When we start to get older, we have to be more concerned about how we live our lives.
People tend to do less strenuous activities, eat less fatty foods, or drink less as they know their bodies can’t handle as much.
With these new concerns comes new challenges, as now you have to consider how you would do things you never considered before.
For some, this just means adjusting their lifestyle, for others, it means doing very little to change their habits, and for others still they need a little more help.
In the final scenario, assisted living comes into play, and it is a wonderful tool to help the elderly in day to day life.
But what is assisted living? Is it a state of being or just a helpful adjustment?
In this article, we will look closer at assisted living and discover the meaning behind the phrase.
What Is Assisted Living?
Assisted living is accommodation that provides assistance with daily living tasks such as bathing, dressing, eating, grooming and moving around.
These are basic needs that all people must deal with on a daily basis, but when getting older, there are many barriers that make these tasks difficult.
Some people may find them too physically demanding and so choose not to do them themselves. Others simply don’t want to because they feel embarrassed by their appearance.
This is where assisted living steps in. It gives those who need physical assistance the opportunity to stay safe and independent while providing the care needed.
There are different types of assisted living facilities available which cater for different levels of support.
The most common type is called “memory care” and is designed specifically for Alzheimer’s patients.
Memory care facilities usually provide 24 hour supervision from staff members and ensure that residents always remain safe.
They also offer companionship and social interaction through regular group activities.
Another option is “assisted living” which includes both memory care and non-memory care options.
A non-memory care facility offers fewer services than a memory care one, but it doesn’t necessarily require a higher level of care.
Assisted living facilities often accept residents without any specific diagnosis, and will assist with everyday activities like personal hygiene, dressing and grooming.
If a resident becomes unable to bathe, dress or groom themselves, then professional carers will be brought in to carry out these tasks for them.
How Does Assisted Living Work?
Assisted living works by giving the person needing the service a choice between two ways of life.
Either the person chooses to keep doing everything themselves, or they choose to delegate certain responsibilities to someone else.
The first way involves the person continuing to live independently within their own home.
They continue doing things like cooking, cleaning, shopping and paying bills. However, they rely on family members or friends to come in and assist with the necessary tasks.
When they feel ready, they rejoin society again, either returning to their old neighborhood, going back to school or starting a new job.
Alternatively, if the person wants additional support, they can move into an assisted living facility.
At assisted living homes, trained professionals will take over some duties and responsibilities of running the house.
For example, they’ll cook meals, clean dishes and laundry, tidy rooms and do grocery shopping.
This means that the person no longer has to do anything themselves. They can sit back and relax, knowing that somebody else will run the household.
Who Uses Assisted Living?
Most people use assisted living after suffering a significant life change mostly due to the decline of their physical health, this can be caused by a stroke, other forms of serious illness, or simply age.
Because of the nature of the illness, its effects can be long-lasting, and so making the transition from hospital back home can be very challenging.
This is why many hospitals have specialized units designed for recovering patients.
Those who are able to return home are transferred to a residential care facility where they receive round the clock care.
For others, the decision to go into assisted living comes after years of struggling with daily chores at home from a diminishing mental capacity.
After being diagnosed with dementia or another condition such as Parkinson’s disease, they find themselves isolated and unable to cope with basic tasks.
It may seem like a good idea to let them stay in familiar surroundings while they recover, but this isn’t always possible.
How Much Does Assisted Living Cost?
Depending on the location, costs vary significantly. Some places charge low rates because they’re located in rural areas.
Others charge high prices because they’re near major cities.
While you won’t get the same quality of care if you move away from a city center, the proximity to your loved ones makes it easier to visit when needed.
If you want to know how much you could expect to pay for assisted living, simply ask around. Talk to your doctor about what is available in your area.
You may also contact local social services offices and look up the average price charged for similar services.
When Should You Consider Assisted Living?
You need to make sure that you don’t wait too late before moving yourself or a close relative into assisted living.
The earlier you start looking for help, the better off you’ll, or they’ll be. Once you’ve been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or any other type of cognitive impairment, there’s no turning back.
The sooner you accept the fact that you need to be cared for, the more options you’ll have in finding a suitable place.
Once you decide to move into an assisted living community, your next step is to talk to the staff and see whether you’d prefer a private room or shared accommodation.
If you choose shared accommodation, you’ll probably share a bedroom with one or two other residents.
Your personal needs and preferences will determine which option you select.
This is a hard adjustment for anyone. However, assisted living cannot only give you a better quality of life, but it can make everything easier for you and give you back some mobility and freedom you lost to your disease.
Conclusion
Assisted living is moving into a situation in which you can be aided in your everyday life.
This is not a bad thing, in fact, it has helped many people gain back freedoms and abilities they lost years earlier.
Considering humans love their freedoms, it can be hard to accept help, but the sooner help is accepted, the better off a person will be.