Older adults typically require a form of senior care and support at some point. Physical frailty, health challenges, reduced mobility, medication schedules, and poor vision all make it unsafe for adults to continue living alone. While some people consider nursing options, assisted living is a much better option for seniors who need personal care services and help with daily activities.
What Is Assisted Living?
Assisted living is any form of residential care seniors receive to help them with daily living and basic activities ranging from dressing to cooking. Staffed by full-time employees, assisted living communities help seniors maintain their independence as much as possible. This arrangement works best for seniors with mild health challenges that limit their functioning.
A quick glance at a standard assisted living community shows they’re much different from skilled nursing facilities and clinical settings. Communities typically offer a range of services, facilities, comforts, and enjoyable activities that makes them feel more at home than at a nursing home.
What Does Assisted Living Help With?
These communities provide residents with personal care and adequate support to complete routine activities in their day-to-day lives. Seniors also get to interact, which helps them overcome loneliness. Older adults who move into senior living facilities receive:
- Meal and nutrition services
- Transportation to see doctors
- Regular housekeeping
- Laundry services
- Property maintenance
Safety and emergency care, proper nutrition, and overall senior wellness care are available in assisted living communities. However, they won’t receive help for Alzheimer’s or other serious medical conditions that require skilled nursing care. Those with age-related conditions should seek skilled nursing and memory care services.
Benefits of Assisted Living Care and Support
These communities provide a range of services and amenities that seek to promote a senior’s well-being – physical, emotional, and mental – while allowing them to pursue their interests and maintain social connections. Here is how your senior loved one will benefit:
Hassle-free, comfortable living
A key benefit of these collective community services is that aging adults enjoy a maintenance-free lifestyle. Those who usually struggle with burdensome house chores such as cooking, cleaning, and home maintenance get all the support they need at the local assisted living facility.
Many assisted living communities are well-staffed, meaning residents have someone that can help them whenever they need assistance. With nothing to bog them down, these seniors can indulge in their favorite pastimes or pursue their interests or whatever makes them happy.
Personalized care
Older adults have different and unique needs. Some may need daily medication reminders while others need help with cooking, dressing, or other routine tasks. Assisted living facilities provide personalized care to their residents. But first, seniors undergo an in-person examination to understand their cognitive and physical needs before they move in.
The staff also meet with the family of the senior to discuss specific health conditions and to assess their mobility and fine motor skills. Once the staff understands what type of care or level of support your loved one needs, they will create a personalized care plan for them.
Care coordination
Seniors who move into assisted living facilities also receive care coordination. Most facilities have strong partnerships with local physicians and healthcare providers, ensuring seniors receive care and treatment whenever they need it.
- Medical care with dentists, primary care physicians, cardiologists, podiatrists, optometrists, and more
- Health checkups for residents recovering from injuries or illnesses
- Pick up and drop off for medical appointments
- Medication management for diabetic people
- Hospice care
- Rehabilitation services (physical, speech, and occupational therapies)
Safety and peace of mind
3 million older people go to the ER each year due to slips and falls. So, safety is often a concern for families of aging adults who live on their own. Falls can cause severe head or hip injuries that can make daily living a nightmare. Many facilities assess seniors for accidental falls before they check in and continue monitoring them as their health conditions change. Once the caregivers know what risks a person faces, they take steps to keep them safe.
Seniors can expect a safe environment with controlled access and security protocols. Spaces are designed to prevent falls and provide various safety features, such as textured floors and handrails. Most communities also have alert systems that enable residents to get emergency help with the simple push of a button. The support staff is available round the clock.
Nutritious meals
While good nutrition is an essential aspect of senior living, aging people tend to lose interest in food. Some may lose their appetite and grow weak due to poor dieting. That’s where assisted living facilities come in handy. Meals are healthy and tasty. Day in and day out, residents enjoy nourishing, restaurant-style meals that combine rich, flavorful ingredients that suit their dietary preferences. Independent living communities may prepare meals that cater to the diverse health needs of seniors. Those with hypertension, diabetes, and other conditions, will never lack something that tickles that palate.
Dining is also more of a social experience for residents as they can have a hearty conversation over hearty, healthy meals. Mealtimes can be fun and comforting. But most importantly, having someone to share a meal with daily often encourages seniors to eat healthily and make wise food choices.
A fun, social environment
Older adults who live alone often feel lonely. Isolation can harm your senior’s mental and physical health. Changing family dynamics, including divorce and losing a loved one, can make a senior person feel isolated. Some people pick up harmful habits such as smoking, poor dieting, and excessive drinking to cope. These can lead to depression, heart disease, and even dementia.
In senior communities, seniors enjoy social interactions and connections that contribute to longer, happier lives. They also have excellent opportunities to stay active, learn new skills, and engage with peers. Assisted living residents can engage in various activities such as music, sports, religious/spiritual practices, and crafts. Programs may vary from one community to the other, but one thing is for sure, residents have lots of options depending on their cognitive and physical skills.
Senior-friendly accommodation
Elderly veterans who check into assisted living facilities have access to various rooms and floor plans. They can stay in studios, one-room apartments, or houses with two-three bedrooms. The good thing about a senior living community is residents can choose the type of accommodations that matches their needs, lifestyle, and budget. There are a lot of assisted living options. For the convenience of seniors, living apartments often come furnished. Those who want to bring personal stuff or items are free to do so.
Rooms in these apartments are designed with accessibility features and seniors’ safety in mind. You will find grab bars in showers and tubs, non-slip floors, and wide doors for seniors who use wheelchairs or walkers to move around. Some apartments have kitchenettes for seniors who want to prepare their meals and private bathrooms.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Assisted Living?
Any older person who needs help with routine activities such as bathing, dressing, walking, toileting, and even feeding is a good candidate for assisted living in Cabot, AR. Anyone who has difficulty keeping up with house chores, preparing meals, or driving safely can benefit from the services provided. Not to mention those who feel lonely or socially isolated will benefit from assisted living care.
Looking for an Assisted Living Facility for Seniors?
Now that you know what services most assisted living facilities provide and the benefits, you can feel confident moving your seniors to assisted living communities. StoneBridge Senior Living is a safe, well-staffed assisted living facility where your loved ones can receive all the support they need and interact with other residents.
Call us to arrange a site visit of our independent living community or discuss your assisted living care needs with our team. We shall give you a breakdown of our assisted living expenses and assisted living services.