The time has come to make a hard decision: You have to move your loved one out of their home and into managed care.
The outlook may seem bleak, but it doesn’t have to be. Gone are the days of dingy hospital rooms and depressing nursing homes. So, what are the other options available?
Assisted living is a great alternative that you should consider. Want to learn more? Here is a guide to assisted living and elderly care tips.
What is Assisted Living?
Assisted living is a broad definition for communities that offer a variety of resources. Residents of assisted living communities are not always older folks.
Even though it is one of many senior care solutions, assisted living can be beneficial for people of all ages with disabilities or developmental delays.
Assisted living provides services such as memory care, short-term care, and long-term, stable living situations for seniors who may need a little bit of extra help.
Assisted Living Benefits
There are many advantages to moving your loved one into an assisted living community. Here are just a few:
Safety
When your loved one is at home alone, do you worry about them constantly? They may leave the stove on, not notice a gas leak, or simply wander off on their own and not know how to find their way back.
These fears are nonexistent when it comes to assisted living. These types of communities have many safety measures in place so residents can feel relaxed and secure.
For instance, in memory care wings, the security protocol is tailored to patients with dementia. There may be stricter measures in place to prevent residents from escaping.
For relatively independent residents, these checks might be as simple as programming the stove so they can’t turn it on when they are alone.
Individualized Care
You can rest easy knowing your loved one will get the care they need in an assisted living community.
Individualized care is a hallmark feature of these types of living situations. Depending on the level of care required, your loved one can receive help with daily tasks, such as bathing, dressing, and medication management.
The care plan may need to be reevaluated regularly to make sure the services meet your loved one’s needs.
Transportation
If your aging loved one can no longer drive, they may feel restricted in their movement. It can be difficult to do things they love without access to reliable transportation.
Luckily, an assisted living community can provide transportation to all of their favorite activities.
These communities have vehicles such as buses and shuttles to take residents to many different places, such as casinos, free events, restaurants, and museums.
You won’t have to give your loved one rides everywhere and they can still feel a sense of independence and autonomy.
In addition, many assisted living services have security measures in place to account for residents who use their transportation services.
A Social Community
One thing seniors struggle with is loneliness. When they retire, and the children move out of the house, it can often feel isolating and depressing to stay at home.
Assisted living communities have the social aspect of life built right in. There are numerous opportunities for residents to make friends who share their common interests.
For instance, if your loved one is a military veteran, you may be able to connect with others who served in the armed forces. This sense of camaraderie can have a positive impact on mood and overall health.
Finding the Right Facility
Once you choose to put your loved one in an assisted living community, you have to find the perfect fit. It may feel overwhelming now, but you can make the right decision using these factors.
Cost
Cost is probably the biggest determinant of which type of assisted living community your loved one will end up in. Assisted living can be costly, but you don’t have to worry right away. You may have more assets than you realize.
For example, your loved one can likely sell their home once they move into assisted care. This will generate a large lump sum, especially if their mortgage is paid off. You can invest the money into safe options and use it to pay for assisted living.
You should also factor in elements such as pension income, Social Security benefits, liquidating other assets, and family assistance.
Meet with the assisted living community team to determine the average monthly cost. Remember, you may also need to pay more in the future if your loved one requires additional help.
Location
If you’re used to your loved one being close, try to find an assisted living community that is not too far from where you live. You should try and visit them often and help them adjust to their new life.
To narrow down the options in your area, use a map application or website and set a radius from your location. You can then see all of the places within an easy driving distance.
Services Offered
Although every assisted living community offers the same basic service package, there may be amenities that stand out. You may discover that these types of benefits are worth a longer drive or extra cost.
For example, here at Greenwood Place, pets are allowed in all of our units. This means that your loved one can bring their furry friend with them for both comfort and company.
Use This Guide to Assisted Living
If you think assisted living is the right option for your loved one, we’re here to help. With this guide to assisted living, you can make an informed choice.
Greenwood Place Assisted Living & Memory Care can be the partner you need to bring you some peace of mind. We specialize in assisted living, memory care, and short-term care. Our team of professional caregivers can help you decide what’s best for your loved one.
Are you looking for assisted living options in the Marrietta, GA area? Reach out to us today with any questions you may have, or to schedule a tour.
