If you're looking for senior living solutions, you're not alone. By 2040, there will be an estimated 80 million US residents over the age of 65. What care options are available to assist our shifting population?
Assisted living centers are just one of many solutions for senior care. Assisted living provides greater independence than nursing homes while providing more support than at-home care.
What are the key services provided at assisted living centers? How do you know if an assisted living center is the right care option for you or a family member?
Read on for a thorough overview of assisted living center services.
A recent survey confirmed that more than three-quarters of adults over the age of 50 want to age at home. While circumstances may change over time, aging at home is often a workable solution for many years.
To make aging at home a safer and more functional option, many seniors receive help from family members.
Respite care is designed to give family members a scheduled break, whether to rest, travel, or take care of other obligations. Seniors can live in temporary assisted living housing and receive many of the services long-term residents enjoy.
Respite care is temporary. You and your family may need to assess the benefits of respite vs. long-term personal care every few years.
Personal care refers to the basic suite of services residents can expect to enjoy in assisted living. Personal care begins with a unique care plan. Your care plan will take into account your specific needs.
For example, many assisted living residents receive help with activities of daily living (ADLs). These include things like:
These tasks are crucial for your overall well-being. However, physical and cognitive limitations can make them difficult to complete. Trained staff members are here to assist with your ADLs in a way that fosters dignity and independence.
Unlike nursing homes, assisted living communities don't often provide round-the-clock or complex medical care. However, staff members can play instrumental roles in your physical well-being.
A key example is medication management. Many seniors must take multiple medications daily, often at specific times or in a set order.
Staff members can assist with your medication schedule. Having a second set of eyes can make it easier to manage beneficial and even life-saving healthcare.
Residents can also request additional medical monitoring as needed. For example, many assisted living residents participate in morning check-in programs. Staff members can also note any visible changes in health and help residents schedule their healthcare accordingly.
Many seniors who don't yet need assistance with ADLs or medication management still enjoy senior living communities. In addition to practical services, great communities organize social and recreational activities for residents to enjoy.
This can include on-site activities, like themed dinners and game nights. It can also include scheduled outings to enjoy concerts, plays, and other events in the wider community.
These activities add novelty and excitement to the day-to-day lives of residents. They also create opportunities to socialize, which research shows can support mental health and cognitive functioning.
What if residents need hands-on or complex medical care that staff members can't provide? What if residents who no longer drive or own a car want to run errands or schedule outings?
Many senior living communities offer scheduled transportation assistance. This allows residents to get around as needed without the help of nearby friends or family members.
Some communities limit transportation assistance for medical care purposes. Others provide more flexibility, though seniors may need to schedule their rides in advance. Ask about transportation assistance during your tour to make sure a community can accommodate your needs.
Maintaining physical fitness can improve health outcomes as we age. Continuing to exercise can help with the following:
At the same time, physical fitness routines should shift to reflect current abilities and goals. At many assisted living centers, residents can enjoy on-site fitness facilities and fitness programs.
Attending fitness classes is a great way to stay committed to your health. Instructors can ensure that you're setting and reaching goals and exercising safely.
When seniors describe their reasoning for wanting to age at home, they usually list things like familiarity and independence. Rarely do we talk to seniors who want to be responsible for things like housekeeping and maintenance for the rest of their lives!
Assisted living centers provide the best of both worlds. You still have your own living quarters, which you can furnish and decorate with your own personal belongings. However, you don't have to worry about housekeeping and maintenance.
Many communities offer optional housekeeping and laundry services. For all residents, 24-hour emergency maintenance should be a phone call away.
Memory care is a common service offered by assisted living communities and is a higher tier of care designed for residents with Alzheimer's and other types of dementia.
Memory care combines increased safety, security measures, and cognitive support.
Specialized treatment can support longer lifespans and better outcomes for dementia patients. Staff members who work with memory care residents receive training in techniques like validation therapy. Memory care residents may also enjoy evidence-based activities like art and music therapy.
As more of the US population reaches retirement age, it's time to start thinking about long-term senior care. These key services provided at assisted living centers can support health, happiness, and a great quality of life.
At Addington Place of Collinsville, our residents are at the center of everything we do. We create unique care plans for each resident and craft our activity calendar around resident preferences. To give back to veterans, we offer a variety of discounts to former members of the military.
Contact us today to learn more about our services, inquire about pricing, or schedule a tour.