Over 800,000 Americans reside in assisted living communities today.
If you’ve got a loved one who is starting to show signs of aging, it can be difficult to know how to help them. Of course, you want them to have their independence for as long as possible. When their needs start to exceed what you’re capable of providing, senior living is often the best choice.
Today, we’ll discuss some of the benefits of assisted living for seniors. There are many misconceptions about senior living and the quality of life your loved one will live in one of these communities. Keep reading and we’ll show you how assisted living can help them enjoy their life while getting the care they need.
More Social Activity
It can be really difficult for seniors to find community. When they live alone at home, their entire social life might be restricted to family members who are looking after them. When seniors don’t get enough social activity, they can start to have feelings of depression and isolation.
One of the biggest perks of joining an assisted living community is the booming social life that your loved one will enjoy. Not only will they get to spend time with people every day, but they’ll get to spend time with people their age.
There’s a strong emphasis on group activities in assisted living. One day, your loved one could be in an art class with several other seniors. Next, they could be in a walking group for people who like to be active.
A healthy social life is a proven mood booster for seniors. It’s also shown to enhance memory and stave off things like dementia. Assisted living facilitates ongoing relationships between residents.
Mental Engagement
As you get older, it’s more and more essential to keep your mind sharp. Failing to do so can result in memory loss and confusion.
In addition to social engagement, your loved one will experience more mental stimulation in assisted living. As with social programs, there are daily activities available, which are specifically geared toward mental stimulation.
They might include games, educational lectures, language classes, or music performances. All of these things can stimulate different parts of the brain to keep residents more mentally active, engaged, and fresh.
Physical Fitness
So far, we’ve emphasized the mental benefits of assisted living, but physical health is just as important in senior care. Physical activity becomes an integral part of your general health when you enter your older years. Failing to keep your body fit can have major ramifications down the line.
Assisted living residents are encouraged to participate in a variety of fitness activities, from aerobics classes to walks around the community. There are daily programs that are geared toward senior health and promoting physical health.
The benefits of ongoing physical activity are wide-ranging. Better physical health lowers the risk of chronic illnesses, heart disease, and diabetes. It also lowers the risk of injury from falling, which can be debilitating for elderly adults.
Beyond that, physical fitness increases energy stores and helps reduce feelings of depression and anxiety.
Daily Medical Care
All assisted living residents have access to daily medical care from dedicated professionals. 95% of American adults over the age of 60 suffer from at least one chronic condition. If your loved one needs to keep up with appointments and medication, they’ll get nursing home care to ensure they’re looked after.
Residents are closely monitored and given personalized care depending on their unique needs. Whether your loved one needs help moving around the facility or bathing and dressing, there are professionals available at all times.
Care plans are curated, reviewed, and updated constantly. In the event of an emergency, staff are more than capable of providing the necessary care until emergency services arrive. The goal is to provide peace of mind to residents and their family members.
A Healthier Diet
It’s hard for an older adult to stay physically fit if their diet isn’t giving them the nutrients they need. Assisted living meals provide residents with a balanced diet that’s both delicious and contains fresh ingredients.
When a senior eats a nutritious diet, they’re more energetic and vibrant. Healthy foods help them avoid serious conditions, like heart problems, diabetes, osteoporosis, and several cancers.
What’s great about assisted living is that residents have the option of cooking for themselves in their rooms. If they don’t feel up to it, however, they can always go to the communal dining space for their meals.
Safe Facilities
A big worry for family members of elderly adults is their ability to operate safely in their living space. For those with mobility issues, there’s the risk of falling, while those with memory issues have to contend with being overwhelmed by their surroundings.
An assisted living community accounts for all of these issues. The facility itself is designed to give residents a safe place to navigate. When it comes to those who might get confused, the facility is constantly monitored to prevent residents from putting themselves in danger.
Independence
At the top, we mentioned how the thought of going into assisted living can make seniors feel as though they’re losing their independence. In fact, the various residential care options on offer provide your loved one with more independence than they could ever get outside the community.
In assisted living, residents can feel confident about their surroundings and in the people their with. They have the option of living an extremely social life, but they’ve also got their own space. In this sense, they’ve got plenty of independence to live the life they want to live.
Experience the Benefits of Assisted Living for Seniors
These are just a few of the many benefits of assisted living for seniors. If your loved one needs daily help, putting them into a reputable assisted living facility will give them everything they need.
Conservatory at Champion Forest by Discovery Senior Living is a top assisted living community in Spring, TX. Our community offers all of the perks discussed here and our exclusive programs take assisted living to new heights. Contact us today to schedule a tour and talk to a professional about your loved one’s needs.
