5 Key Benefits of Assisted Living for Seniors
An important consideration for your loved one is their health. Assisted living communities like Grand Oaks offer access to on-site healthcare to support physical and mental well-being.
They also help with tasks that can become difficult and dangerous for seniors living alone, such as cooking, cleaning, and shoveling snow. This removes the burden of these chores from your loved one’s shoulders, reducing their stress levels.
Help With Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
When your loved one struggles with daily activities, it’s time to seek help. Whether you’re looking into long-term care insurance, home care companies, or assisted living, the first thing most services will ask about is your loved one’s ability to perform basic activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs).
ADLs include bathing, grooming, dressing, and using the toilet. IADLs are tasks that help maintain independence and dignity, such as preparing meals, shopping, and maintaining a clean home. Assisted living is ideal for seniors needing help with IADLs but not requiring skilled nursing care. Our free tool helps families find options, advice, and next steps based on their situation.
Socialization
Isolation among seniors is linked to health problems, including depression and poor physical health. In assisted living, your loved one becomes part of a community that offers social activities, fitness classes and wellness programs to keep them connected and engaged.
Scheduled transportation is often available for doctor’s appointments, shopping and other errands. Communities also host cultural events, guest speakers and more to keep seniors busy with fun activities they enjoy.
Assisted living like Grace Ridge Assisted Living is typically paid for by residents who pay privately or through Medicaid long-term care waivers. Medicaid helps with the cost of room and board, but it does not cover personal care services.
Health & Wellness
Assisted living is a form of long-term care that combines housing and health services. It’s for seniors who need help with daily tasks but don’t need around-the-clock medical care.
Residents live in private apartments or rooms and may share common areas with others. These communities provide nutritious meals, social activities and other amenities.
Wellness is a multidimensional concept that encompasses physical, mental and emotional health. It includes healthy habits like eating well, exercising and following spiritual practices.
When it’s time to move into assisted living, the NCAL recommends researching and visiting several facilities before deciding. Make sure to talk with administrators, staff and residents. Also, ask about legal agreements limiting your rights to sue for injury or negligence.
Meal Preparation
In assisted living, residents get healthy meals designed to benefit senior health. Talented chefs prepare meals that are delicious and flavorful, too! Plus, elegant dining rooms encourage mealtime as a social event rather than a daily chore.
Hoarding can block first responders in an emergency, make a house difficult to navigate and pose a fire hazard. It can also cause illness from spoiled food and create an unsanitary living environment.
If you’re considering assisted living for you or a loved one, you should visit several locations and speak with the managers, employees, and residents. Find out the methods for making comments, concerns, and grievances in the community. Take a look at the family council and the resident council as well. These are excellent approaches to assessing a community’s quality.
Transportation
Assisted living could be the answer if your loved one cannot drive, needs help with groceries or has difficulty getting around. Many assisted living communities provide on-site transportation that’s convenient, easy and safe.
Assisted living communities are designed for senior safety and comfort, unlike nursing homes, which are clinical settings. That means safer apartments, a higher staff-to-resident ratio, emergency preparedness plans and more.
Your loved one will also benefit from regular social activity and amenities that support physical health, mental stimulation and wellness, and lasting connections with friends. Using a guided search process, asking lots of questions, and involving your loved one in the decision-making process are the best ways to identify an assisted living community that is a suitable fit.
