Just over 800,000 American seniors reside in assisted living communities.
There’s a general misconception about assisted living that it’s not the best thing for our aging population. This couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, there are countless benefits of assisted living for seniors, all of which contribute to improved physical, emotional, and cognitive health.
In today’s post, we’ll look at some of these advantages of senior living in greater detail. If you’ve got a loved one who is showing signs of slowing down, elderly care solutions can provide them with the type of lifestyle they should have from now on. Read on to learn more about senior living support.
A Maintenance-Free Lifestyle
One of the reasons you might be thinking about senior living is that your loved one isn’t capable of managing their household anymore. The constant chores that come with living alone eventually become cumbersome for everyone.
There’s no shame in admitting that you’re not up for it any longer, even if you’re relatively healthy. When your loved one is dealing with more intensive health issues that require assistance or they’ve developed cognitive problems, living at home isn’t even feasible.
Senior living comes in different degrees of intensity and all of them provide residents with a maintenance-free lifestyle. A retirement home is best for healthy seniors who want to downsize and spend time with their peers.
For seniors with health problems, assisted living is more appropriate. These communities have staff who help residents with bathing, cleaning, dressing, and anything else they might need.
If your loved one is one of the seven million Americans living with Alzheimer’s, memory care is the best option. These services are specialized to help residents deal with their evolving symptoms.
Choosing the right type of senior care will help you experience all of the benefits their services offer.
A More Fulfilling Social Life
When your loved one enters a senior living community, they really do get to experience community. One of the biggest concerns we should have about our aging loved ones in this country is social isolation. It’s something that 34% of people between 50-80 experience.
Senior living communities combat social isolation in numerous ways. First, residents are surrounded by their peers at all times. When they go for lunch or out for a walk, they’ll see other seniors out doing the same.
Communities also give residents every opportunity to meet new friends. A good assisted living community will have an activity calendar full of activities and events to promote socialization between residents.
Improved Health and Wellness
The physical and mental health of residents is always a priority in assisted living. In terms of physical health, seniors should be getting around 150 minutes per week of exercise. Doing so can improve joint and bone health while helping to lower the risks of various illnesses.
Mental health issues are rampant in the American senior community, mainly due to social isolation. Communities are cognizant of this, so therapy is always available to residents who aren’t feeling quite right.
The primary way that communities help boost health and wellness among residents is through activities and programming. Things like yoga and meditation, walking clubs, and concerts are regularly found on the activity calendar.
There are no dull moments in assisted living communities. Every day, residents will find something new to take part in. All activities have the physical, mental, and cognitive health of residents in mind.
In-House Dining
Another aspect of healthy aging is diet. Your loved one needs a balanced diet that is high in fiber, low in sodium, and contains a litany of important nutrients. These include things like vitamin D, vitamin b12, calcium, potassium, antioxidants, and protein.
Some assisted living residents are capable of and enjoy cooking for themselves in their apartments. Others might not have the energy or ability to do so. All residents will have the option of going to an in-house restaurant for every meal.
Good communities offer restaurant-quality meals that account for the dietary needs and restrictions of all residents. The menu will rotate so that your loved one gets to try something new to eat each day.
Amazing Amenities
All great assisted living communities have in-house dining. In terms of other amenities, however, every community is unique. Some communities have workout rooms and spas while others have large gardens and ample outdoor space.
This is one of the reasons it’s so important to assess your loved one’s wants and needs before touring communities. The amenities a specific community offers might be more in line with your loved one’s interest than another community. Choosing the right amenities may have a huge effect on your loved one’s happiness and quality of life.
Safety and Security
Senior living communities should always have the safety and security of their residents in mind. There are varying levels of safety depending on the type of community you choose.
In retirement homes where residents aren’t dealing with health issues, independence is a priority. Security and safety become more important when you’re looking at assisted living. These communities need to ensure the building and grounds are safe to minimize the risk of falling and injury.
It’s even more important when you’re looking at memory care. One of the big risks with dementia patients is wandering. Your community must have attentive staff and safety features to prevent any mishaps.
Peace of Mind for Loved Ones
An under-mentioned perk of senior living communities is peace of mind for family members. When you know your loved one is happy, safe, and healthy, you can rest a bit easier.
Caring for an aging loved one isn’t easy. You have to live your own life, so you may not have the tools and resources to give them the attention they deserve. An assisted living community does, so you can put all of your energy into enjoying your time with them instead of being the caregiver.
Experience the Benefits of Assisted Living for Seniors Yourself
The benefits of assisted living for seniors are endless. We’ve only just touched the tip of the iceberg today, so start looking for the right assisted living community and experience the advantages for yourself.
If you’re in Burlington, Granville Place Assisted Living is the best choice for your loved one. Contact us today to book a tour of our amazing community.
