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Are you a senior citizen who is thinking about care options? Or do you have an elderly relative you’re growing concerned about? Although everyone would like to remain independent for the entirety of their adult life, the reality is that at some point in your golden years, you might not be able to do the things you used to anymore, or your health might begin to decline. This is why there are many different care options for senior citizens, all catering to specific needs and different levels of care. One example of this is assisted living, which can offer individuals help with daily tasks that they might no longer be able to do themselves, such as getting dressed and washed in the morning or doing domestic chores. If these struggles sound familiar to you, perhaps it’s time to consider the option of moving into an assisted living facility. Below are some of the benefits you will find with this type of care.
Making Life Easier
As mentioned above, in an assisted living facility, residents are provided help with carrying out simple daily tasks that they might be finding difficult to complete by themselves. Rather than struggling to maintain a safe and tidy living environment, you will have carers who can come and do these chores for you. You will also have meals prepared and served at regular times, assistance with maintaining personal hygiene.
Socialization
Another perk of assisted living is being around other people who are of a similar age and position. Loneliness is a big problem with senior citizens, particularly if they have been living alone after a partner’s death or are living far from relatives or friends. Moving into an assisted living home can provide the opportunity to make new friendships with like-minded people, helping to diminish feelings of loneliness that you or your senior relative might have been experiencing recently.
Healthcare
Assisted living is different from a nursing home as the healthcare provided here isn’t as intensive. In nursing homes, residents will have specific conditions that need full-time care and monitoring, whereas assisted living is set up for individuals who are still in relatively good health but struggle with some aspects of day-to-day life. However, there are still healthcare services in these facilities that include medication management and occupational therapy.
Organized Activities
It’s important to keep occupied during the day to help maintain some sort of routine, and one way this can happen in an assisted living facility is through the organized activities they have on-site. Exercise classes, movie-screenings, arts and crafts, dancing, book clubs, and day excursions are just a few examples of what you can expect to happen throughout the week. With so much on offer, it shouldn’t be hard to find something for everyone to enjoy. It’s also a great opportunity to make new friends with people you have something in common with.
Comfort
Most assisted living homes can provide private rooms or apartments for residents, which is ideal. This can offer an additional level of comfort by allowing people the opportunity to have some quiet time alone if they choose. With high-quality furnishings, getting settled into your new living space shouldn’t be too difficult.
Peace of Mind
One of the best benefits of moving into an assisted living home is having peace of mind that you or your senior relative is getting the best quality care they need. No longer will you have to worry about whether or not they have been able to prepare themselves something to eat or if they are sitting in a mess at home because they’re physically unable to keep up with household chores. If they do fall or injure themselves, they can call someone to come and help them straight away and won’t be waiting long, and they can receive the proper medical attention quicker as well.
How to Find an Assisted Living Home
There are plenty of resources online where you can find out more about assisted living and even find recommendations for providers like Belmont Village Senior Living,for example, who also offer a range of other senior care options. When trying to select the right kind of assisted living facility, there are a few things you will need to think about first.
1. Location
Moving as a senior citizen can be a more daunting task than usual, and often it can be quite emotional if they have spent the majority of their adult life in their current home. To make a move easier, make sure you’re finding a suitable location closer to their relatives so visitations can become more frequent, or not too far away from where they are already living. This will reduce the stress of moving and keep them in a familiar area.
2. Price
It’s also very important to consider how you’re going to pay for assisted living as well. If you are the individual who is moving into the facility, how much can you afford to put towards these costs? Will you need help from your family? If you’re looking for care for an elderly relative, the same applies – are they going to pay towards it themselves, or do you need to help them out? Discussing this before you start visiting assisted living facilities so you can get a realistic idea of what to expect for your budget.
3. Ask for Recommendations
Finally, any assisted living home will tell you how great they are, and a site visit will only tell you so much. To make sure you’re getting a better understanding of what life will be like in a particular home, look at reviews from other residents or relatives to see their opinions. You should be able to find some on the home’s website or find online forums and inquire over these channels instead. You might also want to ask around your friends or relatives who have experience with assisted living homes for recommendations near you if this is possible. Moving into an assisted living facility can offer many benefits for both individuals who require this kind of care and their loved ones. It’s important to take your time to find the right facility for you, but you should certainly look at your options if you’re growing concerned over your abilities to look after yourself or that of a senior relative.
