For older adults who wish to maintain their independence and live in their homes, assisted living offers a range of personalized services tailored to each resident.
Seniors leaving nursing homes or need a temporary place to live before transitioning into skilled nursing facilities can find assisted living communities in their area using our community locator tool. To find and tour qualified assisted living communities near you, use the tool provided.
Peace of Mind
Assisted living offers seniors the security and assurance they need to thrive. In a secure community, their needs will be taken care of and their loved ones can enjoy happiness and security in an atmosphere where everyone feels taken care of.
Peaceful meditation not only prevents anxiety, fear and stress from interfering with health and wellbeing but it also awakens inner strength and confidence to tackle life’s obstacles with courage and resiliency.
Meditation, yoga, affirmations or mindfulness can bring about peace of mind and improve mental and emotional health. While this skill may take some practice to master, the rewards are worth all the effort put into it.
Assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
Many adults rely on ADLs (activities of daily living) to maintain an independent lifestyle. This includes tasks like bathing, eating, toiletrying, dressing and other self-care tasks.
In some instances, aging and health conditions can make these tasks more challenging to accomplish. These may include injuries or illnesses that affect mobility or other functions such as dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.
When a loved one becomes incapable of performing ADLs or IADLs, families often seek assistance from a doctor or occupational therapist. These professionals conduct a more detailed assessment than what can be provided through free online tools.
Families can assess how much assistance is necessary by using various assessments such as the Lawton-Brody Instrumental Activities of Daily Living scale and Katz Index of Independence in Activities of Daily Living. With these measurements, families are able to decide how much support is necessary.
Transportation
Seniors require transportation services, whether it’s to and from medical appointments or running errands. That is why many assisted living facilities offer this service to their residents.
Assisted living communities often have a van or small bus available for staff to transport residents. This may include scheduled trips or private rides to shopping centers and other local destinations.
Ride-hailing services such as Uber and Lyft have become increasingly popular for senior transportation needs. Although these require some technological know-how, companies are making it simpler for older clients to use them by adding accessibility features and service options.
Finally, many assisted living communities provide volunteer transportation programs. These may be run by religious groups or charitable organizations and the services may be free of charge or require a small donation.
Meal Preparation
Assisted living facilities offer a range of meal preparation services to ensure residents enjoy nutritious, balanced meals. Some even provide A la carte menus so residents can order meals on their own at their leisure.
Offering seniors nutritious, tasty and varied dining options is now more essential than ever before. Today’s seniors are eating more natural foods, organic products and less processed food – which means providing them with healthier alternatives than ever before.
Assisted living facilities can accommodate this demand by offering special diets or dietary options to accommodate each resident’s individual requirements. In many communities, residents enjoy buffet-style meals or festive dinners on birthdays and holidays.
Socialization
Socialization is essential for all aging adults, but especially so for those living alone. Isolation can have a devastating effect on mental health, increasing the likelihood of depression and diminishing cognitive function.
Thankfully, assisted living facilities offer seniors numerous chances to form new connections and meet new people. They host activities and events that encourage interaction among peers, such as restaurant-style dining or interest-based clubs.
Studies have demonstrated that socialization can benefit senior health and well-being. It may reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases, improve nutrition, and sharpen cognitive function.