5 Benefits of Assisted Living

So you've seen the signs and are considering whether or not to move your loved one into an assisted living facility. Figuring out which places give what and what facilities they have can be a hassle. And what if you aren't totally convinced in the first place. The decision can be hard one, and despite wanting the best quality of life for the person you care about, it's easy to not be 100% sold.

Assisted living communities can be a great place for anyone struggling with aspects of their lives, whether they are related to health or age. There are plenty of benefits to moving a loved one into assisted care, and while it can be expensive, it is most definitely worthwhile! 

1. 24/7 Professional and Personalized Health Care

If you are considering moving someone into an assisted living community, it is more than likely they need help with some aspects of their lives. Perhaps they need help with their daily living, with daily activities such as bathing, basic hygiene, and cleaning, are all too difficult to take care of their own. Maybe they are having medical issues that you are unsure of how to deal with, or they need constant personal care. There are many different problems people can have, and assisted living may be able to help with them.

The around the clock care that assisted living provides is incredible, and far more than you can give on a moment-to-moment basis. If your loved one is in need of constant medical care due to any health problems, there are teams of nurses and caregivers ready to administer any care plan that your loved one may need. From physical therapy to bloodwork and testing, the skilled nurses and family caregivers are ready to provide the assistance they can.

It isn't just medical needs that are addressed and accounted for though. If you're loved one needs personal care assistance and aid with their daily living activities, assisted living is the perfect place for them to be. Whether its help with taking a bath, organizing and taking their medications, or meal preparation, assisted living is able to provide help with all of it.

While it may seem like you are abandoning them in this home, the personalized and special care that an assisted living home can give is excellent!

2. Opportunities for Recreation and Independence

Even when one's health isn't in perfect condition, and help is required for various activities, that doesn't mean that you can't have fun or be independent in any way. Assisted living facilities are useful not only for the long-term care that they provide to their residents, but for the additional services and amenities that they provide. These can be anything from game-nights, movie nights, specialized events, and much much more. Just because they need some help with their lives doesn't mean that they can't have fun!

Not only are they good places for fun and recreation, but there is also a focus on giving people whatever semblance of an independent life as they can. Despite needing help with things like medication and hygiene, there's a chance to also do the things they can, and give a healthy sense of community life. Whether it's going to visit their friends in another building, checking out the cafeteria in some down time, or heading over to the game room for some bridge, there's an endless supply of things to do and plenty of social events to keep anyone occupied!

3. Nutritious and Tasty Meals

Finding healthy and delicious foods to cook every single day can be a hassle for everyone, and especially someone who needs help with their daily activities, and this is where assisted living is an absolute life-saver. 

There are three square meals a day prepared by cooks, with healthy and tasty options available at all times of the day. While they may normally struggle to cook something that is good for them everyday, the amazing team at the homes provides for them. Not only is going and getting meals a great thing to not have to worry about, but they give an awesome chance for visiting and a healthy social life to continue as well.

Whether or not your loved one needs a snack later on in the evening, or some early-morning coffee, the staff and caregivers do everything they can to help with meal preparation and making your loved one's day as great as possible.

4. Peace of Mind

It can be a hard thing knowing that your parent, grandparent, or anyone else may need more assistance than you can give them. Even if you are doing your best and giving it your all, constant attention and caregiving requires team and can lead to quite a bit of stress. This is one of the greatest gifts that an assisted living home can give, and that is peace of mind. 

Worrying about your cherished family member who may be experiencing intense feelings of loneliness or require constant medical assistance, isn't easy. In any assisted living, there's plenty of 24-hour medical or nursing care always at their disposal, community life that is thriving and always involved, and a sense of independence that isn't easy to find at that stage of life. Knowing that your loved ones are in safe hands gives an incredible peace of mind, and while is can be a difficult choice to move someone into a home, it can be a great decision for anyone involved. 

5. Safe Transportation, Always Ready

Are your parents still wanting to drive even at old age and when their sight is leaving? Maybe they are constantly wanting to go places, but you are unsure whether or not transportation is able to get to them? Are they able to visit their friends whenever they want?

If these are questions you need to consider on even a regular basis, it might be time to consider some options of assisted living communities. These communities have not only skilled caregivers, but other staff ready to help whenever needed, including transportation. Not only is there constant methods for getting around the facilities and buildings, but if they need something out in town, or want to visit a friend, all of this is looked after and arranged.

These forms of transportation are great not only for the ease-of-access, but the social interaction, as everyone will be using them, and gives people a great chance to hang out with their friends. This safe and reliable transportation is a great chance to give people a bigger slice of independent living. 

6. Vibrant Home Life

While it was mentioned before, one of the greatest parts of assisted living is the great chance that it gives for a wholesome and involved lifestyle. An assisted-living community gives resident's a chance to interact with and befriend other's on a day-to-day basis, with plenty of social activities happening all the time, from book clubs, to board games, to movie nights, there's plenty of things for people to do.

While an assisted living community does in fact give resident's a solid opportunity to flesh out their social life, this doesn't mean it isn't safe and monitored. While they are encouraged to make friends and go to outings and events, these things are monitored and staff is waiting on standby in case anything happenings. While fun is definitely the plan, safety is the priority, and the reason why people are there in the first place!

Conclusion

While assisted living may not be perfect in every sense, the chance to give people great and personalized care is incredible. From recreational activities, memory care, healthy meals, and wellness programs, there are countless reasons to have someone join a senior living community. 

Moving someone is a hard choice to make, but it can be great, not only for them, but also for you.