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What does it mean to need assisted living?
National Assisted Living Week, September 8–14, recognizes the role of assisted living in caring for America’s seniors and individuals with disabilities. These communities are essential in providing care and support, significantly aiding seniors and their families. With over 30,600 facilities across the United States, assisted living communities offer housing and services to more than 800,000 older adults and people with disabilities.
Assisted living is designed to provide seniors with varying degrees of help with daily activities, aiming to promote their wellness and independence. Considering an assisted living community for your senior family member offers numerous benefits. Here are six reasons why it’s a worthy option:
1. Safety
Assisted living facilities offer the safety and security of 24-hour support and access to care. Day or night, help is only the push of a button or a phone call away. Assisted living communities are designed for accessibility and increased senior mobility, from medical alert systems to shower grab-bars, wheelchair-accessible ramps, and more. They help seniors avoid falls and accidents and provide immediate access to medical assistance.
2. Healthy Meals
For many seniors, meal preparation becomes more difficult, and as a result, they don’t get proper nutrition. Eating well is the backbone of your overall health. Assisted living gives you the ability to get healthy and delicious food for every meal, along with the convenience of it being available in a communal dining room. Many communities even customize menus based on residents’ tastes, dietary restrictions, and medical conditions. In addition, seniors have the benefit of the company for their meals, which generally helps them eat better.
3. Help When Needed
The benefit of assisted living is that there’s someone there to help when necessary. If needed, staff members help residents perform daily activity tasks such as dressing, bathing, and personal care. They also assist with medications, housekeeping, creating nutrition plans, and planning social activities. Assisted living provides expert help to allow seniors more independence for the activities they enjoy, which in turn offers a better quality of life.
4. Socialization
Assisted living communities offer a schedule of activities for daily entertainment. Socialization is one of the most important aspects of assisted living. People who regularly engage in social activities are generally happier and healthier. In assisted living, seniors can easily socialize with peers, not only in common areas but also through community events and field trips. Residing in an assisted living community means friends are just an apartment away. There is always someone willing to play a game, listen to music, have a conservation, or attend community events daily.
5. Transportation
Assisted living helps remove the worry and stress associated with driving or coordinating transportation. Communities offer transportation to residents’ doctor appointments, scheduled social and cultural activities, shopping, and community events. Assisted living is a game-changer in getting people where they want to go.
6. Wellness and Fitness Programs
Many assisted living communities provide fitness and physical therapy programs to keep seniors active. They offer wellness classes such as yoga, tai chi, and zumba classes that are catered to seniors and specific medical conditions. Staying active in group settings can help seniors keep their bodies engaged in healthy ways. Physical therapy sessions also help to meet the needs of each resident.
Assisted living communities offer a wide variety of services for seniors with many different care needs and personalities. As you embark on this new and important chapter in a senior’s life, Assisted Living Locators is your partner in finding the right senior living option. Find a senior care advisor in your area today.
