If your loved one is losing independence due to declining health or becoming socially isolated, assisted living may be the right solution. When researching this option, be sure to ask many questions and read any contracts carefully – this way there will be no surprises when signing them on for care.
Look for a staff-to-resident ratio that suits the level of care your or your loved one requires.
Residential Care
Assisted living communities recognize the value of physical and emotional wellness for residents, offering programs such as bingo games, movie nights and arts and crafts activities.
Residential care homes specialize in providing seniors with the essential caregiver assistance they require on a daily basis, including meal preparation and medication administration, encouraging socialization via yoga or card games and organizing community outings.
While specifics vary by state, most assisted living facilities allow visitors and loved ones to come and go as they please, as opposed to nursing homes which typically impose visiting hours with front desk sign-in desks for each resident. Nursing home visits typically have visiting hours with front desk sign-in requirements that increase feelings of isolation which in turn may increase cardiovascular disease risks as well as cognitive issues; assisted living provides the chance to form meaningful friendships which reduce these risks through making relationships that reduce loneliness while increasing resilience against heart disease and cognitive issues.
Personal Care
Personal care services provide assistance for seniors seeking independence while still needing daily assistance with daily living activities like bathing and dressing as well as medication management. In addition, they may help get clients to appointments on time, assist with grocery shopping trips or provide transportation.
Both types of communities also offer an abundance of social activities and amenities, such as educational and entertainment programs, club activities, an onsite fitness center and salon and barber services.
Caregivers often need a break from caring for their loved one and can find respite care at an assisted living community. Stays can usually last between five and seven days, allowing the caregiver time away while their loved one remains safe and well taken care of. In New York state facilities must offer both general observations as well as health supervision to assess each resident’s needs and ability to function.
Health Care
Assisted living facilities range in size from small “board and care” homes (also referred to as residential care facilities for the elderly or RCFEs) to sprawling multi-level complexes. Some provide assistance with daily activities while others specialize in nursing and medical care services.
Most assisted living facilities are regulated by their state and undergo regular inspections, while some provide on-site healthcare or pharmacies. Residents pay an additional monthly fee over and above rent to cover the costs of assisted living services, which may include basic WiFi or upgraded options at additional costs.
Before choosing an assisted living facility for your loved one, discuss all available options with them carefully. Begin by emphasizing your role as their caregiver and expressing willingness to discuss different solutions with them. Be prepared to revisit this discussion as your parent’s needs and preferences change over time; long-term care insurance often covers assisted living costs while Medicaid – the federal/state health care program designed for people with low incomes and limited assets – could assist with room and board costs.
Activities of Daily Living
As people get older, their ability to perform basic daily activities such as getting out of bed in the morning, showering, bathing and eating may become increasingly challenging. They may require help with these everyday activities – which places an emotional and financial strain on family members – but assisted living offers relief as these tasks will be taken care of on their behalf.
Assisted living communities provide services designed to promote independence for their residents, such as access to doctors and pharmacies (for an additional fee), transportation services (escorted or not), meals and educational opportunities. Sometimes this takes the form of visiting lecturer or professors who share topics of their expertise within these communities.
Basic services provided to seniors may include shopping and meal preparation, medication management, housekeeping services and finances management. To ensure seniors get the assistance they require with ADLs/iADLs to avoid dangerous situations that necessitate hospitalization, assistance should always be received in a timely fashion.