Understanding the Benefits of Assisted Living Facilities
Did you know emergency departments recorded three million visits for older adult falls? While falls aren't necessarily fatal, they can cause injuries and are often hard to recover from.
Perhaps your senior loved one has suffered a fall recently. Or maybe you -- and they -- have other concerns about them living without assistance. Because of this, you and your loved one are considering senior care.
However, you're still having doubts. Understanding the benefits of assisted living is vital. It'll help you overcome the hesitance of leaving your loved ones in someone else's care.
You and your family deserve to feel secure in your decision. Below are a few advantages of choosing an assisted living community.
You Get Peace of Mind
Many define peace of mind as safety and protection. You and your senior loved one may think it's more of a feeling secure in one's home. But what happens when someone loses that sense of security?
Slips and falls are common and potentially devastating. This is especially true for older people with certain conditions like diabetes, heart disease, failing eyesight, and faltering reflexes.
You can slip-proof a shower relatively cheaply. But what about the kitchen or driveway in winter? When does safety-proofing an entire home become too untenable?
Senior safety is more easily accessible when handled by an assisted living community. Here's what you can expect from an assisted living community:
- Safely designed bathrooms
- Walk-in showers
- Grab bars
- Raised toilets
- Accessible layouts
- Ramps, flat thresholds, and hallway handrails to aid with mobility
- On call staff
- Can be summoned with emergency call buttons in case of falls
- Mitigates concerns about calling for help after emergencies
Senior Care Helps Prevent Isolation
Social isolation and loneliness affect a quarter of older people. Ageism and grief also negatively impact your aging parent's mental health.
Another perk of assisted living is that people can live amongst friendly and supportive staff and community members. Senior socialization goes a long way toward eliminating mental health issues like loneliness and isolation.
Addington Place of Burlington residents can make new friends, join community activities, or join fitness courses. Moving to assisted living earlier can help people stave off loneliness.
Loved Ones Have More Free Time
Homeownership is time-consuming and tedious. Lawn work, repair work, and general housework -- such as vacuuming and window cleaning -- take time and can be annoying.
Seniors often don't want to waste time doing all this, even if they're physically capable. Our Burlington, Iowa, community offers housekeeping and modern amenities to make life comfortable and hassle-free.
They've got time to socialize with friends, catch up with family or hobbies, travel, or watch their favorite shows. Moving to assisted living offers senior stimulation and socialization without the added irritation of home care.
There Is a Focus on Independence
Understanding the benefits of assisted living means comprehending what this form of senior care is. It's not just about having someone to help with your loved one's health and emergencies.
Assisted living is residential care for older adults. It focuses on senior safety, socialization, and maintaining a vibrant, complication-free lifestyle. The residents have help, but they are still largely independent.
Staff on standby allow senior residents to live without concern because there is always someone to help. Their homes and the community are outfitted to accommodate them while allowing them to live by themselves.
Seniors Receive Quality Care
Assisted living does allow seniors to live alone. Assisted living offers resident-focused, individualized care.
Community members can cook for themselves in their kitchenettes or access our quality delivered meals. You can also expect assistance with bathing and dressing.
Addington Place of Burlington, in particular, has memory care to promote cognitive stimulation. Our trained staff can help those with Alzheimer's or dementia.
Residents can also receive Medication management. Medication management helps residents get the most out of their medicine with little harm or risk.
There Is Readily Available Transport
The United States is unsuited for other means of transport besides driving. Unfortunately, driving becomes more difficult once we become older.
Luckily, assisted living communities like ours offer reliable transportation. Drivers ferry residents to and from local events, dining, shopping, and doctor's appointments.
Your family member won't be stuck in our community all day. They can trust our drivers to ferry them safely. Moving into assisted living helps those who can't drive and have no other means of travel get around.
It's a Future Investment
The greatest takeaway to have when learning the benefits of assisted living is you're investing in your senior loved one's future. They receive constant professional aid and access to senior care technology.
Community staff can regularly evaluate health care plans and detect medical issues among the residents. Your loved one is also investing in a home that requires less upkeep and maintenance.
They can lead healthier, more social, and fulfilling lives. Senior family members can also avoid mental and physical health issues later if they invest in assisted living quickly.
There Is Increased Security
Senior care is hard when a loved one lives alone. Their homes may have cameras, but creating and updating security measures is tough if you're not always around.
It's doubly difficult to react in an emergency if you're at work or otherwise busy. An assisted living home will have security guards and alarm systems to stop break-ins.
Staff can coordinate emergency plans in case of inclement weather or fires. They'll organize residents and ensure they're all accounted for. Staff members will also check and install smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
Begin Understanding the Benefits of Assisted Living
Understanding the benefits of assisted living helps you make the right decision to accommodate your loved ones in their golden years. Learn the perks, and you'll know if an assisted living community is the right choice.
Addington Place of Burlington delivers quality senior care, like medication management and memory care from trained professionals. We offer community activities and supportive services, like bathing and dressing.
Our assisted living community also provides safe and reliable transport. Addington Place strives to make life comfortable and convenient for your aging parent. Contact us if you have questions or to book a tour.