The number of older adults approaching retirement as well as new retirees relocating to Tampa has seen a steady increase since beginning of the new millennium. The area’s attractions, temperate climate, and range of senior living options have made Tampa an emerging hotspot for older adults. If you are searching for an assisted living community in Tampa, here are several things that you can consider to help you make a well-informed decision.
Senior Living Activities That Match Your Personal Interests
Participating in social, recreational and therapeutic activities has been shown to help the residents of assisted living communities maintain their independence. They are also seen to have witnessed an improvement in their ability to perform day-to-day tasks for much longer. However, assisted living residents spend at least 65% of their time in their rooms isolated from the community. The problem lies with many assisted living communities not offering suitable planned activities and events that appeal to all residents. As such, you may want to schedule a tour to the community of your choice to explore the events and activities that they have planned for residents.
Delicious and Nutritious Food
Older adults who have been hospitalized due to malnutrition range between 30 to 60 percent. There is no lack of food but they are lacking of meals that are packed with nutrients. Changes in their ability to smell and taste, decreased physical activity, and dental issues have all been pegged as common reasons that lead to senior malnutrition. You can inquire with the assisted living community of your choice to understand the menu options that they offer their residents. You are also able to schedule a tour to taste their meals.
Custom Care Plans
Assisted living needs to offer your older loved one with custom care plans that accommodate their daily and medical needs. You can inquire with the assisted living community about the care options that they offer and how each of them caters to the needs of your loved one. There are also care plans that are highly flexible which means that elective options can be added or removed according to what your older loved one requires and may not need down the road.
Assisted Living and Memory Care
Depending on the needs of your older loved one, you need to consider a senior living community that offers assisted living and memory care programs. Offering both of these programs in one community will allow your older loved one to transition over in the future should the need for a change in programs arises. Assisted living offers assistance with daily living activities like grooming, toileting, bathing, feeding and basic medical needs whereas memory care provides residents with 24-hour specialized care for their memory-related conditions.
Intermediate Care and Cognitive Support
The progression of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia can span from just several months to a number of years or even longer. Additionally, mild cognitive impairment usually does not progress into dementia. This makes predicting the future of memory care even tougher. If you have any concerns about this, always opt for an assisted living community that also offers memory care for ease of transition.
