Making the Right Move: How to Decide When Assisted Living is the Best Option
Ageing often leads to health concerns related to difficulties in managing chronic conditions or recovering from illnesses and can create a hindrance to performing daily activities for elderly individuals. To help them, assisted living can be a viable solution.
Assisted living provides a supportive living environment for elderly people who require varying levels of assistance with daily activities, personal care, and health monitoring. It bridges the gap between independent living and full-time nursing care, offering a balanced approach to meeting the needs of older adults. These facilities offer a range of benefits, including 24-hour assistance, personalized care plans, nutritious meals, housekeeping services, transportation arrangements, and recreational activities. The availability of assistance around the clock provides peace of mind to residents and contributes to their overall sense of security and contentment to elderly people.
However, the question is when should one opt for assisted living?
1. Frequent falls and safety concerns
As individuals age, their balance, coordination, and muscle strength may decline, making them more prone to accidents and falls. Such a situation can result in serious injuries, such as fractures or head trauma, leading to prolonged recovery periods and a diminished quality of life. Sometimes, these falls can also be indicative of underlying health conditions, such as osteoporosis, vision impairments, or neurological disorders, which require specialized attention and monitoring.
By residing in an assisted living facility, seniors benefit from trained staff and a safe and supportive environment that addresses their unique needs, mitigates the risks associated with falls/accidents and ensures their overall well-being.
2. Difficulty with daily life activities
Seniors may encounter difficulties with various activities of daily living (ADLs), which can impact their independence and quality of life. Tasks such as bathing, dressing, and eating can become challenging due to physical limitations or cognitive decline. Assisted living facilities offer necessary assistance to them for maintaining their independence while ensuring their well-being.
Trained support staff can provide support and guidance to seniors with ADLs, which not only ensures their physical needs are met but also contributes to their overall sense of dignity and self-confidence.
3. Unavailability of a caregiver at home
One of the challenges faced when seeking caregiving services at home is the unavailability of a suitable caregiver. Finding a caregiver who possesses the necessary skills, experience, and compatibility with the senior can be very difficult. Additionally, the cost of hiring in-home caregivers can be prohibitively expensive, especially when considering the need for round-the-clock care or specialized assistance.
In such cases, assisted living facilities can be a more approachable option. These facilities offer a range of services and amenities for seniors through a predictable and affordable monthly fee.
4. Need for assistance with daily nutrition and hygiene
With age, elderly people face challenges in maintaining a healthy diet and practicing proper personal hygiene. Difficulties such as decreased appetite, limited mobility, or cognitive decline can contribute to inadequate nutrition and hygiene. In an assisted living setting, trained staff members can address these challenges by offering help with meal planning and ensuring that residents receive balanced and nutritious meals tailored to their dietary needs.
They can also provide support with personal care needs, including grooming and dressing, and promoting cleanliness, comfort, and dignity for seniors. This level of support helps elderly people maintain physical well-being and increases their self-esteem.
5. Mobility issues
Mobility issues can significantly impact the lives of seniors, as they may face difficulties in walking or getting around. These challenges can lead to isolation, limited social interaction, and a decreased sense of independence. Assisted living can help with such concerns as they are designed with seniors' needs in mind, offering features like grab bars, wheelchair ramps, and wide hallways to promote accessibility and ease of movement.
Additionally, trained staff members are available to assist with mobility aids, such as walkers or wheelchairs, and can provide physical assistance when needed. By offering these accommodations and support, assisted living facilities enable seniors to maintain an active and engaged lifestyle, fostering social connections and happy life.
6. Emotional well-being and combating loneliness and depression
Emotional well-being is a vital aspect of overall health, particularly for seniors. With age and health concerns, the chances of them losing themselves to loneliness and depression is high. They may start avoiding social gatherings and meeting people, leading to a gloomy mental state. Assisted living facilities play a crucial role in helping seniors combat loneliness and depression via a calendar of activities and programs tailored to the interests and preferences of the residents.
This promotes social interaction and helps seniors form meaningful relationships, leading to a sense of belonging and companionship. The presence of like-minded individuals in a supportive community environment allows seniors to share experiences, participate in group outings, and enjoy recreational activities together, promoting a positive and fulfilling lifestyle. The social and emotional benefits also contribute to improved mental health.
7. Diagnosis of progressive health diseases like dementia
Caring for seniors with progressive health diseases like dementia presents unique challenges, particularly when it comes to managing their health and well-being. These progressive conditions often result in cognitive decline, memory loss, and difficulties with daily activities, making it increasingly difficult for family members to provide adequate care at home.
In such a situation, by opting for assisted living facilities, family members can ensure the safety of their elderly loved ones. Assisted living offers a secure environment with measures in place to prevent wandering and ensures the safety of seniors.
There are times when family members who have been serving as primary caregivers may reach a point where they are unable to meet the increasing demands, adversely affecting their well-being and relationships. In such situations, it is ideal to opt for assisted living facilities for seniors to receive professional care. It reduces the burden on family members and ensures that the needs of seniors are met by qualified and compassionate staff members.
This article was authored by Vivek Srivastava, co-founder and CEO, HCAH.
