Weighing the costs and benefits of moving to assisted living in TN can be long and complex. When considering a move to senior care – whether assisted living, residential assisted living, or nursing care, independence is often a key concern for seniors and families alike. And while senior care can give aging adults access to 24/7 care, worries about loss of independence and autonomy are common.
On the contrary, a good senior care facility can afford seniors just as much (or even more) independence than they previously had at home. Senior living teams have a deep understanding of the importance of independence for seniors; feeling in control of one’s own life may facilitate greater feelings of wellbeing, confidence, and life satisfaction. As such, residential assisted living communities strive to empower residents to maintain independence throughout their retirement.
What are the Benefits of Promoting Independence for Seniors?
The benefits of supporting seniors to maintain a sense of independence are aplenty and can include the following:
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- Improved physical and mental health.
- Increased sense of purpose.
- Better quality of life.
- Boosted confidence.
Here are five vital ways communities like New Hope Senior Living help seniors stay independent and in control of their own lifestyle.
1. Encouraging Autonomy with Flexible Care Plans
In residential assisted living, care plans are personalized to each resident’s unique needs. A trained professional caregiver will conduct a detailed assessment to identify areas where a resident needs support. Professional caregivers empower seniors to carry out activities of daily living (ADLs) as independently as possible. As a resident’s needs and preferences evolve, care plans can be reviewed and adapted to meet their current wishes, ensuring safety and independence are consistently provided in equal measure. Daily, professional caregivers strive to give residents a choice in how they spend their days.
2. Allowing for the Personalization of Spaces
Residential assisted living facilities encourage residents to customize their own space. The degree to which customization is possible will depend on the space available, but regardless of how small or large your or your loved one’s room is, you can make it feel like home. Displaying family photos, artwork, or cherished ornaments and decorations can significantly boost feelings of independence and individuality. In communities where residents have larger, private rooms, seniors may even be able to bring their furniture if they wish
3. Offering Choices of Activities and Meals
Choice is vital to help seniors stay independent during retirement. Senior care communities often facilitate choice by providing various options at mealtimes that cater to different tastes and offering a range of activities that suit a whole host of hobbies and interests. Activities vary from one community to the next. Still, they may include physical activity classes like yoga, aerobics, nature walks, spiritual groups, arts and crafts, or even therapeutic activities like pet therapy, music therapy, or mindfulness.
4. Accessible Design for Independence with ADLs
Many seniors find it increasingly difficult to move around home to complete vital ADLs as they age. With reduced mobility, obstacles like stairs, bathtubs, and uneven surfaces pose a health and safety risk. They may hinder a senior’s ability to complete vital daily tasks with the autonomy they desire. Residential assisted living facilities are expertly adapted for the health and safety of senior residents. With these adaptations (like grab bars, roll-in showers, and elevators), seniors are often better able to complete ADLs independently than they would have been able to at home.
5. Encouraging residents to use their unique skills.
All assisted living facilities should strive to recognize their residents as the wonderful individuals they are, with varied skills, passions, and hobbies and a lifetime of stories to tell. Senior care should allow residents to continue doing what they love and enjoy. For example, suppose a resident worked in catering for many years. In that case, they may like to help serve lunches, or a resident who loves flower arranging or tending to their garden might wish to assist with landscaping or gardening for their community. Nurturing the unique skills of residents can help them maintain a great sense of purpose, fulfillment, and life satisfaction throughout retirement.
The right assisted living community will allow you or your senior loved one to remain empowered and independent while also providing the perfect level of care. At New Hope, our senior caregivers are expertly trained and experienced in promoting choice and independence every day, while also protecting resident safety. With a great staff to resident ratio, we have the time to help residents complete ADLs as independently as possible to increase confidence, dignity, and sense of purpose.
Call us to arrange a guided tour if you want to determine how we prioritize our residents’ independence and autonomy.