The Benefits of Assisted Living Communities for Seniors
Florida is home to over 20 million residents - 5.5 million of these people are over the age of 60.
If you've got an elderly loved one in the Sunshine State, you may have already begun looking into senior living. This is an important option for seniors dealing with age-related health issues, but also for seniors who simply want to downsize and enjoy a simpler lifestyle.
Some seniors are receptive to the idea of assisted living, while others are daunted by the idea of the transition. If your loved one is falling into the latter category, tell them the benefits of assisted living.
In today's post, we'll go over some of these benefits in detail so you can ease their apprehension. Keep reading and you'll know what to look for in a senior living community for your loved one.
Low-Maintenance Lifestyle
There are tangible and less tangible advantages of assisted living. One of the less tangible perks is the overall quality of life in assisted living.
If they're used to looking after their household, doing chores, and cooking for themselves, senior living will be a welcome change. They'll enjoy more leisure time while community staff members take care of housekeeping and general maintenance.
Your loved one will get to decide what they do each day. There'll be plenty of activities to partake in, or if they want to relax, they'll be able to do so in their room or common areas with their fellow residents. This creates less stress and more enjoyment of day-to-day life.
Personalized Care
When your loved one enters assisted living, they'll get a personalized care plan to suit their healthcare needs. These communities have staff available 24/7 to help residents with everything from getting dressed and bathing to taking their medications.
In addition to the compassionate and helpful care that staff provides, residents also have nursing access. An on-site nurse will help staff create tailored care plans that maximize each resident's health. When you compare assisted living vs home care, this is probably one of the biggest senior living benefits.
Apartment and Community Amenities
Your loved one will get to enjoy apartment-style living. Each room - suite or 1-bedroom - is equipped with an air conditioner, a kitchenette, cable television, and space for pets.
In terms of community amenities, they'll have access to private outdoor areas where they can relax or socialize. There are multiple in-house lounge areas, a hair salon, and a weekly laundry service.
Improved Physical Health
Good assisted living communities will have a daily activity calendar full of exciting events and activities for residents. These are wide-ranging, but many of the activities are geared towards improving the physical health of residents.
Seniors need 150 minutes of exercise per week to strengthen bones and joints while avoiding major health issues. On any given day, they might enjoy a walking club, Tai Chi, yoga, or leisure sports to improve their fitness.
Better Social Life
At the same time, the activity calendar is in place to improve residents' social lives. One of the great concerns among our senior populations is social isolation, which affects nearly 40% of adults between 50-80.
Feelings of isolation are deeply connected to larger problems, such as depression and anxiety. According to the CDC, loneliness and isolation are connected to a 50% increase in the likelihood of cognitive decline as well.
Our activities and amenities are in place to encourage socialization between residents. Everyone is encouraged to participate in team-based activities that facilitate lasting relationships. An improved social life improves health and wellness.
Improved Cognitive Health
Cognitive health is another important consideration for seniors, with nearly 7 million older adults suffering from Alzheimer's and dementia. The human brain is almost like a muscle that must be exercised daily. As we get older, however, it can become more daunting to engage the mind with new challenges.
Assisted living services do everything possible to challenge residents to use their intellect. There are game nights, puzzles, and group storytelling to help them use their memory and boost their overall cognitive health.
Better Nutrition
In many ways, senior health hinges on proper nutrition. Everyone needs plenty of vitamins and nutrients to maintain their health, but it's even more important for seniors to prioritize healthy eating.
The problem for seniors arises in that it's daunting to cook for oneself. If your loved one wants to cook, they'll have the option of doing so in their kitchenette. If they don't, however, there's an in-house restaurant available.
Our community gives residents access to restaurant-quality dining. Three times per day, they'll be given a rotating menu of delicious and nutritious foods that prioritize their health. Having this will help them avoid various health issues, such as diabetes, heart disease, and some cancers.
Safety and Security
The risk of injury is more prevalent for seniors. If they have a bad fall, it could create lasting health problems that lower their quality of life.
For that reason, good communities will take plenty of measures to enhance the safety of residents. Whether that means accessibility ramps or extra cushion on the floors, the risk of injury will be greatly reduced on our watch.
Peace of Mind
One of the underrated advantages of assisted living is the peace of mind it gives not just your loved one but the entire family. Knowing that your elderly loved one is receiving high-level care makes it easier to sleep at night.
This is especially true if you're the one providing most of their care currently. You'll be able to stop by at your convenience to visit them. When you see them in their new element, surrounded by other seniors, it'll take a weight off of your mind, knowing they're in good hands.
Experience the Benefits of Assisted Living
These are just some of the many benefits of assisted living. To see what else senior care has in store for your loved one, start searching for the right community for their needs.
If you're in Lehigh Acres, the best choice for your loved one is Lehigh Acres Assisted Living. We offer all of the amazing benefits mentioned here but contact us today to set up a tour, and you'll see everything we have to offer our residents.