If you have recently come to the realization that a transition to some type of senior living arrangement is in the best interest of your aging parent or loved one, you are not alone. Currently, millions of aging adults reside in some form of senior living community or facility, and that number is only expected to rise as the number of senior citizens in the United States continues to increase. While there are many incredible senior living options to be found with the right research, the large and growing population of aging adults has created an abundance of choice that can often be overwhelming, especially if you have just begun your search.
So, once it has become apparent that your loved one would benefit from senior living, where exactly should you go from there? The best place to start is deciding which kind of lifestyle or level of care/support is best suited to your loved one. This can help reduce the aforementioned overwhelm resulting from the amount of choices available in senior living.
Independent Living
Independent living is an option designed for seniors who remain full physically capable but can no longer keep up with the demands of household maintenance and upkeep, or simply wish to live in a retirement community with nearby friends and amenities. Independent living communities are great for someone earlier in their retirement, but it is important to note that they do not provide additional care or medical support – meaning that it is not an ideal option for aging adults who are less physically able or mobile.
Assisted Living
Assisted living facilities offer residents support or assistance with the activities of daily living, such as bathing, grooming, eating, using the restroom, or medication management. Many assisted living facilities have corporate ownership with many locations and varying degrees of quality. They are often designed to house a high number of seniors, which can be great for a sense of community but can lead to high staff-to-patient ratios which result in a lower degree of individual attention for each resident.
Residential Assisted Living
Residential assisted living offers the same care and support as an assisted living facility, but with a few key differences. They offer a more intimidate and familial setting due to fact that they are generally found in actual houses versus large, uniform and often clinical-feeling buildings. This means that they house far fewer residents than AL facilities, which allows staff members to spend more time getting to know each person and helping them with their needs and individualized care plans. It also helps residents continue enjoying their lives with as much autonomy as possible in a setting much more akin to their own home than a large facility.
Memory Care
Memory care communities are designed for those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and similar conditions. They are an incredible resource for people affected by dementia as they create a safe and supportive place to live, usually equipped with magnetically-locking doors to prevent wandering and high amounts of supervision to avoid injuries. They generally offer involved treatment plans intended to slow the progress of dementia and help residents get the most out of every day by staying connected with both their memories and the world around them. It is important to note that many residential assisted living homes can provide memory care services if the individual is not aggressive or prone to wandering.
If you believe your loved one would benefit most from residential assisted living and would like more help deciding on next steps, call Heartfelt Residential Care today at (800) 379-3860 or contact us online.