It can be easy to dwell on the things you give up when moving out of your house, but there are plenty of things you gain by moving to an assisted living community. The right community can provide round-the-clock care tailored to your needs and a built-in community and social life without all the stress that comes with maintaining a home and taking care of monotonous daily chores. Here are just a few of the benefits of assisted living:
1. Assistance Tailored to Your Needs
Assisted living communities can provide the exact level of care that you want and need, which means you can maintain maximum independence while preserving your health and safety. Whether you need assistance taking medications and preparing meals, or help bathing and getting around town, the staff can adjust to your needs.
And if the facility offers dementia care, it comes with additional assurance that they will be able to assist you if you begin to develop dementia in the future. Communities that provide a continuum of care allow you or your loved one to easily transition if necessary without the stress of moving to a different location.
2. Fewer Everyday Stressors
Maintaining a home and living independently can sometimes be more trouble than it’s worth. From keeping the place clean and repairing the leaky faucet to doing all the cooking and mowing the lawn, living on your own can be exhausting and stressful. At an assisted living community, you no longer have to do any of that if you don’t want to.
The best communities offer gourmet, restaurant-style dining with food that can be tailored to your tastes and dietary restrictions, as well as transportation services to help you get around town. And if you decide to sell your home, you no longer have to worry about the associated costs of homeownership, such as utility bills, home repairs, and property taxes.
3. A Built-In Community
Perhaps the best part of assisted living is the built-in community it can provide. Especially for seniors who have been living alone, that sense of community can be a welcome change of pace. Most assisted living communities have events and activities calendars, with options ranging from art and history classes to yoga and outings at area restaurants and attractions. Having the opportunity to learn a new skill or chat with a neighbor over breakfast can make an ordinary day much more interesting. Plus, research shows that warding off loneliness can be good for your health.
4. Peace of Mind for Your Loved Ones
If you are living on your own and struggling to manage everything, your loved ones are probably at least a little worried about you. Assisted living communities can provide 24-hour care to residents in case of any medical emergencies, which means peace of mind for both you and your loved ones.
And though many family members are more than happy to care for their loved ones as they age, taking care of a parent on top of everything else can drain your physical and emotional reserves. It can also shift the balance of the relationship. Some seniors may feel guilty or embarrassed about leaning too heavily on their family members, leading to frustration on both sides. Assisted living communities manage all of your essential needs, allowing you to savor every moment you have with your friends and family and do the things you enjoy most.
Finding the Right Community for You or Your Loved One
If you’ve decided that an assisted living community is the best move for you or your loved one, you’ve taken the first step on a journey to finding a place that fits everyone’s needs. To find out everything you need to know about the differences among assisted living care, costs, benefits, and much more, check out our “Complete Guide to Assisted Living.”
