From helping residents manage their medicine to arranging social events, assisted living facility staff members may increase the living standards of elderly individuals in ways small and large. 7 ways assisted living may improve the quality of life that benefit residents, as well as their family members. For one, residents are provided socialization, safety, as well as a comprehensive variety of support and amenities that ensure their comfort and happiness. Similarly, families obtain peace of mind knowing that their loved ones are well-cared for.
Here, Optimum Personal Care list 7 ways assisted living may improve the quality of life for a resident:
Support for day-to-day tasks
At assisted living facilities, a lot of regular daily tasks are taken care of for you. For instance, assisted living facilities usually serve 3 meals per day. If the resident has certain dietary needs, such as a need for low-sugar or low-fat offerings, all meals are prepared to these specifications.
A low-fat diet is made to decrease the risk of obesity and heart disease. Fat offers 9 calories a gram, as compared with 4 calories a gram for both protein and carbs. Standard low-fat diets are defined as getting under 30% of your day-to-day calories from fat, whereas extremely low-fat diets are going to contain only 10 – 15% of day-to-day calories from fat. In limiting fats, those diets are meant to help you consume fewer calories. A low-fat diet also has been shown to reduce cholesterol, and it is commonly suggested for the ones who have gastroparesis, gallbladder disease, and nutrient malabsorption. Low-fat diets do not mean avoiding fat altogether. Suggested healthy fat sources include avocados and nuts.
Also, assisted living facilities to offer laundry services, light housekeeping, and transportation. If more support or services are required, like help with dressing, bathing, or grooming, or if short-range nursing care is needed, those services might be offered by contracting with a home care agency for an extra charge. Within some states, Medicaid reimbursement can be used for personal care if residents meet eligibility requirements for the Medicaid waiver plan.
Social functions and community connections
Loneliness offers a lot of inspiration for songwriters, particularly country music artists. Although it may be excellent song material, feeling lonely may be detrimental to your health, studies show. According to AARP research, 355 respondents in a survey age 45+ were lonely. And other studies tied loneliness to metabolic syndrome, a variety of health conditions like high blood pressure, abdominal obesity, and insulin resistance; in addition, it raises the risk of heart disease, stroke, and Type 2 diabetes. Not to mention: Feelings of isolation and loneliness often are underlying factors for depression, substance abuse, and chronic pain.
As we grow older, our social circles usually shrink, and we have fewer chances to socialize. An assisted living facility provides a variety of chances to make connections with others. They offer an immediate community for those who reside in them. Because loneliness and isolation may have a substantial negative effect on one’s health, maintaining great social connections is extremely important for elderly adults. An assisted living facility offers a broad array of social activities.
Recreational opportunities
A lot of assisted living communities offer a plethora of exercise and recreational options for seniors. Athletic and recreational amenities at an assisted living facility often involve an in-house theater, recreation room, gym, computer room, and library. Some assisted facilities even offer outdoor and indoor pools. The majority of assisted living communities offer activity schedules that could keep residents busy almost every hour of the day.
Research has proven that exercise may assist in improving stamina, cardiovascular health, and bone density while decreasing the risk of chronic diseases such as obesity and diabetes. Those findings are especially a fact for seniors who are likely to lose strength, muscle mass, agility, bone density, balance, and endurance as they grow older.
It is a fight against time and gravity yet remaining fit over the long term should be a worthwhile goal. Seniors who regularly exercise enjoy more health and independence than the ones who don’t. Therefore, how can seniors integrate more activity into their lives and what are the ideal exercises for them? The secret includes finding pleasurable activities you can stick to. They may be anything from water aerobics or walking to dancing, yoga, simple stretching, or tai chi.
Assistance with medication management
Typically, staff members at assisted living facilities aid residents in managing their medication(s) in a number of ways. The assisted living facility works with a resident’s pharmacy of choice, whether it is the corner drugstore or mail order operation. Assisted living facilities usually contract with an outside pharmacy that delivers, taking a lot of the weight off of the individual and (her or his) family. Generally, assisted living facilities to have policies that help residents with medication management. This might involve continuing education sessions and medicine audits that check that a resident is independently managing her or his medications. During these types of audits, staff members might ask residents if they know what each medication is for and ask if they are taking the medicine at the proper time.
Cultural and educational programs
Most assisted living communities offer cultural and scholarly opportunities, such as lectures on a broad array of topics. A lot of assisted living for adults with disabilities facilities also offer chances for residents to give discussions on their areas of expertise and life experiences.
Safe and secure living environment
Falls happen, no matter what age you are. However, the fact is, the greater your age, the more prone you are to falling. As a matter of fact, the CDC pegged falling as the number one cause of death and injury among those 65 and up.
Specific aging pitfalls, such as falls, may have devastating consequences. Falls are common as we grow older, and oftentimes result in injuries that may range from a minor inconvenience to deadly, but studies suggest they can mainly be prevented.
