After many years of working and caring for others, your loved one deserves a happy and comfortable retirement.
Assisted living facilities offer the following benefits:
- The support that’s necessary for seniors.
- A safe place to call home.
- Opportunities to live a busy and productive life.
- Social activities.
Consider the six reasons below of why assisted living facilities near you can significantly benefit your senior loved one:
Boredom Gone
Seniors can have a lot of free time after retirement… too much sometimes. Too much free time can lead to boredom and depression.
Alternatively, it could also lead to exploring new hobbies and passions. Most assisted living facilities provide residents with activities and opportunities suitable for any taste. Here are just some examples:
- Book clubs: These are great for helping foster discussion between friends.
- Games: Poker and card tournaments are great outlets for seniors who love a bit of competition.
- Music: There may be opportunities to learn new instruments and do arts and crafts. These kinds of activities are perfect for seniors because they teach new skills and foster creativity.
- Communal gardens: These places provide the perfect excuse for seniors to spend more time outside and not stay cooped up inside too much.
- Movie nights: These can help seniors relive their earlier years with family and friends. All the traditional favorites such as popcorn and snacks are already included!
24/7 Help and Assistance
A big part of assisted living is assistance with ADLs (activities of daily living). ADLs can range from just helping getting dressed to daily incontinence care.
And even if your loved one arrives as an independent adult but later requires more care as they get older, then that can be quickly arranged on-site.
Here are some of the health benefits that are offered in assisted living:
- Nurses and trained staff are on call to respond to any emergencies.
- Help with managing medications and prescriptions.
- Transportation to doctor appointments.
- Caregiving will be provided, such as assistance with bathing, leading residents to their dining area, and to other activities.
Mental Stimulation
Physical exercise is important, but mental stimulation is not something that should be overlooked. Mental stimulation can stave off the risk of cognitive decline over the long term. Thankfully, assisted living facilities provide wonderful opportunities for lifetime learning.
Assisted living communities may offer residents the following:
- “Brain training” resources.
- Lending libraries
- Personal tablets may also be available.
- Guest lectures and local professors who discuss contemporary topics.
- Woodworking shops
- Computer rooms might be available.
- Language lessons
- The further development of technical skills thanks to the helpful staff.
- Brain games that are made to stave off cognitive decline.
A Safe and Secure Environment for Seniors
Ensuring the health and safety of seniors is a top priority for assisted living facilities.
Here are some of the most common dangers seniors face that can be prevented or dealt with in assisted living.
- Falling
It might surprise you to learn that falling is the number one cause of both fatal and nonfatal injuries in people age 65 and up – according to the CDC. That is one of the main reasons why assisted living facilities are created with mobility and accessibility in mind. Inside an assisted living facility, you’ll find plenty of ramps, hand railings, flat thresholds, raised toilets, walk-in showers, and bathroom grab bars. All of these things significantly reduce the chances of falling.
- Security
Unfortunately, elderly folks are often the most common victims of scams and burglaries. To help keep seniors safe, assisted living facilities utilize alarm systems and employ the services of security companies.
- Disasters
There are many responsibilities for an older person to handle to protect themselves from possible disasters—duties such as replacing fire extinguishers, installing carbon monoxide alarms, and checking the smoke detectors. Especially during natural disasters (tornadoes, earthquakes, fires, etc.), when someone is alone, they have to take care of themselves independently. On the other hand, assisted living communities have disaster plans in place to help residents and staff in the event of any emergencies.
- Medical Emergencies
There are emergency buttons in assisted living communities ready to be pushed to inform staff of any problems, including falls and injuries. This means that seniors don’t have to worry about being able to get help if they suffer an injury or medical event.
Can Help Relieve Loneliness
According to research from the University of Chicago, loneliness may lead to early mortality, depression, and high blood pressure among seniors. Even if your senior loved one is in good health, loneliness resulting from aging alone can be emotionally harmful.
However, if older adults can socialize with friends and peers, they’re less likely to feel lonely.
The assisted living facilities near you are perfect for every personality type. Whether they’re the type to enjoy a raucous evening with the lads or prefers a quiet night of playing cards, there are always like-minded people around to socialize with.
A Healthier Lifestyle is a Side Effect of Assisted Living
In assisted living, a healthier lifestyle goes with it almost automatically. This is incredibly important for older people who have more personal nutrition and fitness requirements. When aging at home, though, the responsibility of preparing adequate meals and organizing trips to physical therapy or fitness classes falls onto the senior (or their family members).
In terms of healthier living, here’s what you can expect at most assisted living facilities:
- Flavorful and nutritious food options.
There are dietitian-approved diets for everyone, including those who have diabetes, are at risk of high cholesterol, and more—no more guesswork on cooking healthy meals or stressing about preparing specialized meals.
- Exercise classes on-site!
These classes provide plenty of variety and opportunities for improving fitness. These supervised programs are made for seniors and designed with safety in mind. The benefits of physical activity for seniors are numerous, including healthier aging, improved cognitive functioning, and an outlet for socialization.