Aging is an inevitable part of life. While at first, you might only be worried about a few wrinkles and graying hair, at some point, you might find yourself needing additional support and care when everyday tasks begin to become more challenging. Although you might not be at this stage in life just yet, if you have an elderly parent or relative who is going through this, you will want to make sure that they are getting the best care possible. While there are many senior care options to explore, below are some of the key benefits of assisted living facilities that you might find interesting.
They Can Offer a Better Quality of Life
If your senior parent/relative is struggling to do things such as getting dressed, bathing, household chores, etc., then living independently without help can result in a loss of dignity. Living in a messy home and being unable to wash properly is uncomfortable and can be demeaning. Still, if these tasks are causing them pain, they will likely avoid doing them altogether. Assisted living can be a great solution to this and offer a better quality of life for your parent/relative. Carers are on-site to help them with grooming and bathing should they need it, along with cleaning tasks, medication management, and even meal preparation on-site in a communal dining area or privately, depending on what the facility offers. You can see an example of the kind of services you can expect from an assisted living facility at this Brentwood retirement community.
Better Socialization
Another perk of assisted living facilities is that they can improve senior citizens’ social lives. Loneliness is a problem that many elderly people face, particularly if their partners have died or don’t live close by to friends and family. Moving into a facility like this will allow them to meet people closer to their age and make new friends, which can make them feel more comfortable in their new surroundings and be a boost for their mental health as well. It is fairly common for these assisted living facilities to offer organized activities on-site like book clubs, arts and crafts, exercise classes, etc. Some even arrange to have days out to places of interest or go shopping in the town center for residents too.
Peace of Mind for You
Finally, moving your senior parent/relative into an assisted living facility can ultimately give you and the rest of their loved ones better peace of mind. If they have been struggling to live alone at home, whether that is dealing with new medications, they have had a few falls recently, complained of loneliness, or even being unable to do basic tasks, you will know that they are being cared for properly in these homes. You can visit them often to make sure that they are settled or keep in touch via phone and video chat if you don’t live nearby.
If you are growing concerned about the welfare of your senior parent or another elderly relative, consider the benefits of assisted living and whether it could be the right place for them.
