Finding the right support as you age is essential to your health and well-being, but where do you begin? If you have been considering a move to assisted living, read on to learn more about the services and possibilities available to you.
What types of assisted living support are available?
Personalized Support To Maximize Independence
Assisted living is meant to promote independence while providing the help you need when and how you need it. Since everyone is different, the necessary amount of care is different, too. That’s why our care team works closely with residents and their families to ensure we provide an optimal balance of support, especially as needs change over time.
Personal Hygiene Assistance
As we age, certain tasks can become more difficult. Something that once seemed simple, like brushing your hair or buttoning a blouse, may feel frustrating as joints and muscles change over time. This is where your care team can step in to provide the support you need. From toileting to dressing and beyond, compassionate and highly trained caregivers are available to help keep you safe and healthy.
Help With Daily Living Activities
Similar to hygiene, normal household tasks like chopping vegetables or reaching something off of a high shelf can become challenging and possibly dangerous with age. In an assisted living community, caregivers offer the help you need to keep doing the things you want to and need to do safely and simply. Some regular tasks, like house cleaning and laundry, are often included for residents at no additional cost. Check with your preferred senior living community to find out what specific services are available to you.
What does daily life look like in an assisted living community?
Enjoy a Vibrant Social Calendar
Feel more connected than ever before with plenty of events and activities just steps away from your front door. Some activities, like art or fitness classes, occur regularly while other events, like a themed dinner or live music concert, happen as more of a special occasion. There are also planned group excursions to explore the surrounding community where reservations and transportation are provided for you. The best part is that you can choose how you spend your time to maximize joy and truly experience retirement as it should be.
Meals Cooked For You
No more meal prepping or dish washing! In assisted living, chefs prepare meals in the dining room for residents to enjoy. Many communities, like Arbor Terrace Glenview, have a menu that is similar to offerings you would encounter at a restaurant. Some seasonal dishes rotate while other classic favorites tend to remain on the menu
Hassle-Free Living
Truly embrace the extra time retirement provides with the services and amenities offered in assisted living. Housekeeping, laundry, concierge, and scheduled transportation services are just a few of the significant advantages of senior living. Many communities also have on-site fitness gyms, hair and nail salons, movie theaters, game rooms, and more. Almost everything you could need or want is right at your fingertips.
How can families help their loved ones in assisted living?
Plan Regular Visits
This is likely the single most important way you can help your loved one once they have become a resident of an assisted living community. Just like before, spending quality time together is an essential part of maintaining any relationship, even more so as we age. You can still play board games, watch movies, go on a walk, or even join in a group activity on campus together. No matter what you do, simply spending time together is a beautiful gift of its own.
Send Care Packages and Letters
Sometimes in-person visits are not possible as frequently as you may like. During these in-between times, it can still be meaningful to send heartfelt notes and care packages filled with something special for your loved one. Maybe you send their favorite candy for Valentine’s Day or simply send a note with a hand drawn picture from their grandchild. Every little act of kindness keeps you connected and keeps your loved one feeling remembered and important.
Communicate With the Care Team Consistently
Keeping your loved one healthy and safe is our top priority. That’s why we encourage families to be an active part of our care planning process. If you notice changes in your loved one’s behavior or develop concern for their abilities as time goes on, our team is here to listen and to help. By building positive relationships with the care team from the beginning, it will be easier to continue to communicate with them about your loved one as time goes on.
Still have questions about assisted living?
The journey to senior living is different for everyone. If you or your loved one is having difficulty with daily tasks or feeling socially isolated, it may be time to contemplate the move to assisted living.
From logistics to financial planning, there are many details to consider when thinking about this change. Some seniors worry about the transition of leaving their familiar living space behind, while others are nervous about the impending costs of aging or how to tell if a senior living community has quality care and accommodations. All of those concerns are normal and valid. Additionally, it can be tricky to know what to look for when searching for assisted living and how to accurately compare communities.
That’s why we’ve created the Complete Guide to Assisted Living to help you make the most informed choice as you move forward with planning for the future. Download your free guide today and finally find out the truth about moving to assisted living.
