Assisted Living is a great option for many older adults. It provides the freedom to live independently while offering support and services that may be needed as you age. With the right choice of assisted living community, you can benefit from a number of advantages over traditional in-home care provided by private caregivers or family members. But what exactly makes assisted living safely when it comes to Assisted Living vs. in-home care? There are a lot of benefits that come with this lifestyle change, including:
Safety Of Seniors
As you know, older adults are at risk of falling and having serious injuries. If not attended to quickly enough, these injuries can be fatal to those who have them. This is why they must get the proper care and attention when they need it most. In-home care is usually expensive and not always reliable. When your loved one needs help with daily tasks or medical assistance, it can be difficult to find someone who will be available when you need them most. Choosing assisted Living allows your loved one to live in a comfortable environment where round-the-clock supervision is provided by trained professionals who understand how stressful moving into this type of setting can be for some people.
Socialization
Socialization is important for aging family members, and it’s also important for all people. It’s an important part of our lives that helps us maintain mental health and a sense of purpose. However, when someone is living with dementia or other chronic conditions that may make it difficult for them to communicate or interact with others, socialization can be even more vital.
How can you encourage your loved one—whether they’re in assisted Living or not—to participate in activities? How can you ensure their safety? Here are some tips:
- Make sure the activity space is well lit and well ventilated
- Make sure there are plenty of seats available (and, if possible, armchairs) so that everyone has somewhere comfortable to sit
- Ensure staff members are present during all activities so as not only to keep track of who’s where but also help facilitate any conversations that might come up
Medical Assistance
In-home care is not always the best solution for aging family members with complex medical needs. Assisted living centers have medical professionals on staff and are available to help with daily tasks 24/7, such as bathing, showering, dressing, and medication administration. In addition to having more time to focus on physical health and nutrition, assisted living residents can enjoy access to specialized equipment that allows them to remain independent in their own homes. For example:
- Wheelchairs—Assistance may be needed when walking from place to place within an assisted living community or between buildings (for example, from one apartment unit into the dining room).
- Ostomies—These are pouch devices used by people who have had a part of their intestine surgically removed due to illness or injury but still need some digestive function. These devices provide an alternative way for bodily waste products like urine or stool to collect outside of the body until they can be safely discarded through normal channels like toilets at home or bathrooms in public places like restaurants or stores where only those who need special accommodations will know that they exist so they won’t feel uncomfortable using them out in public spaces because most people don’t understand what these types of ostomy appliances look like unless they’re familiar with them already.
Nutrition
Nutrition is an important part of the senior’s life. It can help them maintain their health and live a longer life. Assisted Living team can assist with nutrition in several ways:
- They can help residents manage their diet, including helping to sort through food options and distinguishing between healthy foods and unhealthy foods.
- They can also ensure that your loved one has enough food at all times, including snacks if needed. This is especially helpful for those who have trouble getting out of bed or are confined to a wheelchair or other mobility devices like a walker or cane.
- Finally, they can offer advice on how to eat better, so your loved one maintains a healthy lifestyle while they age.