Some assisted living communities offer fall prevention plans. Even without a coordinated plan, having a safe, secure living environment, somebody to offer a hand when you really need it and accessibility to support are things that may not be as easily accessible while living at home alone. That may go a long way in keeping you on the game. While folks might be reticent to request help, occasionally requesting a bit of support up-front may help in maintaining more independence over the long haul.
Memory support
A few folks move into assisted living communities because they are experiencing a neurocognitive disorder such as Alzheimer’s and may no longer safely live alone. Specific assisted living communities provide memory support that offers 24/7 services to ensure that residents are attended to. The aim includes ensuring a residents’ well-being and minimizing confusion. Specially-trained members of the staff keep residents who live with neurocognitive disorders socially engaged, safe, and living as they might if they were living on their own as much as possible. Services differ by provider yet involve direct-care members helping residents with day-to-day living tasks such as bathing, medication administration, therapeutic support, and personal hygiene. On a daily basis, the therapeutic recreation staff interacts with residents. For example, they may include residents in music or art activities that offer social stimulation, as well as improve quality of life and mood.
8 strategies to ease the transition of moving a parent to assisted living:
Moving a parent into an assisted living facility can be fraught with emotion. They might mourn the loss of their independence, younger years, and the house that they built. They might be scared about making new friends, aging, or navigating their way in a new space.
You also might be mourning all those things. You might second-guess your decision. Did we overreact? Act too fast? Wait too long? You’ll feel guilt. That’s inevitable. Know that all those feelings are normal and do not have to last forever. Keep the following 8 strategies in mind while making a transition:
1. Give it some time
Senior living specialists say it usually takes between 3 – 6 months for somebody to adjust to assisted living. That is an average. It may be faster; it might take longer. Remain focused on the reason you made the choice (sanity, health, security, safety). Keeping the bigger picture in mind helps you through the tough patches.
2. Visit often, or not for 2 weeks
Only you understand your parent, so only you are able to determine how to best help them through the earlier weeks of the move. Many specialists tell you to visit as frequently as you can. Frequent visits may ease any stress that your parent might have that they’ll be lonely or abandoned. It may be simpler for them to meet people in the dining room or at activities if they have a companion along with them. However, if your parent calls you several times per day, remaining in their room, and waiting for you to arrive and keep them company, you might have to give them a little space to encourage them to connect with others.
3. Expect setbacks
Just when you believe that you’ve over the hump and your parent is now settling in, things might change. They’ll tell you they’re lonely. They’ll decide that they do not like their new dining hall pals. They’ll request to go home. Those times can be heart-wrenching yet knowing that they’re normal and that they’ll pass, will help get you through them.
4. Permit yourself to feel discomfort
Recognize that when your parent states wanting to go home, they might not necessarily mean their previous address. It is hard to hear your parents beg to go home. However, know this: they might not be referring to their previous address – particularly if they have dementia; they might be referring to their childhood home. Home is both a feeling and a place. Sit down with them in the discomfort of this statement and speak with them about what they really miss. You cannot promise to change the situation; however, it’s possible to hear them while they express their feelings. Check article for Entertaining Things to Talk About with Seniors.
5. Acknowledge the hard parts
You want to paint the new move in a positive light, yet do not talk to your parents about all of the amazing new opportunities and people and activities. Listen to their concerns and fears and acknowledge them. Help them get through the difficulties. They’ll be more likely to listen to what you’re saying if they feel like you have listened to what they said.
6. Surround your mom or dad with their belongings
Usually, moving to assisted living means downsizing. The dining room table that has two extension leaves and the coordinating hutch might not fit inside the new apartment. However, what does fit, are photos of friends and family, favorite books, photo albums, and a piece of artwork. If you have to downsize a bedroom set, it’s still possible to bring familiar pillows and blankets. The kitchen might be new; however, it’s possible to pack your mom’s favorite coffee mug. Leaving a house should not mean leaving behind the comforts of home.
7. Limit new items
You might want to furnish your parent’s new space with the latest and greatest hoping that they’ll like their new, fancy home. However, limit new things. Moving into assisted living is a huge adjustment in which everything is new – the food, the routines, the people. Do not overwhelm your mom or dad with a new telephone or television remote control, or a new coffee maker. Limit the number of new things they have to learn.
8. Build up a team
The assisted living staff should and can be part of your team. Speak with them about your concerns, as well as your mom or dad’s concerns, and actively enroll them in assisting with the transition. Do not assume they’ll notice what has to happen – they’re very busy. If they tell you they’re too shy to head to the dining hall for supper, or they forget when these activities are occurring, ask if a member of the staff might knock on their door and welcome them. If the members of the staff know what’s needed, they ought to be willing to help.
Have questions about moving your parent into assisted living Missouri City? Contact the friendly staff at Optimum Personal Care today at 281.565.4144 or fill out this easy inquiry form here.