What Are the Benefits of Assisted Care Living?
Like a good many older Americans, you may be at a juncture in your life at which you are considering moving into an assisted care community. In the alternative, you may be the adult child of a parent who is considering such a transition. In that regard, you may also have begun the process of researching the ins and outs of these types of facilities. In order to make a reasoned, thoughtful decision about moving to an assisted living community, you need to have a general understanding of the benefits of assisted care living. There are nine key benefits associated with assisted care living:
- Personalized care
- Security and safety
- Hands-on assistance
- Social enrichment and activities
- Retain independence
- Homelike setting
- Free time
- Good nutrition
- Medication management
- Peace of mind for family
Personalized Care
At the heart of the benefits associated with assisted living is personalized care. A well-managed assisted living community develops a care plan unique to the specific needs, goals, and objectives of an individual resident. During the community admissions process, a personalized care plan initially is developed. The plan is reviewed and revised as time progresses to ensure that the essential needs are being met for a resident.
Security and Safety
Older Americans are a somewhat more vulnerably population, including even those who are able to manage many aspects of daily living. One of the significant benefits of assisted care living is around the clock security and safety. This provides not only protection for a resident but peace of mind for a resident’s family members. (Family peace of mind is discussed in greater detail in a moment.) An assisted living community has staff available 24 hours a day.
Hands-On Assistance
An assisted living community also provides residents with hands-on assistance as needed. This can include such things as help with dressing, laundry, housekeeping, bathing, and so forth. Again, the supportive services provided are designed around the specific needs of an assisted living resident.
Social Enrichment and Activities
Socialization is among the most important benefits of life in an assisted living community. Social enrichment occurs informally with residents getting to know one another directly. It also involves activities of different types that allows residents the opportunity to socialize and interact in a positive environment.
Retain Independence
Life in an assisted living community does not result in a resident losing his or her independence. Yes, a resident is provided assistance with some elements of daily living. However, in many ways, a resident of an assisted living community maintains a good deal of independence.
Homelike Setting
Assisted living communities strive to maintain a homelike look and feel. Smaller assisted living communities particularly are adept at creating idyllic homelike settings. A homelike setting certainly assists during the transition process from living in a person’s home to relocating to an assisted living community. However, it also makes living in an assisted living community more enjoyable into the future as well. Simply put, no matter where a person lives, that individual wants that place to feel like home if at all possible.
Free Time
While there certainly are activities and programming at assisted living communities, a resident’s life is not dominated by going from one thing to another. A resident of an assisted living community has free time. Moreover, because some tasks of daily living are undertaken with the assistance of staff, a resident doesn’t have to spend as much time on them as previously had been the case. This opens up more time during the course of the day for activities an individual actually enjoys.
Good Nutrition
Healthy eating and good nutrition are major benefits of assisted living. Meals are provided at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. In addition, residents can be provided assistance in preparing their own meals, if they so desire. The focus of dining at assisted living facilities is on health eating and good nutrition.
Medication Management
Assisted livings are not designed to provide medical care and assistance to residents. There are other types of living environments that provide this type of assistance for individuals in need of medical care. With that said, assisted living facilities typically do provide assistance with medicine management, with making sure residents stay on top of taking their medications.
Peace of Mind for Family
Oftentimes, adult children of a resident of an assisted living community broached the idea of a mother moving into such a facility initially. Certainly, these children believed such a move was in the best interests of their parent. However, knowing that a parent’s needs are being met in an assisted living community is invaluable when it comes to enhancing the peace of mind of a resident’s children.
Keep in mind that assisted living communities encourage families to visit. There typically are gatherings and activities that are designed to bring other residents with their family members.