Over the years, a person’s needs and capabilities change. Physical and mental abilities can adjust, and there may be a point when a senior should no longer live alone. This is when it’s time to consider assisted living—a special type of long-term care designed for seniors.
In assisted living, your loved one lives in an environment tailored to meet their needs. They get assistance with the specific tasks that give them difficulty while enjoying their independence each and every day. From targeted care plans to all kinds of services, amenities, events, and programs, assisted living is a wonderful way to improve a senior loved one’s well-being.
The Basics of Assisted Living
For many seniors, daily activities aren’t always the simplest thing. They may be dealing with joint pain, stiffness, mobility concerns, or any other number of physical impairments that can make it difficult to safely perform certain tasks.
Bathing, grooming, housekeeping—these are all more difficult when a person struggles to comfortably move around. So when you have a senior loved one who wants to stay independent but needs some help with their activities of daily life, what do you do?
If this sounds familiar, it’s time to think about assisted living for your loved one. This is a housing option designed to help older adults remain independent while providing support for the daily activities that give them trouble.
Imagine a careful blend of autonomy and personal care. That’s assisted living; a wonderful way to help a loved one in need.
Who Should Move to Assisted Living?
Assisted living is ideal for any senior struggling with their day-to-day tasks but wants to stay independent where they can. These communities provide support with daily tasks like:
- Bathing and personal hygiene
- Dressing and grooming
- Meal preparation and nutrition
- Medication management
- Housekeeping and laundry
- Mobility and transportation
If your loved one needs help with these tasks, assisted living may be right for them.
Who Qualifies for Assisted Living?
To qualify for assisted living, a person should meet most of the following criteria:
- They must be over the age of 65, though there are often exceptions made depending on the care needed
- They need some help with their daily activities
- They must be physically and cognitively stable
If this sounds like your loved one, they may benefit from a move to assisted living. However, if your loved one is experiencing a long-term medical condition, it may help to seek alternative solutions. While assisted living can sometimes help with minor chronic conditions, they rarely have the equipment, staff, or qualifications necessary to meet the needs of seniors with seniors long-term medical problems.
The Benefits of Assisted Living
Assisted living is a wonderful way to support a loved one in need. When your loved one moves to the community, one of the first actions taken is to create a customized care plan. Their needs, capabilities, mobility, and more are all taken into consideration; this way, the community can design an approach to caregiving that meets your loved one’s needs while encouraging them to remain independent and autonomous where possible.
It’s about much more than caregiving, though. Assisted living comes with plenty of benefits, including:
- Social engagement: With a variety of social events, services, and activities, seniors can build meaningful relationships and stay mentally stimulated pursuing their hobbies and enjoying the activities they love.
- Safety & security: Assisted living communities are designed with safety in mind, featuring emergency response systems and staff available 24/7.
- Health & wellness programs: Regular health screenings, fitness classes, and wellness programs help seniors maintain their physical health.
- Maintenance-free living: Residents can enjoy a hassle-free lifestyle with housekeeping, laundry, and meal services provided.
These communities offer a little something for everyone, all while fostering a loving and supporting environment where your loved one can thrive.
When Is It Time for Assisted Living?
So how can you tell if a loved one needs assisted living? It helps to look out for the signs that they’re struggling in their everyday life. Even if you want to, it can be difficult to constantly support a loved one with every single daily activity; you have your own affairs to manage and take care of!
Try to look out for the following signs:
- Changes in personal hygiene: A noticeable decline in grooming habits, such as unkempt hair, body odor, and wearing the same clothes repeatedly, can indicate that your loved one is struggling with self-care.
- Difficulty with mobility: Increased difficulty in walking, balance issues, or frequent falls can be signs that your loved one is at risk of harming themself.
- Unmanaged household chores: Piles of laundry, dirty dishes, or general disarray in their living space are signs that your loved one is struggling to keep up with daily chores.
- Isolation: A noticeable withdrawal from social activities, friends, and family can indicate that your loved one is feeling lonely or depressed, and may need more community interaction.
- Weight loss or poor nutrition: Unintentional weight loss, or a lack of proper nutrition, could be signs that your loved one is having difficulty preparing meals or is forgetting to eat regularly.
Recognizing these signs early can make a significant difference in improving your loved one’s quality of life. A move to assisted living may be just what they need to maintain their quality of life—without compromising on their independence.
Assisted Living in Clinton
Choosing the right care for your senior loved one is a significant decision. At Meadow View Senior Living in Clinton, we’re proud to promote an environment that encourages well-being, independence, and happiness. Book a tour with our community today to see for yourself!
