January is the perfect time to reflect and consider how to optimise your relative’s senior care plan for the year ahead. Residential assisted living is an appealing option for many seniors, striking the ideal balance between independence and compassionate care. But with ever-expanding options from home health to 24/7 nursing care, making the right choice can be challenging.
What Is Residential Assisted Living?
Residential assisted living is a type of senior care in which residents receive round-the-clock support with activities of daily living (ADLs) like medication management, getting dressed, using the bathroom, and showering. This support is delivered in a home-like setting that allows seniors to retain as much independence as possible. Residential assisted living does not usually include 24/7 nursing care and is, therefore, best suited to seniors who do not have complex medical needs.
What Are The Benefits of Residential Senior Living?
Residential assisted living can enhance seniors’ day-to-day lives in several ways. These varied benefits span from compassionate care, improved health, and increased safety to social connection and financial support. Let’s explore just a few of the most prominent residential assisted living benefits that can enhance the quality of life in retirement.
Health Benefits
If seniors are less able to complete ADLs, their health will inevitably suffer. For example, they may become more vulnerable to dental issues like tooth decay if they cannot brush their teeth. Poor hygiene may lead to discomfort, low self-esteem, and even infection if they struggle with mobility. If a senior can no longer stand to prepare meals, they may not be getting adequate nutrition which can lead to a whole host of avoidable health complications.
A senior’s care community should empower them to complete ADLs independently while offering the support they require. In residential assisted living, seniors can access practical support from professional caregivers throughout the day and night. With this support, seniors can maintain personal hygiene and perform critical daily tasks more easily to boost their physical and mental health.
Moreover, most residential senior living communities know the importance of nutrition in maintaining good health for ageing adults. With three freshly prepared, delicious, and nutritious meals served daily in most senior care communities, residents need no longer worry about being responsible for their own dietary needs.
Safety Benefits
Senior living communities can also vastly improve the safety of residents. Living at home can become much riskier if a senior is experiencing reductions in mobility. With uneven surfaces, staircases, low bathtubs, and trip hazards aplenty to contend with, you may be worried about your loved one suffering a fall or injury at home. If they live alone, this worry may be amplified further.
Residential assisted living facilities are specially designed and adapted to make self-care, socialising, moving around, and eating easier and safer for seniors. And with trained professional caregivers on-site around the clock, family caregivers can sleep easy knowing their loved one always has help at hand.
Social Benefits
It’s not uncommon for seniors to feel that their social life diminishes as they age. For those who have lost a spouse, siblings, or close friends during retirement and those with a medical condition or mobility issues that make it difficult to leave the house, this may be felt even more strongly.
The best residential senior living facilities have excellent community spirit and present constant opportunities for residents to naturally connect with others. And with activities typically available on-site, seniors can enjoy an active and varied social life without having to leave the comfort of familiar, accessible spaces and supportive caregivers.
Practical Benefits
Maintaining a home is fraught with challenges, and the demands of homeowning can become overwhelming for seniors. In a senior care community, residents are relieved of the responsibilities of home maintenance and repairs – their new home will be kept clean, fresh, and functioning for them.
Housekeeping and laundry services are often included in fees (or available as an extra). With daily errands and maintenance taken care of by staff members, residents can enjoy hobbies, relax, attend necessary appointments, or socialise with friends and family.
Financial Benefits
Moving to residential assisted living can also financially benefit seniors and family caregivers. In senior care, residents are typically provided with all meals and snacks, reducing the need to spend money on groceries. And with home maintenance taken care of, they also need no longer worry about paying for cleaning, decorating, or repairs. Living in a senior care community with meals, utilities, WiFi, and cable included can also help simplify finances for seniors who feel overwhelmed by the complexities of bills and financial management.
To discover even more of the varied benefits a move to residential assisted living in Hendersonville could offer you or your loved one in 2023, explore our website or give us a call to arrange a tour.