Assisted living
communities are just one of the kinds of residential living options that you
may look into as you age and plan for the future. There are many amenities and
services that they offer to help create a safe, engaging, and secure community
where you can maintain your independence, receive a high level of support, and
participate in many activities and events. Here are just a couple of the basics
about assisted living communities, who they are for, and why you might choose
them.
What is a senior living community?
Senior living
communities can take several different forms. The term is a general name for
the different kinds of residential options available to elderly residents who
can no longer live independently. They include assisted living, independent
living, and memory care, among others. Common features of senior living
communities include fitness centers and gyms, salons, restaurant-style dining
areas, organized transport, common areas, and lively social calendars. With an estimated 47 million seniors in the USA alone, senior living communities are a very common
residential option for many members of the population.
Who are they for?
As you age, it may
be harder to perform certain daily tasks. You may need help with them or
prompting to remember to complete them. This is when senior living options such
as assisted living come in. Your physician or adult care worker will be able to
assess you using a variety of factors, such as your physical and mental health
and how many of these tasks you can complete. The tasks are called the Activities of Daily Living and the Instrumental Activities of Daily
Living and can be used to work out how much care and support you may need, and
therefore what kind of senior living community would best suit you.
What is assisted living?
Assisted living communities have a large emphasis on being a safe and
secure place to live, with many social and enriching activities. Residents
often have private rooms in resort-like accommodation and restaurant-style
dining with great menus. Activities such as fitness classes, cooking demonstrations,
and art classes encourage expression and engagement. There are many different
factors involved in choosing an assisted living facility. For example,
residents at Brightview Bethesda, MD assisted living, say that one
of the biggest factors in choosing an assisted living facility is the overall
community feel and connection to other residents.
Daily tasks such as laundry, housekeeping, and medication management are
assisted by a dedicated team, and the services are personalized to fit the
resident, their requirements, and level of independence. Assisted living may
also be the next option when at-home care is no longer viable. Many people
choose to care for their loved ones at home, either themselves or with an
in-home caregiver. However, there may be a point at which an individual needs
further support than can be offered at home, and senior living communities are
the next step.