SENIOR LIVING
ADVISORS

There comes a time when the benefits of assisted living far outweigh the alternatives. An assisted living community is a place where seniors can be helped with activities of their daily life that have become increasingly difficult to complete. It can provide the freedom to continue to do the things that you enjoy without the unnecessary hardships and isolation that getting older often entails.

An assisted living community can assist with many daily tasks such as dressing, bathing, cooking, housework, and other things that have become a hassle to do. It can also help to bring about a sense of security and peace of mind knowing that help is always nearby. The staff that takes care of residents are compassionate and caring, with ample experience in how to enhance a dignified life for seniors.

With the various levels of care available at senior living facilities, whether you or a parent wants to retain their independence, or need more attentive care, there is a facility that is ideally suited. You or a loved one may need more specialized care such as for dementia or Alzheimer's, which can be given in many of the facilities.

The social life of seniors is also an important consideration. Many seniors become isolated in their later years, which can cause problems where there were none before. By being part of a community that is aligned with the things that you find enjoyable, such as activities and events amongst people that you can relate to, it can open a new world of experiences and joy.

So, what are some of the benefits that you can take advantage of by living in a senior living community? While each facility may have a different set of additional services and benefits, there are general services that each usually possesses.

Common services include activities and events such as painting classes, book clubs, outdoor activities, woodworking classes, and lectures. Meals are prepared by in-house chefs, which are often served in a common dining area. In addition you can expect to receive assistance with medication management, cleaning and housekeeping services. Healthcare and ancillary care will be coordination, you'll be helped with scheduling appointments and follow-ups with your doctors. If needed, you'll receive assistance with daily personal grooming. Senior living communities often provide fitness centers and transportation for errands and other things like healthcare appointments. Your various utilities such as internet services are included. You'll also have access to around-the-clock staff who can provide incontinence management, catheter and ostomy care, and diabetes management. You'll also be supported by escorts to and from events, activities, and meals.

Keep in mind that the exact services of a particular senior living community may vary. If you would like to discover more about the various services that are available throughout senior living facilities, call Senior Living Advisors today.

Choosing a senior living facility is a major decision. However, it doesn't have to be a difficult one. We are dedicated to helping you explore your local assisted living options, making your decision as easy as possible.

The following are some of the most important factors that should be considered in your decision. The size of the community can sometimes be the deciding factor. Some communities are large with many residents but fewer staff per resident. Other communities are smaller and often have ample staff to attend to the needs of the residents. Larger communities tend to offer greater friendship and companionship opportunities, but sometimes, just one good friend in a community can be everything that you need.

As with any move to a new home, location within is important. If you stay close to family or friends, then spending time with them can be easier. There is no need for extensive travel during holidays or just for a quick visit.The nearby environment and community activities can also play a role in your decision. If you have a church that you belong to, then staying within that community may be favorable. You can also use the opportunity to move to a location that can nurture your hobbies, such as golfing or bird watching.

Of course, the particular set of activities and events offered at the assisted living facility is a significant factor. Make sure that the events and activities offered align with your interests. Some facilities may offer book clubs, gardening, beautiful outdoor social areas, lawn bowling, and more. It's also easier to make new friends when you share interests, and other residents have likely taken the events and activities available into account when they made their choice - meaning you'll likely find people with similar interests.

There are many important considerations to keep in mind when searching for your ideal senior living community. What services are offered is a big factor. One of the main purposes of assisted living is to receive help with the things you, as an individual, require. Not only should the senior living community offer services that can assist you in the areas that you need help with now, but it should have a range of services for when your needs evolve.

As with many things in life, cost should be considered. Is the level of care you require at an affordable cost for you? Cost transparency can help you to see just how their costs are calculated. Costs should be carefully compared with other facilities in the area, and the additional costs that may be charged for other services - of course, we can assist with this endeavor.

Your current needs are an important factor in choosing the right senior living community, but so too should your potential future care costs. You may need higher levels of care as time goes by and if the facility is unable to assist you further, then you'll likely have to move again to a new facility, adding emotional stress.

Fitting into a community should be seamless. It's important to find out what the culture within the community is like. Do they have a religious affiliation? Is it a community that you feel you could be an active part of? Knowing people already living in a facility or finding a community that you can relate to can help to make your transition easier and your stay more pleasant.

Sometimes it can become increasingly obvious that it's time to take advantage of assisted living, and other times, it can seemingly sneak up on you. Many fear that their independence might be taken away, but there are various levels of care that can accommodate a wide variety of needs. To help you decide when it's time to consider an assisted living facility, either for yourself or a loved one, we hope to make it easier by exploring the factors below.

Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) include the things you do on a daily basis. Once these become affected, it can lead to a lower quality of life, and a senior living community can help. ADLs include basic grooming such as brushing your hair and teeth, dressing in the morning, walking both in and outside the house, adequate bathing, transferring, such as getting out of bed in the morning and moving to a chair, and using the toilet. Signs of problems in these areas can indicate the need for additional assistance from a senior living facility.

There are other signs that can be as significant as the ADL and IADL signs. For example, if you or a loved one are suffering from deteriorating health due to a disease such as Alzheimer's, then getting into a senior living situation is important. Increasing frailty is also a cause for concern; if there happens to be an accident around the house, such as slipping and falling down, it can be dangerous if you're alone.

Mental health is also an important consideration. Isolation among seniors is common, and becoming isolated from others can result in mental issues such as depression. It may cause other problems such as losing the motivation to take care of oneself or to do housework. Isolation by itself can be a good reason to seek a senior living community.

If you are concerned about your wellbeing, or the wellbeing of a parent or loved one, then call Senior Living Advisors today to discuss the situation and reach a positive outcome.

The various needs that seniors have can dictate the level of care they may require. Of course, to accommodate the various needs, different levels of care are available ranging from high independence and freedom to high support and attentiveness of staff and nurses.

Independent living is a level of care that provides the most freedom and independence. Independent living is also referred to as a retirement home or village. While independence is the key factor in this level of care, there is usually medical help available should someone require it.

A reduced need for daily assistance also has the advantage of being more affordable in most cases. Many seniors opt for this type of living situation because of the social aspects involved; you will be surrounded by your peers and they will likely share similar interests. It can be an ideal solution if minimal daily care is required but isolation and mental wellbeing have become an issue.