A Home Beyond Home: The Comfort And Care of Assisted Living

Senior living communities offer numerous benefits. However, the right community must be selected for the individual. When choosing a community, many families look into assisted living. When should this option be considered, and why?

Care and Safety

One reason families may look into a Salt Lake City Assisted Living Facility is to ensure their loved ones always have help when needed. Caregivers remain available around the clock to assist residents with their personal care needs. Each resident receives a personalized care plan that addresses those tasks with which they have challenges. 

Tasks the staff may help with include bathing, grooming, and dressing. Some residents need assistance with toileting or medication management. However, the tasks may not be related to personal care. A resident may need help with meals and housekeeping, or they may struggle to keep up with their laundry. Medication management and transportation are two additional services the staff at the assisted living community may help with, as each person is unique. 

Residents have access to 24-hour care thanks to the on-call nurses and staff members. Living units come equipped with emergency alert response systems, and residents may be given the option to wear a pendant or bracelet that can be used to alert staff members when assistance is needed. Features throughout the community are designed to reduce the risk of falls and accidents, and the staff coordinates medical care for residents. 

The staff takes this a step further. Assisted living communities typically have measures in place to prevent unwanted guests from interacting with residents. Furthermore, the staff has a disaster preparation plan so they can assist residents if the worst happens. Families feel more comfortable knowing their loved ones will have help in any situation, big or small. 

Socialization

While families often think of the worst that can happen, such as a loved one falling and nobody being around to help them, they frequently overlook the negative mental impact of living alone. Seniors often struggle to get out and interact with others. They may no longer drive, or mobility issues could keep them at home. When they move to a senior living community, staff members ensure they get regular interactions with others. 

Most communities employ one or more staff members to plan and organize social events for residents, keeping them active and engaged. These activities and programs may range from book clubs to fitness classes. Furthermore, the communities have common areas where residents can gather and interact without direction. This interaction is essential, as loneliness and isolation can lead to cognitive decline in seniors. 

A community might bring in guest speakers to engage residents, or they may offer sensory and creative activities to slow or halt cognitive decline. These activities also boost seniors’ confidence and enable them to form new connections, which in turn bolsters their mental health. Seniors also feel a sense of purpose when they complete these activities. The activities director might also ask residents to lead talks and classes based on their skills and knowledge. 

Physical Activity

Seniors do best when they regularly engage in physical activity. Assisted living communities offer a range of fitness classes so all residents can participate. Some residents might take part in chair yoga to increase their mobility, while others go outside and play a rousing game of disc golf. Offering a wide range of activities ensures everyone can take part in the fun and increase their mobility, flexibility, and strength. 

Assisted living communities provide a safe and inclusive place for seniors to thrive. Many residents wonder why they didn’t transition to a senior living community sooner. Learn more today to see if you are ready to make this move that will change your life for the better in every way.