Whether your loved one is experiencing these telltale signs, you can make the transition to assisted living smoother by knowing how it will enhance their quality of life.
Malnutrition is a common issue for seniors who live alone. Eating less can weaken their immune systems and cause other health issues.
Personalized Care
Personalized care plans allow each resident to receive the specific level of assistance they need. This will enable families and caregivers to feel more confident that their loved ones receive the appropriate care.
In addition to assisting with activities of daily living, Sarasota assisted living communities also offer housekeeping, meals, laundry services, and an emergency call system in each apartment. This allows residents to continue enjoying a high quality of life while having the assurance that their medical needs will be addressed promptly if an emergency arises.
Socialization
Isolation can contribute to depression and mental decline, so assisted living communities offer a variety of social connections for residents. These social connections may include group exercise classes or a friendly face at meals.
Interacting with others helps keep the brain sharp and can aid in memory retention. It also motivates seniors to learn and use their minds more often.
Many people choose to live in an assisted care facility because they no longer want to maintain a home. They may need help cooking, cleaning, or doing yard work. They may even have trouble driving or getting to appointments.
Mental Stimulation
Mental stimulation keeps the mind sharp and helps ward off dementia and Alzheimer’s. Participating in social activities, playing games, and reading are all excellent ways for seniors to engage their minds.
Many assisted living communities offer educational opportunities for their residents. They may partner with a local college to bring professors in to talk about the residents’ chosen topics.
Some assisted living homes are built in converted houses or apartments, while others are in renovated schools. It is essential to consider all your options when deciding which type of community to live in.
Physical Activity
Assisted living communities are often located in residential-type settings ranging from converted homes to apartment complexes. Unlike home health care, assisted living is designed for those who require assistance with daily activities but do not need medical attention or around-the-clock supervision.
Most residents pay for their assisted living services out-of-pocket with their own money or through limited long-term care insurance coverage. Most state offers a Medicaid program called the Assisted Living Program (ALP) that pays for some of the associated costs.
A free resource offered by the Council on Aging helps individuals determine if they may meet ALP’s income and asset eligibility requirements.
Meal Preparation
A home-cooked meal is not only nutritious, but it can also boost your loved one’s mood and provide an emotional lift. Assisted living facilities typically serve three meals a day in a dining area.
Using logistic and proportional odds models, we found direct relationships between the duration and count of food-related activities and self-rated mental health and time use outcomes. Additionally, an analysis of the activities that follow meal preparation showed that those with higher stress levels or feelings of not having enough extra time did more chores and care activities before and after meal preparation.
Transportation
Assisted living is often more affordable than nursing homes, offering a full range of care services. Most seniors pay out of pocket for their assisted living, and some states have Medicaid waiver programs to cover room and board costs.
When looking for a facility, they recommend touring multiple locations to get a feel for what it’s like and talking with administrators, staff, and residents. If your loved one has pets, ask what the policy is. Some facilities may not allow exotic animals or charge additional pet rent.
Medication Management
Many seniors experience difficulty with medication management. It is harder to adhere to a medication regimen when co-pays are high, when someone can’t drive them to the pharmacy, or when they have trouble understanding dosage and administration instructions.
Assisted living is an option for older adults who need assistance with daily activities and require some form of care but aren’t ready to move into a nursing home. These communities provide a safe, supportive environment with prepared meals and social activities. This improves the quality of life and reduces healthcare costs by avoiding unnecessary hospital admissions, readmissions, emergency room visits, and nursing home placement.
