As parents and other elderly relatives age, their loved ones may be wondering if a senior assisted living facility may be the best choice for them. The answer, almost overwhelmingly, is yes.
The old stereotype of an “old-folks’ home,” in which some residents may be seen as bed-ridden, neglected by their family members, and uncared for by facility staff, has fallen by the wayside, and with good reason. Assisted living facilities are a low-cost, full-time care option for those who need it, and even if the elderly couple or resident doesn’t need that much care yet, these facilities are still an excellent option and are increasing in demand and popularity.
Dementia And Declining Mental Health
It happens to nearly everyone – sometimes someone will forget where they put their car keys, or they may leave the house to go somewhere to pick something up and then forget why they went. When this happens with an elderly relative, though, it can be concerning for the rest of the family. It’s one thing to misplace car or house keys – but finding them in unexpected places, like in the refrigerator, in a bathroom cabinet, or other unusual spots can be worrying.
Assisted living facilities have everything their residents need right on the campus and in the facility, so no one needs to worry if Mom or Dad are out driving or if they haven’t taken their medication. The staff help dispense medication and help with scheduling activities, so those who may suffer from early stages of dementia or Alzheimer’s may get some much-needed mental stimulation as well as a helping hand with medication.
Physical Decline
As people age, they tend to lose flexibility and may experience some muscle loss. The rest of the family may worry about their elderly relative suffering from a fall from a wet floor or in a freshly-mopped kitchen, or they may worry about their insistence on climbing ladders while in closets or doing housework.
Once the elderly relative is placed in an assisted living facility, this worry stops. Assisted living facilities are staffed with people who take care of yard work, cleaning, changing light bulbs, and other minor daily necessities so there won’t be worries about slips and falls. If a resident needs a little help walking or moving, there are staff members who can help with this as well.
Nutrition And Medication
If an elderly relative isn’t eating properly, this can worry some family members. When they move into an assisted living facility, that worry disappears. Assisted living facilities and communities have licensed nutritionists and chefs on staff, and these people help with medicine, meals, and can even help plan parties for special occasions such as Thanksgiving and birthdays. The family can rest assured in the knowledge that their elderly relative will be well taken care of when they live in an assisted living facility or community.
Many facilities also plan day trips, have activities for their residents, and keep in close contact with other family members.
Wondering who lives in an assisted living and whether it is right for your elderly loved one? All seniors can benefit from the care and companionship that they get in an assisted living facility. Schedule an appointment to see if assisted living is the right fit for you or your elderly relative.
