It may come as a passing thought to many that most social structures don’t concern themselves with the aged. Once an older adult retires, there are a few options left for them to pursue. With age, they can become a burden to their children both financially and emotionally, which is why many seniors choose to live independently of their children. This, however, comes with a lot of risks, especially with increasing medical needs.
Life after retirement, however, doesn’t have to be so bleak; services such as the assisted living community and memory care communities have constantly evolved to make themselves more accommodating to the elderly with a more personalized style instead of an umbrella approach. An assisted living community is a pre-designed neighborhood or complex, and the residents live in its many dwelling units. Compared to the medical environment and round-the-clock care of nursing homes for extremely frail patients, assisted living communities attract relatively healthier retirees over the age of 60.
With the attention and care of such a community, seniors will feel relieved to know that their needs aren’t a burden on their children or family. If you feel that it’s time to prepare your loved one for inpatient memory care, here are 5 reasons that you can consider as to how assisted living can be beneficial to everyone involved:
1. Safety and professional care
The thought of an older adult living alone has so many things to be concerned about. You can never know which devices in the home may prove to be a danger to them. If they get into an accident and no one else is in the house, it may be impossible for them to reach the telephone to call for help. In cases of dementia, Alzheimer’s, or other cases affecting the memory, they may wander off and get lost. Regular home maintenance can be a headache, too: the yard needs to be cleaned, bills need to be paid, the upkeep during storms, and winter may become too expensive.
These time-consuming responsibilities are handled by proper maintenance staff in assisted living communities. They provide a secure environment 24/7, properly equipped with alert systems and direct care staff for any sort of assistance in regular routines. Families will be relieved to know that they receive everyday assistance with personal grooming, eating, and mobility.
2. Freedom and independence
Because the burden of home maintenance has been taken off their hands, seniors in assisted living communities now have the time to pursue new hobbies, plans, and relationships without having to worry about the daily chores. The assisted living community also offers dependable transportation, so they can also have the liberty to dine out, go on shopping trips, or for doctor’s appointments.
3. Social Opportunities
Older adults that choose to live independently of their children in order to avoid being a burden can easily fall into a cycle of isolation or loneliness brought by the disconnect. A lack of community can exacerbate mental health triggers, most of which can also lead to severe physical health issues. Depression among older people is often linked with dementia, which may lead to unhealthy behaviors like smoking or abusing prescription medication.
In contrast, assisted living provides the warmth of a community filled with social interaction. Group activities such as exercise classes, book clubs, and game nights encourage building new friendships.
4. Improved health
This is not just for the seniors: anyone who lives alone knows that it’s easier to get into healthy eating habits when you live with another person. Assisted living communities have personal cooks to make sure that the residents are eating healthy balanced meals, and cafeterias and daily menus are always nutritionist-approved.
The community also encourages the residents to be more active by joining exercise classes or even just going for daily walks. Active seniors, most studies show, improve their memory and energy better than sedentary seniors.
5. Customized care
Care services in places like senior living communities should give your loved ones the attention they need and deserve. Before choosing a particular assisted living community residence, the family should first discuss with the people in charge and draft a customized care plan that caters to the senior’s current needs, as well as what they might need in the future.
A customized care plan should cover all activities that might go into the personal daily schedule and should be regularly evaluated by the medical team to notice any change in health and promote early diagnosis for better treatment options.
With assisted living, you’ll be glad to know that your loved one is in great hands. The strong sense of community reminds them that they can have a life even after all of life’s supposed milestones. Each benefit mentioned above all comes together to enrich all aspects of their daily disposition, from healthy meals to uplifting activities with peers, that lead to a better quality of life.
