Assisted living is an option for seniors who wish to remain independent but require assistance with daily tasks. It provides personalized care and support as well as social and wellness activities.
Residents typically pay a monthly fee for rent, amenities, services and care support. They may also be able to offset costs through retirement income, Social Security benefits or personal funds.
Personal Care
Assisted living facilities offer personal care services to assist senior residents with daily tasks like bathing, eating and dressing. Furthermore, they provide housekeeping, transportation and social programs.
The cost of these services varies by state and is dependent on the level of care a resident requires. On average, they tend to be less expensive than nursing home care.
Aside from the cost of services, it is essential to take into account how much assistance your loved one will require and their level of independence. Once you know the answers to these questions, you can begin your search for an assisted living facility.
Before making your decision, be sure to visit the facility you are considering. Arrange meetings with administrators, staff and residents to get a sense of its environment and quality of care.
Meal Preparation
A meal plan is an integral component of healthy eating habits. It involves selecting recipes that meet nutritional requirements and personal preferences.
Food plays a vital role in an older person’s health and wellbeing. Assisted living facilities often provide meal preparation services to residents who have difficulty cooking for themselves.
These services can take the stress out of meal prep and grocery shopping, helping seniors and caregivers focus on their health goals while still enjoying a delicious meal. These options range from grocery delivery and meal kits to ready-to-heat meals that don’t require cooking.
Housekeeping
Seniors often require assistance with housekeeping tasks, such as vacuuming, tidying up outdoor areas and doing laundry. Additionally, they might require help with meals or medication trays.
Due to these reasons, many assisted living facilities provide housekeeping services. It’s an effective way for elderly residents to keep their space tidy and organized while saving them time and stress.
Assisted living communities typically perform routine cleanings of common areas like bathrooms and kitchens to keep residents and staff healthy while preventing the spread of infection.
Before making a final decision, it’s wise to evaluate an assisted living facility’s housekeeping services. The service company should be able to demonstrate their employees have passed screenings and drug tests, plus perform regular background and vulnerable person checks on them.
Transportation
Senior residents increasingly require transportation to get out of their home, visit the doctor or go on social outings. Access to affordable senior transportation helps keep seniors active and connected to their community.
Many assisted living facilities provide transportation services. This may include scheduled bus trips to shopping areas and medical centers, as well as private rides for errands.
Some facilities also offer ride-sharing apps like Uber or Lyft, which let seniors call a car and have it pick them up wherever they wish. The app displays the distance to the driver as well as their license plate number so seniors can get an idea of the quality of service they’re getting.
Transport staff at assisted living facilities must comply with numerous Medicare standards regarding care delivery and equipment in order to keep residents safe. Otherwise, they could lose thousands in reimbursements from Medicare as well as face fines or liability lawsuits from negligent parties.
Socialization
Assisted living facilities understand the value of socialization and strive to promote it by offering various opportunities for residents to engage with one another. These activities offer seniors an opportunity to make new friends and form lasting connections.
Maintaining an active social life is essential for older adults, particularly those struggling with loneliness and isolation. Not only can this lead to health issues but it may also result in a decline in mental and physical wellbeing.
By integrating socialization into their daily routines, assisted living facilities can help older adults improve their health and extend life expectancies. Studies have demonstrated that socialization can boost self-esteem, slow cognitive decline, reduce stress, promote healthy habits and strengthen immunity.