Many families that can no longer take care of their loved ones can easily recognize the benefits of assisted living communities. It's a weight off your mind to know your loved one will be cared for, personally and medically. Plus, you won't need to worry about helping your loved one manage a household in addition to their care needs.
There are also many benefits for the people who live in assisted living communities as well. It's important to consider these when making your decisions too.
1. Planned Social Activities
Humans are social creatures. Aging adults who find it difficult to manage certain aspects of their care often withdraw from society because they are embarrassed. This leads to feelings of isolation and depression that only exacerbate physical health issues they may have.
Assisted living communities not only have people to help residents with delicate aspects of their personal care, but also have planned activities (often daily) to engage their residents, encourage socialization, and improve their overall quality of life.
2. Medication Management
Another common problem when older adults live on their own is medication management. With each new health condition comes a new round of medications. Some need to be taken in the morning—others at night. Some must be taken at a certain time of the day, at specific dosages, or with other specific instructions.
In an assisted living community, there is a nurse on hand 24/7 to help your loved one manage their medications. Not only do they ensure residents get the proper medications at the right times of the day, but they also record all the doses so you and their physicians know that their medications were taken on time.
3. Maintenance-Free Living
Perhaps the biggest benefit of assisted living communities for your loved one, though, is the fact that this important person in your life no longer needs to worry about shoveling sidewalks, mowing lawns, painting houses, and countless other maintenance-related tasks around the house. This is all done for your loved one so they can focus on getting to know new neighbors, building a sense of community, and enjoying a worry-free lifestyle.
With benefits like these for those who embrace assisted living communities, there is so much to gain for your loved one by taking the plunge. Just make sure you explore a few options before making your choice so you find the best match where your loved one will feel right at home.
In the words of the Beatles "we get by with a little help from our friends." When your friend is an older adult, you cannot always provide that help yourself. They might need skilled nursing care or around-the-clock supervision that you're just not equipped to offer. That's where nursing homes and assisted living facilities can come in handy. These businesses make sure your loved one gets the help they need, provided by experienced and kind employees. You can learn more about assisted living and nursing facilities in the articles offered here. We think that after you read and explore, you'll be more confident that this is the help your friend needs.