As people age, maintaining independence becomes an important part of their lives. For many seniors, losing their independence is a great cause of worry. The majority of them want to remain in their home and comprehensibly so. However, the reality of the situation is often not on their side. Studies show that one out of five Americans over the age of 85 confesses they either require or already receive assistance with activities of daily living.
One way of getting them the kind of assistance they need and still being as independent as possible is known as assisted living. In some circles, they are also referred to as personal care services or residential care services. However, regardless of the essential differences between the distinct licenses, the level of care offered by each is designed to provide the required support to ensure residents enjoy optimal independence levels.
What Assisted Living in De Soto, MO, Provides
In a nutshell, seniors receive personalized, human services in a residential setting known as an assisted living community. They are ideal for older adults whose well-being or health needs a higher support level. This is usually determined through health assessments by the community, in line with government regulations.
Some of the most common assisted living services include assistance with grooming, dressing, using the bathroom, and medication management. Others that are included in assisted living are laundry, housekeeping, meals, social activities and programs, and transportation services.
Professional assisted living communities to have staff members available to residents 24/7 to assist with support, safety, and care. To make their new residence feel like home, the residents are often encouraged to bring their personal items and furniture.
If you are a prospective assisted living resident, you will be assessed when you check in. This helps in the creation of a customized service plan that meets your specific requirements, making the care truly. Some assisted living communities that are licensed to offer memory care will often have separate menus and dining rooms based on the nutritional needs of the residents.
What Assisted Living Does Not Offer
Assisted living is not similar to nursing homes or skilled nursing home care. Skilled nursing facilities offer their residents full-time care by professionally trained medical personnel. If a resident requires a higher level of medical attention, either long-term or short-term, they should get extended care, long-term care, or skilled nursing care. These facilities are usually licensed by Medicaid and/or Medicare. Their main focus is on long-term medical care or short-term rehabilitation.
Another service you may come across is called supportive services. The term has different meanings depending on the state you are in. In some states, it means care specifically meant for developmentally-challenged adults; in other states, it means a level of care similar to assisted living.
Assisted Living Communities Overview
Assisted living facilities are a bit similar to independent living communities. This is because both offer the same types of lifestyle and social benefits. An assisted living facility also provides special programs and packages that are adapted for the residents.
Today, there are tens of thousands of assisted living communities in the U.S. This means for every preference, there is a community out there that is the best fit for you. And although the categories of assisted living settings vary from multi-acre campuses to high-rise apartments to gated communities or anything in between, they all have the same principle and approach – providing privacy, encouraging independence, and treating all the residents with dignity.
If you are looking for an assisted living community for yourself or a loved one in De Soto, MO, it is advisable to go over the state’s regulations. Assisted living is regulated in all the U.S.
Activities of Daily Living (ADL)
The leading reason that older adults opt for assisted living is that they need help with their activities of daily living, also known as ADL. Most of the seniors seeking this assistance often need help with at least of these activities. According to the National Center for Assisted Living, the most common ADL requirements for residents entail assistance with:
- Bathing (77 percent).
- Walking (69 percent).
- Dressing (62 percent).
- Bed transfer (51 percent).
- Toileting (49 percent).
- Eating (26 percent).
Who can Benefit from Assisted Living?
A Quality of Life in Assisted Living Survey was conducted in 2019. The study reported that when older adults moved into assisted living, 78 percent of family members and 87 percent of the assisted living residents reported being satisfied with their experience of the communities.
So, how do you know if your loved one needs to be in an assisted senior living community? Here are some things to consider:
- Is preparing meals becoming more difficult for them?
- Have they experienced at least one fall over the last year, with injury or not?
- Do they require more assistance managing their medication, bathing, getting dressed, or with any other ADL?
- Is it becoming more difficult for them to maneuver safely around the house?
- Are you concerned about isolation or their safety?
- Have you noticed signs of hunger or malnutrition?
If the answer is yes, it may be time to explore the assisted living options available for your loved one.
How Much Does Assisted Living Cost?
Assisted living costs vary from one facility to another depending on factors such as types of services needed, residence size, locality, and more. For this reason, there is no single answer. However, a 2021 survey by Genworth reported that the national average monthly cost for assisted living is approximately $4,500.
Looking For the Best Assisted Living Near Me In De Soto, MO? Welcome to StoneBridge Senior Living
At StoneBridge Senior Living, we have a team of highly trained and compassionate assisted living staff members who go over and beyond to assist residents. Unlike most assisted living facilities, we truly care about our residents.
Our facility offers top-notch assisted living care that includes laundry services, medical services, hot and delicious prepared meals, emergency care, and more. So, if you want the best-assisted living care for your loved one, we have got you covered. For more on assisted living, visit StoneBridge Senior Living at our office in De Soto, MO. You can also call 636.586.6559 today to schedule one of our in-person tours.