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If you, or a loved one, are considering moving to an assisted living community you may be feeling overwhelmed or intimidated by the thought of such a major change in lifestyle. It is, afterall the end of a chapter – saying goodbye to a family home and purging decades worth of personal items and keepsakes. It is also the beginning of a brand new adventure! A new journey filled with so many new opportunities lies just ahead.
What is Assisted Living?
Assisted living communities are designed specifically to cater to the needs of today’s active seniors. These specialized communities provide senior adults with a wide range of services including independent living, assistance with daily activities, memory care, and the reassurance that help is available 24/7 if needed. This ensures that seniors can spend the rest of their lives within the same community, even if their needs change over time.
Assisted living communities also offer various amenities such as housekeeping, laundry services, dining options, fitness classes, day trips, and monthly calendars filled with other opportunities to keep seniors active and engaged with their community members. Residents also have access to assistance with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, grooming, eating, mobility, and continence when needed.
Assisted living communities provide seniors with more than just a place to live. They offer a community experience where seniors can build new relationships and receive care services that enable them to live independently and enjoy their “golden years” to the best of their ability.
What Benefits Do Assisted Living Communities Offer to Seniors?
Senior adults have dedicated an entire lifetime to working and taking care of others. Seniors deserve to retire in a way that promotes both their physical and mental well-being. Assisted living communities provide the perfect combination of social interaction, productive lifestyle, safety, and support for seniors who are still largely independent but may require some daily assistance. With a wide range of amenities such as beauty services, community dining, and fitness centers, seniors can enjoy a lifestyle that is both convenient and fulfilling. Additionally, numerous studies have shown that the various social activities and services available in assisted living communities increase happiness and improve the overall quality of life for senior adults.
Take a look at the benefits an assisted living community can provide to better understand how this move can help seniors enjoy a life filled with good health and happiness.
Say goodbye to boredom!
Once a senior retires they may suddenly find themselves with a lot more time on their hands than they’re used to. Assisted living communities can provide a range of activities to keep residents engaged and entertained. Some of the many options include:
- Movie nights featuring classic films, popcorn, and snacks for a cozy and nostalgic experience.
- Communal gardens for spending time outside and getting their hands in the dirt.
- Art and music classes that foster creativity and help seniors learn new skills.
- Card tournaments and board games that offer friendly competition and socialization.
- Book clubs that encourage discussion and bonding among friends.
Safety is a top priority.
One of the main reasons seniors and their loved ones consider assisted living is safety. Seniors living alone can be risky because it increases the chances of accidents such as falls and other health emergencies without access to immediate assistance. However, in an assisted living community, seniors can get help quickly when they need it. These communities have trained care staff and nurses on hand to provide medical care as needed. This ensures that seniors have access to the care they need when they need it, making assisted living a safer and more secure option for seniors.
Keeps the brain functioning at its best.
Assisted living facilities provide a wide variety of opportunities for mental stimulation. Studies have shown that regular mental stimulation may potentially lower the risk of dementia and cognitive decline in seniors. From libraries to woodworking shops, these facilities offer lifelong learning experiences that keep seniors engaged. Some of the benefits include:
- Dementia prevention: Assisted living communities have access to stimulating resources and brain games that are designed to slow cognitive decline.
- Academic activities: Local guest speakers often visit these communities to speak about popular topics, such as art history or flower arranging. Local schools also often bring children by to perform for seniors or participate in arts and crafts activities with residents.
- Technology assistance: Seniors can access computers and personal tablets, and community staff can help them develop their technical skills.
Healthy, communal dining experiences.
Meeting the unique nutritional needs of elderly adults can be challenging for those living at home alone. The job of preparing healthy, balanced meals often falls to family members, meal delivery services, or the seniors themselves. However, in assisted living communities, residents can expect the following:
- All-inclusive dining: As a benefit of assisted living, residents can enjoy three meals a day plus snacks. These meals are typically served in a restaurant-style dining room or can be delivered to individual apartments if requested.
- Healthy, balanced meals: On-site dieticians and chefs in assisted living communities create meals that support both body and brain health, and incorporate important nutritional intake for seniors.
- Knowledge about special diets: Assisted living chefs are familiar with low-sodium diets, diabetic needs, and diets for people with high cholesterol. Some communities may also offer vegetarian, halal, or kosher options to cater to special dietary requirements.
Keep it moving!
Physical and mental decline can be the result of a lack of exercise. Keeping seniors active is beneficial for not only muscle and bone health, and it can also help decrease the risk of falls. Physical activity also helps older adults maintain good health longer, enhances cognitive function, and provides an excellent social outlet. Assisted living offers opportunities for physical activities, including on-site and convenient classes. Transportation to fitness classes or physical therapy can be challenging, so having everything located within the community makes it much easier for seniors to attend. Additionally, assisted living activity coordinators design activities that cater to every skill level and ability. For instance, a dance class may include more complex moves for more active residents and a chair option for those with lower levels of mobility. Activity coordinators are well-equipped to ensure that seniors exercise safely and are there to provide supervision during classes.
Conclusion
There is so much more to an assisted living community than just a place to live out the rest of your life. At Journey’s Assisted Living, seniors will find plenty of opportunities to make new friends, participate in regular social activities, enjoy communal dining experiences, and so much more!
We offer a warm and inviting residential environment for those who, for whatever reason, should not live alone, but do not require skilled nursing care. Here, residents can live as independently as they wish, with the calm assurance that help is always available, should they require assistance with their activities of daily living. Contact us today to learn more.
