Many people hear the term assisted living and think they know what it means. However, when they begin to delve deeper, they quickly learn they were wrong. Every individual needs a thorough understanding of assisted living to ensure it is right for their loved one. The senior living option offers comfort, care, and community for seniors.
Understanding Assisted Living
Assisted living offers a balance between Independence and required support. Residents live life as they choose, with help with daily tasks when needed. It is neither independent living nor full-time nursing care; it fills the gap between these two types of services. When comparing assisted living choices, seniors and their loved ones should consider the offerings to find the right community for their unique needs.
Reduced Stress
Seniors benefit greatly from assisted living because it reduces their stress. Staff members complete household chores and yard work so residents don’t need to worry about these tasks. They can wake up, get ready for the day, and enjoy time with their friends. There are no cleaning, laundry, meal prep, or other required tasks. Residents have the freedom to spend their time as they choose, leading to a higher quality of life.
Safety and Security
Every senior who lives alone worries about having an accident and not being able to call for help. This is a valid concern today. When they relocate to an assisted living community, they no longer need to worry about this. These communities are designed with safety in mind. Wide hallways, grab bars in the shower, call systems in every room, and support staff on hand 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to ensure the residents remain safe and secure.
Furthermore, assisted living community residents have emotional support. There is always somebody around when they need companionship. Staff members get to know the residents and become part of the extended family. The staff is available to sit and talk with residents, provide them with care, or just listen to what they have to say.
Building a Community
An often overlooked element of assisted living is the community. Older adults frequently struggle to maintain their social connections. They often live alone, lack transportation or the ability to move around easily, and don’t want to burden their family members by asking them to take them to senior places. When living in an assisted living community, seniors always have companionship. They share their days with others and establish friendships. Mealtime is no longer strictly about food; it becomes a time to sit and chat with others, building these connections. Activities planned by staff members are also designed to bring people together.
Independence
One reason many seniors put off moving to assisted living is that they worry about losing their freedom. In reality, these men and women actually gain more freedom because they don’t have to worry about household chores and other responsibilities. They spend their days doing things they love, surrounded by people they now call friends. When they desire privacy, they may retreat to their living quarters; when they seek companionship, they can gather in a common area with others. It’s all a matter of what the senior wants at any given time.
Assisted living communities benefit countless seniors today. They have a place where they can remain safe and secure while socializing with their peers and building relationships. They gain peace of mind when they transition to one of these communities, and their families do as well. This is one option every older adult should consider.