Comprehensive Help for Seniors in Florida: A Guide

According to an article by ClickOrlando.com, a U.S. Money Reserve report found that older adults 65 and above made up 11.8% of Florida's population in 2022. Florida (tied with Vermont) ranked second in the report's list of states with the most elderly individuals in 2022.

Moreover, of the 341 cities with the most growth in senior residents, 26 were in Florida: Lehigh Acres was one, with residents aged 65+ accounting for 12% of its population.

Since many Sunshine State residents are in their golden years, help for seniors in Florida is widely available. Assisted living is one such option.

In this guide, the caring team at Lehigh Acres Assisted Living will share insights into the senior care services Florida assisted living communities provide. So please read on, as what you learn here can help you discover why transitioning to one is a wise move.

Well-Appointed and Maintenance-Free Apartment Homes

Assisted living communities provide senior housing options in Florida with many features for older adults' safety, comfort, enjoyment, and convenience. For example, here at Lehigh Acres Assisted Living, our residents enjoy privacy in their apartment homes furnished with:

Comfy carpets
Heating and air conditioning systems
Window treatments
Kitchenettes with refrigerators/freezers
Call bell systems
Sprinkler systems
Smoke detectors
Well-illuminated apartment entryways

Now, you may wonder how those features can make any difference if you or your older loved one already have them at home.

One primary difference is that our community's professional, friendly team handles housekeeping and apartment maintenance. We'll ensure your apartment is clean, tidy, safe, and habitable, freeing you of the burden of home ownership and upkeep. We'll even take care of your or your older loved one's laundry-cleaning needs!

So, rather than spending much of your time on tedious chores, you can use it for other things you care about. For example, you can socialize more, stay connected with family and friends, or participate in engaging and fun recreational activities.

Tailored Personal Care and Supportive Services

Assisted living communities provide personal care and senior living assistance in Florida tailored to each resident's specific needs. In doing so, they allow older adults to get the help they need when they need it while retaining some level of independence.

For example, at Lehigh Acres Assisted Living, our Florida elderly support programs are individual care plans based on the activities of daily living (ADLs) that each of our residents needs help with.

Let's say you or your older loved one only needs help with housekeeping and medication management. In this case, you can rely on our compassionate personal care team to assist with these specific needs and allow you to independently perform your other ADLs, such as bathing, dressing, and personal hygiene. However, if you need help with all these and more, rest assured that we'll provide the assistance you require.

Chef-Prepared Meals for the Mind and Body

Reputable assisted living communities also provide compassionate retirement help to Florida seniors by serving them nutritious yet delectable meals three times daily. They're crucial supportive services, considering that, according to the Administration for Community Living (ACL), one in two seniors is at risk for malnutrition.

A Quick Note on Malnutrition

Malnutrition can take one of two forms: undernutrition or overnutrition. Undernutrition is when older adults fail to consume adequate nutrients. Overnutrition occurs when someone consumes more nutrients than necessary.

While malnutrition can happen to anyone, older adults are particularly at risk due to:

Health problems or disabilities that limit their abilities to prepare healthy meals
Living alone, which can contribute to a lack of appetite
Appetite loss caused by reduced energy requirements or a lack of physical activity

How Lehigh Acres Assisted Living Helps With Senior Nutrition

Lehigh Acres Assisted Living helps our older residents eat healthily by having our expert culinary team whip up three delicious yet balanced, senior-friendly meals daily. Our talented chefs and kitchen staff serve these delectable dishes in our beautiful dining area, where residents can enjoy them with their friends and fellow residents.

By making every meal a social opportunity, we whet our residents' appetites and make them more likely to want to eat. Since our meals are nutritious and senior-focused, we encourage them to eat better. By serving them well-balanced meals, we aim to minimize the risks and consequences of nutritional issues.

Help for Seniors in Florida Experiencing Isolation and Loneliness

An article published on JAMA Network reported that, in a 2023 national poll, 37% of U.S. adults aged 50 to 80 experienced loneliness. Nearly the same percentage (34%) said they felt socially isolated.

Such negative emotions and states are bad enough on their own, but their consequences are far-reaching, increasing the risks of:

Heart disease
Depression
Anxiety
Stroke
Dementia

By contrast, researchers associate better social connections with:

Increased longevity
Improved social and physical well-being
Better emotional health

How Lehigh Acres Can Help

At Lehigh Acres Assisted Living, we understand the importance of social connectedness and averting isolation in seniors. As such, we strive hard to develop fun and engaging daily activities and events for our older residents. Here are some of the things we do here that help our seniors stay connected, moving, and cognitively active:

Daily morning stretches
Arts and crafts
Puzzles, word games like Scrabble, bingo, and trivia
Pet therapy
Social time with hot chocolate, coffee, and cookies
Entertainment like movies and music
Health and wellness programs

Our assisted living community also has lovely, well-manicured outdoor spaces. Residents (and their cuddly, adorable pets) can enjoy some sunshine, fresh air, and more socialization opportunities here.

Ready to Get the Compassionate Help You Need?

As you learned in this guide, assisted living communities provide compassionate support and caring help for seniors in Florida. So, if you need assistance with one or more ADLs, like to be in the company of other seniors, and want to live in a community that fosters social connectedness and physical well-being, look no further than Lehigh Acres Assisted Living.

Reach out today and let us know when you'd like to visit! We look forward to giving you a tour of our lovely, pet-friendly community and showing you what we do to help our residents thrive in their golden years.