For families with aging loved ones, the time may likely come when the need for assisted living communities becomes a priority rather than an afterthought. The time to prepare for that day is now before the need becomes urgent and you are left with a crisis, and you are trying to answer the question of ‘where is the best adult assisted living near me?’
Local adult independent living facilities can help bridge the gap between an elder family member living at home and having to move into a full care facility or nursing home. It is important to find local adult living homes that offer the services your loved one needs. Taking the time to do your research and find the best possible facility is one of the best things you can do to protect the physical and mental health of your aging loved ones.
You can start your search by looking for assisted living facilities online or in local business directories and compiling a list of places to go visit. You can also use your smartphone and do a search for ‘best-reviewed adult living near me’ and see what results you can come up with that way.
It’s rare to find someone that actually enjoys the idea of growing old, including all the physical, emotional, and mental effects that go right along with old age. As such it comes as no surprise that the elderly and seniors are often fiercely stubborn when it comes to maintaining a sense of independence. How many times have you seen a senior on the road that clearly shouldn’t be driving because they’re putting the safety of themselves and others at risk? Similarly, it can be difficult for seniors to come to terms with the fact that they can no longer keep up with the demands of everyday life and may need to begin considering assisted living facilities.
Although it may feel and seem like an admission of nearing the end of one’s life, moving into senior adult communities and elder housing such as assisted living facilities is actually an excellent way for seniors to gain a new lease on life. Senior living communities, such as assisted living facilities, allow seniors to experience and live out their golden years the way they were meant to be enjoyed.
Life isn’t just good at assisted living facilities; it’s great! And learning more about the benefits of living in senior living communities can help seniors with making the difficult choice to leave the home they grew to love.
Here are just a handful out of many benefits seniors enjoy when living in assisted living facilities.
Providing a safe, secure, and comfortable environment is high on the list of priorities when it comes to assisted living centers and senior communities. Though not all are equipped with staffed and gated entrances, many are. In addition, the vast majority are monitored by and staffed with experienced security teams. This helps to ward off if not completely eliminate the chances of a burglary or another kind of attach from happening. And because of the close knit community of neighbors and staff, there’s always a caring and watchful eye ready to call for help in the event of an emergency such as a fall or a fire. Furthermore, the overwhelming majority of assisted living facilities and communities are equipped with alert systems, which allow seniors to call for help at the push of a button whenever they need assistance of some sort, such as medical attention.
Healthy, high quality meals
It’s no secret that appetites and metabolism often decrease as people age, and since most seniors don’t usually enjoy eating alone, it can be hard for them to eat as much nutrition as they should because of these factors. And instead of preparing a nourishing meal, which can be tiring and time consuming for a senior citizen, many instead choose to simply heat a microwave meal. These meals are often brimming with high amounts of sodium and unhealthy fats, which can be devastating to the health of seniors, especially those with preexisting health conditions.
Assisted living facilities on the other hand, provide a variety of healthfully prepared meals that are made with fresh ingredients. And many senior apartments feature fully functioning kitchens and kitchenettes that allow seniors to prepare their own meals if they choose and maintain their independence. In addition, seniors have the option of eating with others in the community, which can encourage better digestion and an increased appetite. For these reasons and many others, communal meals are often regarded as healthier. While at a senior living facility, the staff have a chance to monitor a senior’s appetite and make any recommendations for supplementation as necessary.
Happy social hour
Perhaps one of the greatest benefits of living in an assisted living or senior center are the opportunities for socialization and interaction with others, which have been known to improve the overall quality of one’s life while also extending their lifespan. Because seniors are rarely able to see or interact with their friends, their social skills may decline as they age. Not only can depression set in, but it can also cause a sense of anxiety as well. Family visits are a great way to spend time with loved ones too.
