If you have an elderly parent, there will come a time when you need to choose how you will continue to care for them: either by yourself, hiring in-home help, or placing them in an assisted living facility. When run properly, assisted living facilities to offer many benefits that can significantly improve residents' quality of life. Here are eight benefits of using an assisted living facility that you should know about before making a final decision:
24/7 Care
Assisted living facilities are staffed at all times of the day and night, so if you need help, someone will be there for you. Assisted living is perfect for elderly adults who have mental or physical problems that might require care in the middle of the night. Some also have safeguards in place to help prevent wandering, which can be a big issue in patients with dementia. Check with the facility to see if they are designed to cater to patients with dementia or not. Assisted living is often more seamless than trying to coordinate two or three nurses for around-the-clock private care, so consider this option if your loved one needs constant monitoring.Help with Daily Tasks
Many adults struggle with tasks as they age, starting with more complex activities such as meal planning and paying bills. Eventually, they may struggle to feed and dress themselves, and solutions such as adaptive clothing only go so far. Staff at assisted living facilities will help them with daily activities that include bathing, eating and more. These assisted living facilities also take care of housekeeping as well as preparing one or more meals a day, taking this burden off your loved one. If your elderly parent is struggling to complete even the most basic tasks independently, then you may want to look into assisted living facilities.Safety and Security
Elderly people are vulnerable to physical dangers such as falls — and cooking for themselves may also pose a hazard. Furthermore, they are often targeted by scammers and hackers, endangering their finances as well. A well-run assisted living facility can remove a lot of these potential dangers and increase safety and security for your elderly parents. Make sure to properly vet their safety measures and emergency preparedness during your tour. If the facility is aboveboard, they should be happy to explain what protocols they have in place to protect residents.Healthier Lifestyle
Many assisted living facilities provide nutritious meals that are catered to the individual's dietary needs. Most of them also offer exercise classes on-site as well to help seniors keep fit and active. Some facilities might also bring in physical therapists or other specialists to work with residents one-on-one to improve balance, flexibility and more. With these services, assisted living facilities make it easy to stay healthy even into old age, with minimal or no effort on the part of your loved one.On-Site Services
For elderly adults, going out to get a haircut, buy nursing home clothing or accomplish another simple errand can be difficult to downright impossible, especially if they can no longer drive or don't have access to a car. Many assisted living facilities will either bring in service providers on-site or arrange outings to take residents to them. This eliminates a lot of hassle for seniors, as well as any difficulties or dangers that arranging their own transportation might pose. For older adults with limited mobility, this can be a huge boost in keeping up their quality of life.Organized Social Events
Many older adults feel lonely and isolated due to their reduced ability to attend social outings. Assisted living facilities help mitigate this by surrounding them with people who are all in the same phase of life as they are. More than that, assisted living facilities also put on regular social events, giving the residents a chance to get to know each other while learning a new hobby. If your elderly parent lives alone and seems depressed or withdrawn, moving them into a facility where they can be around other people can assuage this loneliness and help them forge new friendships, even in their twilight years.More Free Time
By taking care of so many daily tasks, assisted living facilities create a lot of free time for residents. They no longer have to worry about housework or yard work; instead, they can just enjoy themselves and either pursue their own interests or participate in the many activities offered by the facility. Gone are the days of spending hours on cooking, cleaning and running errands. Assisted living facilities will take care of everything, allowing them to truly enjoy their golden years. After all their hard work, they've earned it!Peace of Mind
Moving your elderly parent into an assisted living facility can provide peace of mind for both you and your loved one. You never have to worry about them not having help when they need it, and they don't have to fuss with daily activities and chores. However, in order to get this peace of mind, you do need to carefully vet the assisted living facility before committing to it. Check their ratings, tour each potential facility and ask a whole list of questions. It takes some due diligence upfront, but it's so worth it to know that your loved one is in a facility that will truly take care of them and provide a supportive community.If your elderly loved one has been struggling to cope on their own, then an assisted living facility might help them flourish. From around-the-clock care to planned social events to clothing for nursing home residents, assisted living facilities offer a lot of valuable benefits that many seniors find attractive. Keep these advantages in mind when deciding on the best type of care for your loved one! Categorized into General Health
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