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What is Assisted Living - Services, Benefits, & Daily Life
The word assisted living could mean a variety of things to you.
Maybe during mom’s last trip to the doctor their primary care physician mentioned it might be time to consider assisted living.
Or, a friend of yours recently moved their dad into an assisted living community and has talked to you about how the transition was a little difficult, but they’re starting to experience the benefits.
Perhaps your sister called and said they think it’s time to talk with mom and dad about moving to assisted living and they need everyone on board before they have the conversation.
You suddenly find yourself sitting in front of your computer or phone and typing in the words, Assisted Living.
We want to break things down and make them as simple as possible.
In this article, we will dive into what assisted living is and cover services, amenities, benefits and what a typical day looks like.
This may not answer every assisted living question you have but will be a great place to start your assisted living journey.
Assisted Living, What Is It?
Assisted living is one option available when it comes to senior living. Assisted living residents benefit from assistance and care to continue living as independently as possible. It is a great option for someone who is fairly independent but may need a little help with basic daily tasks.
The most common care that assisted living residents benefit from is with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). These include ambulating, dressing, personal hygiene, continence, and toileting. The level of care provided looks different for each individual resident and what their specific needs might be. Before moving in a Resident Care Director will work with the resident and family to come up with a care plan that is designed to ensure the new resident will be successful in the community.
The specific care that you or your loved one will receive is discussed during the care plan meetings and can be adjusted at any time on an as needed basis. One of the biggest benefits of assisted living when it comes to care is access to a care team 24/7 for whenever a need may arise.
Assisted living residents can choose from a variety of apartment styles when moving into a community. Most assisted living communities offer studio and one-bedroom apartment types. The variety of apartment styles allow residents to create home in a more manageable size.
Assisted living is one option available when it comes to senior living. Assisted living residents benefit from assistance and care to continue living as independently as possible. It is a great option for someone who is fairly independent but may need a little help with basic daily tasks.
The most common care that assisted living residents benefit from is with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). These include ambulating, dressing, personal hygiene, continence, and toileting. The level of care provided looks different for each individual resident and what their specific needs might be. Before moving in a Resident Care Director will work with the resident and family to come up with a care plan that is designed to ensure the new resident will be successful in the community.
The specific care that you or your loved one will receive is discussed during the care plan meetings and can be adjusted at any time on an as needed basis. One of the biggest benefits of assisted living when it comes to care is access to a care team 24/7 for whenever a need may arise.
Assisted living residents can choose from a variety of apartment styles when moving into a community. Most assisted living communities offer studio and one-bedroom apartment types. The variety of apartment styles allow residents to create home in a more manageable size.
A Day in the Life
Morning
After waking in up your apartment, decorated and furnished with personal pieces to make your apartment home, you will get dressed and ready for the day. Depending on what your care needs are, morning could be a time when one of our helpful resident assistants comes in to help with ADLs (bathing, grooming or dressing). You then head down to enjoy breakfast in the dining room with friends.
Afternoon
After exercise maybe you head outside to sit by the front entrance (weather permitting), attend a late morning brain game program, or go back to your apartment for a little bit to relax before lunch. You head back down to the community dining room to join your friends for lunch.
Night
After listening to those last few songs of live music you head back to the dining room for dinner. After dinner you stop to check your mailbox and then pop by the front desk again to say hi to the evening receptionist before deciding if you want to head to the movie that’s playing, or back to the comfort of your apartment for the night. For those who need assistance showering or getting ready for bed, this might be the time that someone from our resident care team comes in to provide personal care. Before going to bed, you might call your children to catch up with them and invite them to the next community event or just to come for lunch or dinner with you.
As you begin your journey into the world of assisted living and senior care.
We hope this serves as a good introduction of what to expect on a basic level. Everyone’s journey with finding the right assisted living community and creating the best care plan to ensure success once becoming a resident will look different. The best part about assisted living, especially today, is that it can be customized to fit the needs of the resident and family. There is an understanding, now more than ever, that every resident that moves in brings with them a unique set of needs, wants and interests and it’s our job to fulfill each of them.
