What is Assisted Living for Seniors?

Just because your loved ones may need some extra help doesn’t mean that they shouldn’t be able to live their golden years in comfort. While some seniors can age in place, plenty of caregivers help their loved ones move out of their homes and into some form of senior living.

Of course, it’s not always easy to figure out which type of senior living makes the most sense for your family. Want to find out is assisted living is right for your loved ones? Let’s break down what makes assisted living communities different and whether they’re the best fit for your family’s needs.

What is an Assisted Living Facility?

Sometimes seniors need some additional assistance throughout the day to live the lifestyle they want to enjoy. Assisted living facilities are places where your loved ones can receive ongoing support while still maintaining an active lifestyle.

The right environment can make a major difference for your loved ones. Assisted living serves as a sort of midway point between independent living and living with full-time senior care. As such, assisted living allows seniors to get the care they need and give their family members peace of mind, all while helping residents maintain an active, independent lifestyle.

Another major benefit of assisted living facilities is that they offer a variety of features and amenities to support their residents. Some of these services include some common benefits of independent living, such as dining services, shuttles, and group activities. Assisted living residents also benefit from a variety of other services as well. The exact services can vary from one location to another, but some common features include:

• Private and semi-private apartments with kitchenettes
• 24-hour nursing care
• 24-hour emergency monitoring
• Supervision and medication management
• Physical, occupational and speech therapies
• Recreational and social services
• Beauty salon and barber shop service
• Respite care

What is the Difference Between Assisted Living and a Nursing Home?

There are several similarities between assisted living and nursing homes. Both communities are focused on keeping their residents happy, healthy, and safe while they live out their golden years. However, there are some key differences between these two forms of senior living.

While nursing homes and assisted living communities both provide personal care benefits for seniors, nursing homes are meant for elderly parents or other aging loved ones who need skilled nursing or some other form of daily health care. Simply put, nursing homes will provide around-the-clock care to address serious health conditions if your loved ones need it, such as memory care.

How to Tell if Assisted Living is Right for My Loved Ones

It’s not always obvious which type of senior living makes the most sense at first, but you can look for a variety of signs that may help you understand what housing situation is best for you and your loved ones. Here are a few factors that may indicate that assisted living is the right option for your family.

They need help completing activities of daily living (ADLs)

If life is getting harder at home, there’s a good chance your loved ones need some regular assistance. It’s common for seniors to seek out an assisted living if they struggle with the following daily activities:

• Walking
• Dressing
• Eating
• Bathing
• Using the bathroom
• Getting in and out of bed

It’s not always easy to be there every day for your loved ones – in fact, it’s sometimes impossible to provide the necessary amount of daily care. Assisted living facilities can give your parents or other aging adults the help they need to make daily living less of a hardship for you and your loved ones.

They struggle with home upkeep and maintenance

Living at home comes with a lot of responsibilities. If the thought of handling daily chores or taking care of the house stresses out your loved one, it’s probably time to rethink their living situation. Moving into assisted living means that you and your family don’t need to handle everything from vacuuming the house to fixing the plumbing.

They don’t have opportunities for socialization

Living at home can be an isolating experience, especially if your loved one isn’t very mobile or likely to leave the house. Assisted living helps seniors develop relationships with both the residents and the people working at the facility thanks to group activities, social events, and simply being in close proximity with others. As such, you may want to consider assisted living if your loved one seems bored or lonely and could benefit from meeting people.

They aren’t eating well

Proper nutrition is important no matter how old you are. The problem is that some seniors aren’t able to go to the grocery store or struggle with cooking for themselves. Assisted living facilities prepare daily meals with weekly menus to make sure seniors get the nutrition they need.

They still want to maintain some form of independence

While your loved one might need some assistance that they can’t get in their original home, that doesn’t mean that they should feel trapped. Assisted living gives your aging parents or other family members daily support, but it also gives them the means to remain independent. Between transportation services, different recreational activities, and more, assisted living helps your family balance regular care and a sense of freedom.

Find the Right Senior Living Community for Your Loved Ones

They say home is where the heart is, and it’s especially important to find the right place for your loved ones as they get older. Of course, there are plenty of senior living options out there, but only some of them are right for the seniors in your life.

When it’s time to find the right senior living option for your parents or other aging adults, it’s time to talk to experts who care. National Church Residences is committed to providing quality and affordable senior housing to help your loved ones settle into a new home. Find out which senior living options are in your area or give us a call at 844-465-6063 to talk to one of our friendly staff members today.