With what may seem like so many different options available for senior living today, you may be confused about what you should do to provide the best possible ongoing care for your loved one. All senior living communities provide various levels of care, and you need to spend some time researching what care level best suits your loved one.
From skilled nursing facilities with a high level of care to retirement communities that offer independent living, knowing some assisted living facts will help ease your mind that you’re choosing the best option for your aging family member.
A Few Assisted Living Facts
Assisted living offers numerous benefits to aging adults. One of the biggest benefits of assisted living is the professional staff that becomes involved in all aspects of your aging loved one’s health. The staff plays a large role in making sure your loved one is maintaining the best quality of life possible, while giving you the peace of mind that should an accident occur, help is available around the clock.
If you’re concerned about choosing the correct senior living option, here are some of the things you might not know about today’s assisted living facilities:
- They aren’t boring. Assisted living communities today aren’t the bland, sterilized nursing homes that might come to your mind when you hear the term. They are decorated beautifully, giving off a very “homey” feel as soon as you step through the doors. They come in all shapes and sizes, too- from towering, urban apartment buildings to an intimate, cottage-like building. You can choose the type of community that feels similar to your loved one’s previous home, or wherever he or she will feel most comfortable. Visit communities with your loved one before making any final decisions.
- They know the importance of socialization. You or your loved one might be worried about meeting people and making new friends in their new home, but assisted living facilities are highly aware of how important it is for seniors to interact with each other. Research has shown that staying socially connected helps aging adults maintain cognitive function and lowers the risk of depression. The community will make sure your loved one is engaging in social activities as much as possible.
- Many facilities are pet-friendly. If your loved one has hesitated making the move to an assisted living facility because they can’t bear to part with a furry friend, check into communities that are pet friendly. More and more facilities these days, American Senior Communities included, are offering the option to bring along a pet.
- They offer more than just bingo. Not every senior is into playing bingo these days, and assisted living communities are well aware of this fact. That’s why so many different events and activities are planned monthly to keep seniors engaged and entertained. Everything from movie nights to book clubs and scheduled outings are commonly offered.
- They make living easier. Your loved one may think that they’ll be leaving behind all the comforts of home, but when home involves maintaining a yard and a large amount of housework, they’ll soon realize how much easier leaving all that work to the staff can be!
Remember to talk to your loved one and discuss the needs most important to him or her before starting your research. Knowing what type of community they are interested in and how much assistance you know they’ll need will help move you in the right direction.
For more information about American Senior Communities, please visit www.asccare.com.
