of the time, meals are served in a restaurant-style dining room at specified times throughout the day. But if your loved one is a night owl or has difficulty moving around during mealtime, ask the facility you are touring about in-room dining and anytime options.
In addition, if your loved one has difficulty eating because of health problems like dementia or Alzheimer’s, the staff can make sandwiches and offer them to them while they walk around. This helps them to eat while also keeping them hydrated and healthy.
Housekeeping
If a senior has trouble maintaining their home or doing chores like cleaning, grocery shopping and shoveling snow, an assisted living facility can handle those tasks. That leaves time for more fun and less worry. Look for a facility emphasizing social activities and offering entertainment options such as group exercise classes, movie nights or art workshops. These can be great for mental stimulation and a sense of belonging. Ask about health monitoring services, as well. This does not include medical treatment but rather a staff person ensuring residents take their medications correctly, follow doctor orders, and are checked on at night.
Safety
Most assisted living facilities are designed with safety in mind. For example, they often feature ramps, flat thresholds, hallway hand railings, and raised toilets to reduce fall risks, leading to serious injuries and health complications.
These facilities also provide recreational, cultural and social activities to help seniors stay physically and mentally healthy, boosting mental strength and building community connections. They also offer onsite healthcare access to ensure your loved one receives quality care. When selecting a facility, follow a structured search process and ask many questions. Visit multiple times and unannounced.
Peace of Mind
A major perk of living in a senior community is peace of mind. Caregivers can rest easy knowing their loved ones are safe and well cared for. Families are encouraged to visit and join their loved ones at meals in these communities. This helps to reduce stress and prevent caregiver burnout. Assisted living communities usually bill residents a monthly fee, which includes rent, amenities and services. Some seniors use their Social Security or pension income to cover these costs. Others use long-term care insurance, which can help offset costs.
