Originally posted on https://harcourthealth.com/what-is-assisted-living-care-the-only-guide-you-will-need/
You were finally catching up with your work duties when you got the call. It’s dad again, but this time he’s driven into town and doesn’t remember where he is.
It’s disheartening and challenging learning how to cope with the realities of aging. When your loved one is struggling to care for themselves, what are your options?
For many, assisted living care facilities provide the perfect solution. These facilities offer medical care, housing, and supervision, while also encouraging independence. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about assisted living care.
What’s Assisted Living Care?
So, what exactly does assisted living care mean, and what does it involve? Assisted living provides the shelter, medical care, and supervision your loved one needs.
The purpose of assisted living is to help seniors fill the gaps in completing daily tasks. That means assisted living staff will help with:
- Providing meals
- Housekeeping tasks
- Grooming needs
- Medical conditions
- Preventing wandering
Assisted living also means joining the community and facility as a resident. Your loved one will have access to care 24-7, yet they’ll get encouraged to remain as independent as they can.
Benefits of Belonging to a Community
There are a lot of reasons why seniors choose assisting living facilities. Here are a few:
- Reduced responsibility for your loved one to manage daily
- Access to immediate medical care
- Help with daily tasks
- Reduced living expenses
- Privacy and independence
- Prevents isolation and encourages group activities
- Healthy, balanced, and regular meals
- Increased free time for family or recreation
- Greater happiness and meaning
- Reduced ability to wander off
Are you and your loved one thinking about joining an assisted living community? If so, then you’ll want to look into the perks of each facility. Some communities, like Ashford Assisted Living, have beautiful walking gardens and backyards.
Considering Your Options
What do you think the chances are that you’d lose the ability to perform daily tasks? Individuals 65 and older have a 68% probability within the rest of their lifetime. They often lose their abilities due to physical or cognitive issues.
If this statistic hits home, then your family is likely already feeling the struggle. When an aging loved one can’t remain independent anymore, they may not reach out for help. They may not even realize how serious their condition has become.
That’s when you need to start advocating with your loved one. Don’t allow them to suffer alone. Have the difficult conversation with them about their options.
Respecting Your Elders: Taking Care of Your Aging Loved One
Assisted living care can sound intimidating at first. It’s difficult to make the decision to entrust someone else with your loved one’s care. Despite that, your loved one’s needs likely exceed your ability to provide for them.
Do your due diligence and research each facility before coming to a decision.
Are you still unsure about which path to choose? That’s understandable! Continue browsing around our latest articles for even more health-related content and advice.