Atlanta, Georgia, is the busy heart of the New South, boasting a vibrant cinematic community, numerous museums, a historic tradition deeply rooted in the Civil Rights Movement, and virtually infinite dining options. Retiring in Atlanta offers plenty to do, as well as access to public transportation via MARTA and CobbLinc. If your loved one needs more help than you can give them, or you’re feeling overwhelmed by the demands of caregiving, the right assisted living community in Atlanta, Georgia, can offer relief and a chance at a better life. Here are five things you need to know.
Assisted Living Is Not a Nursing Home
Assisted living is distinct from nursing care. In assisted living, a person gets help with activities of daily living, such as feeding themselves or dressing. Nursing care caters to people with complex medical needs, such as those who need IV medication, or help managing spinal injuries.
Consequently, people who choose assisted living tend to be more active and independent. The best assisted living communities cater to this independence with a wide range of activities such as yoga and bingo, special events such as live music, exercise classes, and more.
Assisted Living Can Improve Your Loved One’s Quality of Life
It’s natural to be a little fearful in the face of uncertainty. Perhaps that’s why so many seniors are reluctant to give assisted living a try. Yet assisted living can improve your loved one’s quality of life by making it easier to make friends, try new things, and indulge in a wide range of hobbies.
Many seniors spend much of their day alone, and they struggle to find ways to socialize, exercise, or enjoy their retirement. Assisted living offers everything under one roof, making it easier for your loved one to sculpt the retirement of their dreams.
Assisted Living May Improve Your Relationship
Caregiver burnout can be exhausting and depressing. It may even undermine your health. Transitioning from a spouse, child, relative, or friend to a caregiver fundamentally alters a lot about your life. It can permanently transform your relationship. Some caregivers feel frustrated or resentful. Others feel uncomfortable providing care to someone who once tended to their needs. Most struggle with the inherent imbalance of caregiving.
Assisted living can help restore your relationship to something that feels less stressful and more equal. When you no longer have to worry about supporting your loved one with daily tasks, you can return to enjoying time together. Instead of cooking, ask your loved one about their childhood. Instead of helping with dressing, plan an outing to the Woodruff Arts Center. In time, you may find that you are able to enjoy your relationship more than you ever did.
Assisted Living Is More Affordable Than You Think
Getting old can be expensive, especially if your loved one lives on a fixed income and meager savings. From mounting healthcare costs to the challenges of finding affordable activities, many seniors and their caregivers find themselves overwhelmed by financial struggles. It’s no wonder so many assume that assisted living is out of reach.
Assisted living may actually help you save money. Freed from the expenses of home ownership—and perhaps armed with the proceeds of selling your loved one’s home—you’ll only have to worry about a fixed monthly budget. No more unpleasant surprises in the form of leaky roofs or broken gutters. Long-term care insurance and Medicaid, as well as some other benefit programs, may also fund all or a portion of the costs of assisted living. For help weighing costs, try our cost comparison calculator.
Atlanta Assisted Living Delivers on the Promise of a Meaningful Retirement
What did your loved one dream of for their retirement? No matter their goals, they can find a way to achieve them in Atlanta. Whether they’re traveling north to wine tastings at Chȃteau Élan, spending weekends at Atlanta Symphony Orchestra performances, or volunteering at PAWS Atlanta, there’s truly something for everyone.
The Arbor Company has served Atlanta seniors with exceptional assisted living for more than 30 years. We organize community events, meaningful outings, and even volunteer opportunities for our residents. We would love to talk to you about how to make your loved one’s retirement dreams a reality. Give us a call or attend one of our community events today!
