A Complete Guide to Senior Assisted Living Facilities
Aging should not be a reason for your worries in later years. Although you may find changes in your physical health, it should not stop you from enjoying your life after retirement. We understand that managing meals, fear of falls, medication management, and finding like-minded people are common concerns. This is why we have put together this guide to help you know the essentials of assisted living facilities for seniors. Read on to learn about choosing the right one for your needs to remain happy, safe, and independent in the golden phase of life.
Assisted Living vs. Other Senior Living Facilities
When looking for a senior community, you will notice other types of senior care available. Knowing how assisted living differs from other facilities is essential to make an informed decision.
How Assisted Living Differs from Other Types of Care
Assisted Living vs. Independent Living
Independent living and assisted living have similarities, including apartment privacy and amenities. However, assisted living facilities offer more readily accessible staff to help you.
Assisted Living vs. Skilled Nursing
Assisted living offers more home-like housing options. In comparison, skilled nursing facilities are more clinical and hospital-like to ensure timely medical help.
Assisted Living vs. Memory Care
The latter offers 24-hour care focused on cognitive conditions such as Alzheimer’s or other types of dementia. In contrast, assisted living prioritizes your independence while providing the support you need for health maintenance and managing daily tasks.
Is Assisted Living Right for You?
Assisted living is a great residential option in senior years if you need help with activities of daily living, including cooking meals, bathing, dressing, accessing the bathroom in the middle of the night, managing chores, and more. It is suitable if you need more personal care services without letting go of your independence but do not require round-the-clock supervision and medical care of a nursing home.
If you want to determine whether assisted living is suitable for you, ask yourself the following questions:
Do You Need More Help than Family & Friends Can Offer?
If the activities of daily living overwhelm you and are becoming stressful, an assisted living facility provides the support you need to enjoy your senior years.
Do You Feel Isolated or Lonely at Home?
An active social life is crucial to your health and happiness after retirement. This is because being lonely increases the chances of depression. Thus, the social aspect of assisted living facilities is beneficial. They also conduct many social activities and recreational programs to keep you engaged and help you find like-minded people.
Does Your Safety Worry You?
You may experience physical limitations as you age, increasing the possibility of falls and injuries. Moreover, managing your daily work can become problematic with limited mobility. Assisted living facilities have trained staff to help you.
Is Managing a Home Too Difficult for You?
Living in your home comes with many responsibilities, which can be challenging in the later years. Assisted living facilities offer a home-like atmosphere without the challenges of cooking, upkeep, laundry, and grocery shopping.
Is Transportation a Problem for You?
If you are having trouble driving and public transportation or other alternatives is not too convenient, managing your routine can become difficult. Assisted living provides transportation options to help you manage your appointments.
5 Signs that Assisted Living is Right for You
- Meal preparation and cooking are a constant challenge for you, and if you are struggling to stay healthy, it is time to find alternate living arrangements.
- If you have balance or mobility issues and are more likely to fall and injure seriously, it is wise to look for a senior-friendly place.
- If you need to pay more attention to health and hygiene and doing laundry or bathing is physically challenging, staying in an assisted living apartment is beneficial.
- If you need help managing your appointments or medication, it helps to have professional assistance, which you can get in an assisted living facility.
- Having like-minded people around you can help keep isolation and depression at bay, and assisted living facilities are the right place to do this.
Who Would Benefit from Assisted Living?
The Independent Senior
Assisted living is an excellent option if you need help with daily tasks without losing your independence in your senior years. You can be worry-free without thinking about property maintenance, preparing meals, and other chores. You will have enough time to pursue your hobbies, do things you like, and focus more on your health.
The Lonely Social Person
If you like living in an active community and having a busy social calendar, living alone in your home in the later years can be difficult. You would love to stay in an assisted living facility, where the staff hosts entertaining and engaging activities regularly. You can keep yourself occupied and enjoy yourself with other residents.
The Fall Risk
If you have a history of falling or medical conditions that increase the risk of falls, you will benefit from staying in an assisted living facility. They have experienced staff to help you, senior-friendly infrastructure to make your life easier, and safety measures like emergency buttons to help manage difficult situations. In addition, they have thoughtful programs and experts to improve your physical strength and reduce the chance of falls.
The Worrier
You can be at peace in an assisted living apartment if you feel anxious or unsafe at home. Having caring and competent staff offers assurance that you are in safe hands.
The Persistently Pained Senior
Assisted living is suitable if you have a chronic condition that requires medical management. These facilities have qualified staff experienced in senior care and can help you stay healthy.
How to Choose the Right Assisted Living Facility
Considering the following to find the most suitable facility that meets your needs:
Staff and Management
Asking the right questions about the staff can help you understand how well they manage various situations and help the residents. Visit a facility at different times and observe the following:
- Does the team have time to speak with you, or do they always seem stressed and in a rush?
- Are they genuinely friendly?
- Do they interact patiently and warmly with the residents?
- How do they manage emergencies?
Residents
- Do they appear healthy and happy or bored and frustrated?
- Do they enjoy interacting with each other?
- Are there activities and groups you would join?
Infrastructure and Maintenance
- Does the facility look, smell, and feel fresh and clean?
- Is housekeeping regularly provided?
- Does it seem secure and safe?
- Is it senior-friendly, with easily accessible rooms, bathrooms, grab bars, safety rails, and more?
- Do you like the food and menu?
Making the Decision to Move to Assisted Living
Moving from your home can be painful and stressful. However, having a plan, schedule, and lists can help you manage the situation. In addition, do not hesitate to ask family and friends for help when required. Once you move into your room, find ways to make it familiar and comfortable to your needs. This way, you can overcome the challenges of staying in a new place and be accustomed to the staff and other residents.
Our Assisted Living Offers All the Love & Care You Need
The Holiday Retirement offers the best-assisted living facility in Rhode Island with thoughtful infrastructure and friendly and caring staff. We will understand your needs and ensure you are happy, healthy, and comfortable with exceptional amenities, nutritious, delicious food, and top-notch safety features.
If you are looking for senior assisted living and retirement homes, call us at 1-401-762-4226 or book a facility tour.