Assisted living is an affordable and flexible senior care option allowing older adults to live independently while receiving help in the areas they need most.
Choosing a suitable facility is a big decision for everyone involved. This guide will help you understand the critical aspects of assisted living and how it can benefit your loved one.
What Is Assisted Living?
Assisted living is a type of senior care that provides help with daily activities such as eating, bathing and toileting. Its key benefit is that seniors can remain independent and surrounded by peers in a home-like environment in Tallahassee while still getting round-the-clock care and support.
Choosing an assisted living community or facility for your loved one requires research and careful attention to detail. It is essential to choose one that fits their needs and is located in a safe, clean, friendly neighborhood.
Many Assisted living in Tallahassee offer transportation services to doctors’ appointments, grocery stores and other essential errands. These transportation options can alleviate great stress for your loved one and their family members.
Assisted living communities also provide on-site health and wellness resources, such as fitness classes and exercise groups. They also have on-call nursing services, nurses, and staff members trained to evaluate health changes and respond to emergencies.
What Are the Benefits of Assisted Living?
Assisted living offers many benefits to seniors and their families. These include help with activities of daily living (ADLs), safety, hassle-free transportation and a healthy social environment.
Managing daily life, including cleaning, cooking and maintaining the home, can be time-consuming for older adults struggling with health conditions or physical limitations. Moving to an assisted living community removes these responsibilities from family members and allows the seniors to focus on their hobbies and interests instead.
Aside from helping with ADLs, caregivers and nurses can assist with other tasks like medication management and escorting residents to meals, activities and appointments. Having these services available around the clock means seniors don’t have to worry about being alone or mismanaged at home.
Another benefit of moving into an assisted living community is building new relationships and connecting with other residents, staff, and volunteers. This is especially helpful for those prone to loneliness or anxiety and who have lost contact with friends and family.
How Can Assisted Living Help My Loved One?
Moving to an assisted living facility is often a significant life change for seniors. While it may be stressful for both the resident and family members, there are ways that the transition can be made more accessible and less emotional for everyone involved.
One way to help a loved one with their adjustment is to encourage them to bring the things that will make their new home feel like home. This can include heirlooms, photographs, furniture, and other meaningful possessions.
Another way to support a loved one during this transition is to regularly keep in touch with them. Schedule routine calls or video chats to check with them and see how they’re doing.
Lastly, ensure your loved one continues to be active and involved with their community outside the assisted living facility. This will help them maintain their mental and physical health. It will also allow them to keep up with friends and the hobbies they’ve developed.
How Can Assisted Living Help Me?
Assisted living is an excellent option for seniors and their families. It can help your loved one maintain a high quality of life while assisting with daily tasks such as bathing, eating and toileting.
It also offers social interaction with people their age, so they can continue to make new friends and have a sense of purpose in their lives. It can also help your aging parent stay active and alert, keeping them healthy and happy.
If you are planning to move your aging parent to an assisted living community, you must start the process early and carefully evaluate the facilities. This will help your aging parent feel comfortable and prepared for their transition.
In addition, you can help your aging parent get settled in and make the transition as smooth as possible by taking advantage of the many resources available to you. For example, if you meet eligibility criteria, Medicaid will cover some of the cost of an assisted living residence.