We hope this serves as a good introduction of what to expect on a basic level. Everyone’s journey with finding the right assisted living community and creating the best care plan to ensure success once becoming a resident will look different. The best part about assisted living, especially today, is that it can be customized to fit the needs of the resident and family. There is an understanding, now more than ever, that every resident that moves in brings with them a unique set of needs, wants and interests and it’s our job to fulfill each of them.
Here are some quick FAQ’s about Assisted Living
Support for maintaining an independent life.
Because loved ones may need assistance does not mean they should have to sacrifice their independence for the help. Assisted living communities help your loved ones feel more in control over their lives. Most parents regret having to rely so heavily on their children for help. In a community, they receive any assistance they need and can now spend their time with family and friends enjoying each other’s company.
Support for creating an age-friendly home.
Most existing houses were not built with aging in mind. Your parents may be navigating steps, as well as unsafe bathrooms and kitchen cabinets that are out of reach or require a step ladder. Assisted living residences are designed to be age friendly. Accessibility is standard and your loved ones will no longer need to worry about climbing stairs or other unsafe features.
Support for realizing a desired lifestyle.
Your loved ones may have been missing out on living the kind of life they desire. Have they been able to participate in enjoyable activities or do they no longer have a strong social life? An assisted living community not only provides a monthly calendar of activities but many planned social events to encourage residents to interact and get to know each other.
Support for making lifelong friendships.
A sad reality of life is that we often lose family members and friends as we grow older. It can also become much more of a challenge to meet new people, especially if mobility is an issue or we don’t have transportation options. Assisted living communities make it simple and natural to meet the other residents at the many activities and social events. Sharing a meal or crossing paths in the common areas provides opportunities for conversations and getting to know how much they all have in common.
Support for maintaining a healthy diet.
Fueling bodies and minds with the right nutrients is essential but so too is preparing food that is also appealing and delicious. Eating healthy can become more of a challenge and your loved ones may be substituting snacks or even skipping meals. They will love the many choices provided at an assisted living community, including healthy selections that also appeal to their palates.
Support for reassurance and security.
If your parents have become more anxious about their safety and security, you may have wondered how to help. An assisted living community is designed to do just that. Your loved ones will appreciate the added safety features in both their residence and community as well as know that while they are supported to enjoy their privacy, they are never truly alone if help is ever needed.
Support for the family
Family members also need support as they help their loved ones adapt to the transition of moving into senior living. There is an adjustment period for the families as well. An assisted living community is well trained and aware of how to support their residents’ families and help them continue to be active and engaged in the lives of their loved ones.
Questions & Answers
Frequently Asked Questions
What is assisted living?
Assisted living is a type of residential care that provides assistance with daily activities, such as bathing, dressing, medication management, and housekeeping, for seniors who may need some support but want to maintain their independence. At Palmer Place, we offer personalized care and support for each resident in a comfortable and safe environment.
How do I know if assisted living is the right option for me or my loved ones?
Assisted living can be a good option for seniors who are looking for support with daily activities, want to live in a community with other seniors, and desire a safe and comfortable environment. Our team can help assess whether assisted living is the right choice for you or your loved one.
What amenities and services do you offer?
We offer a variety of amenities and services to help our residents feel comfortable and engaged, including 24-hour care, housekeeping and laundry services, transportation, medication management, social and recreational activities, and access to healthcare professionals.
How much does assisted living cost?
The cost of assisted living can vary depending on the level of care and support required. At Palmer Place, we offer a range of pricing options to fit the needs and budget of our residents.
Can I visit Palmer Place before I make a decision?
Yes, we encourage you to visit our community and meet our staff and residents. You can schedule a tour and see our facility and amenities firsthand. We believe that finding the right assisted living facility is an important decision, and we want to make sure that you feel comfortable and confident in your choice.
Experience Palmer Place for Yourself
Contact us to learn more and to schedule a personalized tour.