Seniors experiencing difficulty living independently can benefit from living at an assisted living residence, where staff will monitor residents, call doctors when necessary and offer medication assistance services.
They do not provide intensive hands-on care like nurses would at a nursing home; a daily base fee covers housing, meals, housekeeping services, transportation to grocery stores or doctor appointments and more.
Health Care
Most assisted living communities provide case management, which involves coordinating health care services from outside providers as well as personal care for residents. Individualized service plans are developed to address each resident’s medical, nutritional, rehabilitation and cognitive needs; many facilities also feature nurses for emergency or non-emergency assistance.
Assume that transitioning to assisted living can be an emotionally upheaval for your loved one and be sure to reassure them of this by visiting or calling regularly and helping personalize their new living space with meaningful objects.
Meals
Many assisted living facilities offer three meals daily served in a group dining area, with residents having their choice from various menu items like chef salad, baked potato with cold slaw, pasta with grilled chicken or fish, pizza, crepes or BLT sandwiches. Residents also have the option of dining in their room should they prefer.
Dining options at senior facilities are tailored to each resident’s dietary habits and personal preferences, providing options such as meat, vegetarian meals, vegan options, gluten-free dishes and kosher meals. Purchase arrangements can help keep costs down while providing nutritious menus. Many senior facilities also arrange purchases with local farms and producers who can supply ingredients at reduced costs; special events and themed food days keep things interesting!
Activities
Assisted living facilities understand that an engaging social life is crucial to their residents’ well-being. Therefore, many offer various engaging activities designed to keep residents busy and provide them with a sense of community involvement and health benefits. These activities promote health benefits as well as cognitive performance enhancement and provide them with a sense of purpose and belonging.
Crafting projects like woodworking offer seniors an engaging way to hone their dexterity while recalling childhood memories. Music therapy, on the other hand, has proven both relaxing and stimulating activities for senior adults.
Gardening provides both physical and mental exercise that many residents enjoy, in addition to providing fresh air and healthy produce which provides essential vitamins and minerals. Swimming provides another cardiovascular workout which relieves stress while simultaneously keeping residents limber; residents may even join a friendly singing competition!
Transportation
Many senior living communities provide transportation as part of the base rent or have dedicated transportation services for residents. Both services can be expensive – paratransit services (such as equipped buses or cabs for wheelchair users or seniors) can cost twice what public transit charges.
Ride-hailing apps and volunteer driver programs offer senior transportation as other alternatives for private non-emergency transportation needs. Ride-hailing apps often allow riders to share rides together to reduce costs per journey.
Local governments and nonprofits may provide free or low-cost transportation options for seniors and disabled people in your county. You can search online to locate potential providers. Some also organize group trips such as grocery store shopping trips and social gatherings that will help ensure your loved one remains engaged with his or her community.
Respite
Respite care gives caregivers, usually family and friends, a break from the exhausting responsibility of caring for someone with health issues who is dependent on others. Respite can be provided for several hours, days or even weeks at a time through adult day care centers, home care agencies and nursing or assisted living facilities.
Be sure to ask prospective respite care providers numerous questions before selecting one for your loved one. Be certain you feel confident in their training, experience and ability to create a safe environment for them, as well as what services will be provided and the costs involved. Also ensure you check on their pill policy ahead of time if bringing any medications with them.