If your aging loved one’s hygiene is slipping, they forget to take their medication, or have trouble cooking healthy meals, it may be time to consider assisted living.
Assisted living communities offer many benefits for seniors and their families. Here are five key ones to remember as you discuss your options.
Enhanced Health and Wellness
When seniors live alone, isolation can hurt their health and well-being. But, in assisted living, they can socialize regularly and enjoy activities promoting happiness and well-being.
Apart from assisting with everyday activities such as eating, dressing, and bathing, numerous retirement communities also provide wellness initiatives, including exercise classes. These programs help improve balance and mobility and can reduce fall risks.
Moreover, residents can expect healthy, restaurant-style meals that are a pleasure to taste and smell. This is especially helpful for older folks who might not feel as hungry or find it hard to prepare meals independently. Reliable transportation services are also provided so seniors can safely and quickly go out for shopping, appointments, and social events.
Enhanced Socialization
Getting older often means shrinking social circles, making seniors feel isolated and lonely. Assisted living communities provide opportunities for socialization through activities, events, and interactions with others in the same life chapter. Seniors with these friendships feel less alone and more connected, enhancing their quality of life.
Sarasota assisted living community programs also include intellectual stimulation that helps keep the mind sharp and reduces the risk of cognitive decline, such as Alzheimer’s or dementia. Participating in group discussions, learning something new in an art class, or attending educational lectures allows seniors to stay curious and engage with their surroundings.
In addition to lowering stress levels, this social contact can also lower blood pressure. It can even boost the immune system, helping to prevent illness and infections.
Enhanced Security
Assisted living provides the help that seniors need to stay healthy and safe. It also offers a sense of community for those feeling lonely or isolated in their homes.
Residents receive the level of care right for them – from assistance bathing and dressing to reminders to take their medications. Employees are also trained to help with mobility challenges and to aid in an emergency.
Many aging adults choose assisted living because it can be a cost-effective option often covered by long-term care insurance or Medicare (though it’s important to note that it doesn’t cover room, board, or personal care). It also takes the pressure off family members to find time for themselves.
Enhanced Independence
Seniors move to assisted living because they no longer have to worry about home maintenance, heavy cleaning, cooking, and driving. They can enjoy their lives in a community that offers three meals daily and various social and recreational activities.
Assisted living communities typically bill a monthly fee for rent, amenities, services, and care support. However, this fee can be offset by retirement or Social Security income, life insurance policies, a lump sum from the sale of a home, or assistance from Medicaid. In addition, residents may be able to use their long-term care insurance or VA Aid and Attendance benefits. This helps to ensure that senior’s financial situation is protected. They never have to worry about the economic impact of aging, and their families can rest easy knowing their loved one’s care needs are covered.
Enhanced Peace of Mind
Many seniors who move into assisted living are relieved of the chores and responsibilities of maintaining a home. For family members, this can also reduce stress.
Peace of mind is a feeling of calm and clarity that helps you approach life’s challenges in a considered way. It doesn’t mean that you won’t have to deal with problems or difficulties, but it does help you see them in a more balanced way. If you’re considering senior living for yourself or a loved one, NCAL recommends researching facilities to ensure high-quality care and that they can meet your budget. They also recommend visiting a facility and meeting administrators, staff, and residents. This can give you a sense of what it will be like to live there.
