Understanding the Benefits of Assisted Living for Seniors
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Wondering if assisted living is right for a senior loved one?
Decision-making when it comes to senior care can seem super stressful. There are so many options out there, and it’s hard to know what’s best for your parent or grandparent’s specific needs. However…
Facilities like assisted living in Tigard are an excellent option for seniors who need a bit more help with daily tasks than independent living provides.
This guide will cover all the details about what assisted living really means for seniors and their families and help you make the right decision.
Let’s get into it!
Check out these things:
- Differences in Assisted Living
- Assisted Living: The Top Benefits
- Who Needs Assisted Living?
- What to Consider for Choosing the Best One
Differences in Assisted Living
Assisted living falls into a sweet spot between living alone at home and staying in a nursing home.
Unlike nursing homes that offer skilled medical care 24 hours a day, assisted living facilities help seniors get support with activities of daily living while maintaining a high level of independence. This can include bathing, dressing, medication reminders, meal preparation, and light housekeeping.
BUT
Seniors get their own apartment or room with easy access to common areas where they can socialize. If they need extra help or support, trained staff are available to assist with whatever they need. Assisted living communities like assisted living in Tigard offer residents dignity and independence while still providing a safety net of available care.
The great thing about assisted living is that there is no “one size fits all” solution. Different communities offer varying levels of care and assistance to fit individual needs.
Assisted Living: The Top Benefits
Safe and Secure 24/7
Safety is a big concern for aging loved ones and their families…
Facilities like assisted living in Tigard offer 24-hour staff availability which means there’s always someone there to help in the event of an emergency. They also provide fall prevention services, medication reminders, and can get to residents within seconds if they need help at any time day or night.
Just think…
If your loved one lives alone and has a fall or medical emergency in the middle of the night, it’s scary and disorienting. In an assisted living community, on the other hand, staff will be able to respond and help immediately.
Stay Connected in a Community
Something not to be underestimated is…
Loneliness and isolation are a huge problem for seniors and as humans, we need social connection and interaction to stay healthy mentally and physically. Studies have proven that social engagement is one of the most important aspects of healthy aging.
Assisted living communities take care of this by providing:
- Daily social activities
- Dining experiences together
- Hobby clubs and classes
- Day trips and outings
Residents can make meaningful connections and friendships with other residents who are in a similar stage of life. Being part of a community is so valuable!
Professional Care Without Sacrificing Independence
This is what assisted living really excels at…
Seniors will get assistance with the things that are becoming more difficult for them such as showering, dressing, or taking multiple medications but they will still maintain control of their daily life.
Need to sleep in late? Fine. Skip an activity day? No problem. Staff are there to help but the residents are still the boss of their own lives. The care is meant to supplement independence, not take it away.
Healthy Meals Without the Hassle
Cooking and grocery shopping become more challenging as we age…
Assisted living facilities provide three meals a day, as well as snacks that are prepared by professional chefs. The food is nutritious and balanced with dietary accommodations as needed.
Say goodbye to:
- Grocery shopping trips
- Planning and prepping meals
- Standing for long periods to cook
- Cleaning up afterwards
Mealtimes are also an opportunity for socialization with other residents over a nice meal.
No Need to Clean or Do Maintenance
All of those household tasks that start to pile up as your house ages?
No more! In assisted living, all of that is handled for residents. Housekeeping staff take care of regular cleaning, laundry, and upkeep of the units/apartments. Maintenance staff handle any repairs that need to be made.
Residents can focus their time and energy on things they enjoy doing instead of worrying about household upkeep and maintenance.
Access to Healthcare Services
Most assisted living communities will have partnerships with healthcare providers or on-site services available…
This can include:
- Routine health monitoring
- Medication management and reminders
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Transport to medical appointments
Some even have nurses available on staff to make sure residents are getting the healthcare they need. Seniors can get this support without the full medical focus of a nursing home.
Who Needs Assisted Living?
One of the trickiest parts of the decision-making process for many families is knowing when it’s time for assisted living.
But there are some pretty clear-cut signs that it might be the right option. A loved one could benefit from assisted living if they:
- Are struggling with activities of daily living (bathing, dressing, etc.)
- Feel isolated or lonely at home
- Have difficulty with medication management
- Are falling frequently or have safety concerns
- Struggle to maintain their household
- Need more support than family can provide
Here’s a stat:
Seven out of 10 people will require some type of long-term care during their lifetime. This is not a rare thing that only happens to a few families — this is something that most of us will have to deal with at some point.
The average age of assisted living residents is 84 years old, but some facilities will take people as young as 65.
Learning About the Growing Demand
The demand for high-quality assisted living facilities is growing FAST…
By 2030, the U.S. will need nearly 775,000 new senior housing units just to keep up with demand. Baby boomers are reaching retirement age in droves, and they want senior living options that offer support but still let them maintain their independence.
This is good news for families because there will be more options to choose from in the coming years. However, it also means it’s a good idea to do your research ahead of time before the time of need actually occurs. Many good facilities have waitlists.
Making the Right Decision
Picking the right assisted living facility is an important decision that requires time and research…
The first thing to do is visit multiple communities in your area. Talk to the staff, residents, and families already going through the process. Ask questions such as:
- Staff-to-resident ratios
- Daily activities and programming
- Meals and dining options/flexibility
- Healthcare and medical services available
- Emergency response times and procedures
- Cost and payment options
Trust your gut instinct too. The right community will feel welcoming and clean and be a place that your loved one would be happy to live.
Wrapping Things Up
Assisted living facilities offer a unique combination of independence, community, and professional support that can greatly improve the quality of life for seniors who need help with daily tasks but don’t require medical care.
24/7 safety and security, socialization opportunities, nutritious meals without cooking, housekeeping and maintenance services, and access to healthcare are all provided in one place. The top benefits of assisted living include:
- Professional care while still being independent
- In-built social connections and activities
- Safety and security available all the time
- No more worrying about household maintenance or cooking
- Easy access to healthcare when needed
For families who are stressed about the balance of wanting to encourage their loved one to be independent while also needing to know they are safe, assisted living is a wonderful middle ground.
The decision to move into assisted living is a big one but understanding the benefits it offers makes it a little easier to know. Assisted living isn’t about losing independence, it’s about gaining the support needed to live life to the fullest during the golden years.