Deciding to move to assisted living can be challenging. It’s important to visit communities early and discuss these options with your loved one as soon as possible.
Unlike independent living, assisted living offers 24-hour healthcare. Residents live in private apartments and have access to centralized hospitality services. This includes healthcare, housekeeping, and social activities.
Transportation
Many communities offer transportation services for trips to the doctor or grocery store. Some transportation services offer specialized vehicles for seniors and people with mobility issues to help them get around.
Seniors living alone often forget to take their medications or attend medical appointments, which can be dangerous. Your loved one will receive daily medication management and monitoring assistance in an assisted living community.
In addition, Tallahassee, FL, assisted living communities provide on-site healthcare using a holistic model that looks at physical and emotional well-being. This helps your loved one feel at home while receiving quality care.
Meals
Moving an elderly parent to assisted living can be emotional and challenging. They may struggle to adjust to a new life, lose independence, and be away from loved ones.
Seniors in an assisted living community have nutritious, well-rounded, healthy meals. Dieticians manage the residents’ diets to ensure every individual receives adequate nutrition. Independent seniors often lose muscle mass due to difficulty chewing or swallowing — a meal plan that includes mashed or blended foods and dense liquids helps combat this issue.
Housekeeping
If you plan to move your senior parent into assisted living, consider their needs and what they can comfortably handle. Seniors who want to maintain their independence but require assistance with daily tasks like medication or bathing can opt for assisted living.
When touring facilities, keep an eye out for how clean they are. This is a critical sign that the facility cares about residents’ hygiene and well-being.
It can be emotionally taxing for your loved one to move from their home into a senior living community. Help them navigate this transition by allowing them to process their emotions and feelings about it. This will make the transition smoother for both of you.
Activities
Assisted living offers plenty of socialization opportunities for your loved one to make friends and get involved with the community. This is essential to transitioning to a new lifestyle that helps your senior feel fulfilled, happy, and confident.
A move to assisted living may be difficult for your senior, especially if they feel like their independence is being taken away. This is a valid concern, but you can help ease the transition by talking openly about it and setting expectations together.
Recognizing the warning signs that it’s time to consider assisted living is essential for families. Symptoms include neglecting housework or personal hygiene, forgetting medications or missing doctors’ appointments, and not managing finances well enough. The sooner you recognize these symptoms, the sooner your senior can start living their best life.
Health Care
Ultimately, the decision to move to assisted living is often based on the fact that your loved one’s medical needs can no longer be met at home. For instance, their driving may become unsafe, or cooking or bathing at home can become more complex.
When deciding to move to assisted living, families must visit potential options and talk to residents and staff. This will give you the best sense of the social environment, dining experience, and amenities.
