Compared to typical nursing homes, assisted living communities offer more customized care. On the other hand, the degree of care provided to older persons depends on the number of daily life tasks that need support. Assisted living services may include, but are not limited to, blood sugar checks, toileting help, walking, grooming, bathing, and dining.
1.5 million senior persons, or 4.5 percent of the elderly population in the United States, reside in nursing homes, while 2% are in assisted living facilities. However, most elderly persons live in assisted living complexes, accounting for 93.5 percent of older adults. This demonstrates that consumers choose assisted living communities that incorporate social networks and assisted living services over institutions that concentrate only on senior care.
Alzheimer’s patients need constant social assistance, which a specialized alternative living facility can only provide. It is critical to locate an assisted living facility that offers the highest quality assisted living services. There are several internet platforms that may assist in finding an institution that provides Alzheimer’s care. Additionally, assisted living facilities have begun collaborating with communities to strengthen their cultural competency and dedication to older residents’ social welfare. Talk to your loved ones today about what they want in their future.
Looking at assisted living services can be a truly painful decision to make, both for the person entering assisted living and the family member arranging the new living situation. However, in many cases, assisted living services can be a blessing in disguise, with activities, outings, medical care, and much more provided within the walls of the assisted living home. There’s also still a level of independence with assisted living, but often you can have greater peace of mind, knowing that your loved one is being monitored should an emergency come up and that he or she is being well taken care of by the staff at the assisted living home. It takes pressure off of you and can often offer your loved one a better quality of life than the one he or she was facing at home. A senior living community or assisted living community can be wonderfully vibrant, engaging, and welcoming, with similar interests and experiences coming together.
What Can I Expect From Assisted Living Services?
In all assisted living residences, you should expect there to be round-the-clock supervision, whether that’s provided by the home or it’s arranged by them. Three meals a day and snacks are available to residents, usually in a group style dining room — exceptions can be made, of course, especially if the resident is unwell or wants his or her privacy. The range of services to improve resident quality of life and independence can vary depending on the residence, but usually personal care services, such as hair styling, health care, medication management, social services, laundry, housekeeping and maintenance, and some type of transportation arrangement are included.
Generally, over 75% of those in assisted living have at least two of the ten most common chronic conditions; usually high blood pressure or a form of dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease. And two-fifths of residents usually had help with at least three (often more) aspects of daily living, like bathing and dressing.
What Benefits Can Assisted Living Services Offer My Loved One?
Like mentioned above, medical care and supervision are two very important aspects that are offered with assisted living services. You don’t have to worry about your loved one slipping or falling in his or her home and no one discovering until it’s too late. If basic everyday tasks have become too challenging for your loved one, staff are there to help assist, while also allowing him or her some autonomy and independence. Additionally, senior care on-site activities and senior care organized outings are often regularly arranged by assisted living services, to keep residents active and engaged. There’s usually a good range available and live music, a good library, classes, and other activities may be available on a weekly rotating schedule for your loved one to attend.
Even better, your loved one may find friends at the assisted living home. Growing older can often be isolating, and this is a great environment for your loved one to find a group of people around his or her age and with similar interests, histories, or experiences. Friendship and a sense of community can make a huge difference in the quality of someone’s life.
How Do I Make Sure My Loved One Is Entering the Right Assisted Living Home?
Of course, you want to make sure that your loved one enters the right assisted living home for him or her. Touring the facilities and talking to the staff is one of the best ways to do this. Are the facilities clean and fresh? Are there plenty of windows? Does it seem like a comfortable and well maintained facility? Doing simple things, like viewing an activity sponsored by the home, eating a meal there, talking to the staff, and talking to other residents is a good way to gauge how the home operates on a day-to-day basis, not just when visitors are there.
Although it can be tough, you — and your loved one — may be pleasantly surprised by what a good change the move ultimately is. Of course, take your time in reviewing homes and talking with your loved one before making a decision.