April 24, 2018
Assisted living is defined as a long-term care option that combines housing, health care and supportive services for individuals who need help with daily living activities, such as dressing, bathing and eating. Currently, in the United States there are over 31,000 assisted living communities serving almost one million seniors, according to the National Survey of Residential Care Facilities. More than half of these seniors are age 85 and older, and nearly 40 percent of residents need assistance with more than three daily living activities.
Seniors today have more living options than ever before, so it can be difficult to determine which type of housing will best fit your loved one’s needs. When health care needs begin to change or decline, moving to an assisted living community can offer numerous benefits. This is why it’s important to assess your loved one’s current health status and determine what type of residence will offer the proper level of service and care, now and in the future.
A few of the key indicators that moving to an assisted living community would be beneficial include:
A decline in health. Perhaps your loved one is suffering from chronic conditions, is frequently ill, or is having difficulty with tasks like managing medications, eating properly and making it to doctor’s appointments. Or, as a caregiver, you might notice that your aging loved one is relying on you more often for medical care, help with housekeeping tasks or transportation.
Safety concerns. Maybe your loved one recently suffered a fall and was unable to get help in a sufficient amount of time. Or, perhaps medications have gotten mixed up, leading to negative side effects.
Recurring falls. Falls are the number one cause of injury in older adults, causing over 95% of hip fractures. Plus, once a senior has suffered a hip fracture, 53% will experience another fall within six months, leading to a loss of independence.
Mobility issues. Perhaps tasks like climbing stairs, vacuuming, or simply getting in and out of bed have recently become difficult due to limited mobility.
Trouble with memory. While it’s common for seniors to experience forgetful moments like misplacing their keys, forgetting the shopping list at home or losing eyeglasses, these could be signs of serious memory loss or Alzheimer’s disease. For instance, trouble recalling the words for common objects, forgetting loved ones’ names, becoming disoriented in familiar places can all indicate something more serious is occurring.
Social isolation. When loved ones become cut off from the world around them, spending large amounts of time alone, physical, mental and emotional health suffers. An assisted living community can improve quality of life by helping seniors remain socially active and continue to build relationships in their later years.
Today’s assisted living communities provide personalized care from a professional staff in a comfortable, safe environment. Residents will enjoy the daily assistance they need while maintaining the highest level of independence possible. Some of the best assisted living services and amenities provided to each resident include:
At Franciscan Ministries senior living communities, your loved one will enjoy comfortable, easy living in our assisted living communities. We promote joyful living for all residents, helping them find joy in all aspects of their lives whether that is through building new friendships, rediscovering hobbies and talents, or discovering a simplified lifestyle. Contact us today to learn more about how we can improve quality of life and assist in a healthy aging plan.
Assisted living communities near you:
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