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It is a fact that you know your loved ones better than anyone else, hence realizing that you can no longer provide them adequate support for their needs as they age, is rather difficult. This is the time to consider assisted living as an option for seniors who value their independence, but also need personal assistance with daily activities. It may be overwhelming or intimidating for you as a caregiver to move your elderly parents to assisted living, but here are some top benefits for both you and your loved ones that can make you look forward to this golden chapter of life. With so many options in senior living today, it is important to understand the benefits of each type of care. The benefits of assisted living include a bouquet of compassionate care that helps seniors with activities of daily living, a lifestyle full of social activities, wellness programs, and community outings designed to help them lead a quality life of their choice.
Social Benefits of Assisted Living
A Vibrant Social Life
An exciting social life is one of the greatest benefits of assisted living for your elderly loved ones. As they get older, the seniors tend to become isolated for various reasons such as relocation, death, responsibilities, or mobility and health issues of family and friends they socially interacted with earlier. This can lead to a plethora of problems, like poor health, depression, poor mobility, and more. Researchers have found that seniors with an active social life may have a slower rate of memory decline. At assisted living facilities, they become part of a loving, supportive community of people their own age who understand and empathize better with them. The facility residents engage in activities designed to foster social connection such as arts & crafts, book clubs, art therapy, and gardening besides outings to theatres, malls, movies, and social hours, thus improving their quality of life.
Transportation and Outings
As they age, many seniors lose the ability or desire to drive, so transportation and social activities often become a challenge. Not only that, the maintenance of a vehicle becomes an added burden. Many assisted living facilities offer transportation, so that seniors can go on coordinated group outings to theatres, movies, malls, restaurants, or on doctor’s appointments. This gives them a feeling of being connected with the world outside.
Physical Benefits of Assisted Living
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Increased Physical Activity
The different activities that assisted living facilities offer to maintain the physical health of the elderly and reduce stress are very beneficial to your loved one’s health and well- being. These include a range of indoor and outdoor activities, such as yoga, gardening, chair exercise classes and more. Remaining physically active not only keeps their blood sugar in check, but also increases circulation, and improves their heart rate. They can also improve cognitive behaviour and delay dementia.
Better Nutrition
Most seniors find it tiring to prepare healthy, nutritious and tasty meals as they age, and often opt for the easier way out i.e. junk food. However, great food and nutrition is as important if not more for seniors, as it is for others. Not only that they tend to become finicky when it comes to eating, hence a welcoming dining experience is critical too. At most assisted living facilities, 3 full meals are provided to all residents, daily. However, at some facilities the residents help design the chef driven and prepared menus, so each community has a unique menu that represents the residents’ tastes and meets all their dietary needs. Some even provide snacks 24/7 to give the residents the flexibility of an anytime meal to satisfy a sudden craving, or hunger at an odd hour.
Assistance with Daily Living Activities
Assisted living facilities provide assistance with 'activities of daily living’ like grooming, bathing, dressing and eating, but balance is key when it comes to the level of assistance each senior receives. Residents may be independent in many ways, so the range and level of support needed vary from person to person. While still having access to the care they need, it’s important that your loved one retains independence and control over their lives and schedules, hence the staff at assisted living facilities strive to strike that delicate balance. As your loved one ages further, they may need more help with daily activities like housekeeping, transportation, bathing, dressing, hygiene, and laundry. Or your loved one may even need help walking or support related to memory loss or respite care. Assisted Living staff provides respectful, hands-on assistance with dignity whether they need help regularly or as needed.
Reduced Stress
Most seniors do not like to be a burden on their families as they age and need more support. Assisted living reduces stress and can immensely improve the quality of life for your seniors while preserving their self- respect and dignity. Thus, seniors enjoy a more independent and social lifestyle in the company of their peers, while getting the 24/7 care and support they need.
Personalized Care
Assisted living facilities take a holistic approach to your loved one’s senior care by focusing on each individual’s experiences, unique health needs, and personal preferences. Their staff get to know each resident, making them feel at home, understanding the support they need, and creating an optimum environment. This may include 24/7 nursing care, medication administration, or mood and behavior monitoring.
Access to Healthcare Facilities
As your senior ages further, they might need 24-hour nursing care. Assisted living facilities offer quality healthcare on-site, using an aging well model that looks at physical, mental, and overall well-being which is accessible to your loved one without ever stepping foot outside. In addition to the care your loved one is already receiving, on-site healthcare access complements, and offers thorough, comprehensive attention to their unique medical needs.
Home, Away from Home
Your loved one’s assisted living community should be nurturing and peaceful thus looking and feeling like home. They should be comfortable and calming while providing access to outdoor settings, communal areas, and more. Your loved one may even have access to many of the same luxuries and amenities they’d experience living at home, including chapel services, business center, beauty salon, and more.
Independence and Fun
While advanced personal care is available in assisted living, your loved one doesn’t necessarily need to use these services if they don’t need them. Assisted living allows your loved one to live freely but also access amenities and services that make life easier and safer. Maintaining a large home may be a burden at their age especially if they are struggling to do activities like heavy cleaning, cooking, shoveling snow, maintaining the yard etc. or they’ve become a health hazard. They may need additional services in the future which will be available in an assisted living community, should they need them later. Hence they will live independently with physical and mental freedom in a caring, and uplifting community.
Family Benefits of Assisted Living
Peace of Mind
The family has the benefit of peace of mind as they are assured that their loved one is in a safe space and in a comfortable environment. Whether or not the senior lives with them full-time, senior living situations can be stressful for any family. When a senior moves into assisted living, the other family members can rest assured that their loved one is safe in a supportive environment, socializing, eating well, and receiving the care they need. According to studies, the stress that family caregivers experience can take as many as 10 years off their life. They may experience bouts of depression, health complications, poor eating habits, or financial strain. They can enjoy life instead of worrying 24/7 about their loved one’s care, revelling in the knowledge that they are happy, healthy, and safe. You’ll rest easy knowing your loved one is well cared for and comfortable in a community where staff and residents are there for them and their needs. Even your loved one enjoys the same peace of mind.
Safety and Security
As a caregiver, one of your top priorities for your loved one is safety. When driving and cooking alone at home becomes unsafe for them, it’s time to consider assisted living facilities. The culture of safety at assisted living facilities is transparent from their staff-to-patient ratio, compliance with procedures, training, and skills, to a community design that prevents falls, emergency preparedness plans, secure access, and more. Moreover, apartments also include safety features to alert for immediate help if needed, plus more responsive care and monitoring, especially for memory care residents.