Article Contents
Introduction
Assisted Living homes allow you to live your best life with your own living space, but you are provided the additional help you need with your everyday activities. These facilities aim to provide private living spaces for residents, but with additional services such as assistance with medication, bathing, cleaning, dining, and others depending on your needs. In other words, it provides the additional assistance you may need to enjoy your otherwise autonomous life. So, you may need to Move to Assisted Living.
Assisted Living minimizes your need for relocation and commute because it accommodates for certain less demanding medical treatments and also provides a sense of community and togetherness within the location. You can age in place here, until a point in your life when a Nursing Home may provide you the more intensive care that you may need.
If you’d like to know more about the services offered in Assisted Living facilities, the costs, and methods of covering the costs, check out our comprehensive web article on Assisted Living.
Top 7 Reasons to Move to Assisted Living
Is it time for you or a loved one to consider assisted living? There can be many benefits to making this move. Here are the top seven reasons to move to assisted living:
1. You will have your own space without the unnecessary hassle of doing everything by yourself.
Living in your home where you’ve lived all your life may make you feel comfortable. You’re in a known place with fond memories attached. However, mowing the lawn, doing the dishes, washing your clothes, can all be a hassle and takes up a lot of the time you’d rather spend doing something you enjoy.
Assisted Living or Senior Living allows you to clear out your schedule and do things that you actually love more during your day. You will not have to bear the responsibility for calling the plumber, repairing the broken doorknob, or buying light bulbs and fixing the radiator ever again! You’ll also find relief from the added responsibilities of repairs and maintenance and the upkeep of your new home. These will be handled by the Assisted Living facility on your behalf while you immerse yourself in community activities, on walks, in your favorite hobbies, trips, and other activities.
Furthermore, you will not have to bear the additional costs that come with keeping your own home, including medical expense taxes and other maintenance costs. The monthly fees you pay include taking care of all the excess baggage and responsibilities.
Depending on your facility, you will have your own flat, lodge, or room with an attached bathroom, or even a landed house, and you’ll have people assisting you with your daily medications, cleaning and bathing, dressing, dining, and other daily activities you may need some assistance in.
2. You don’t have to worry about forgetting to take your medicine or overdosing ever again.
Ensuring that you have taken your medications on time, in the right dosage, can be a tedious and routine chore. You might forget to take your pills, or worse, overdose on them. Absent-mindedness is natural and therefore, there are special nurses within the community taking away that burden from you. They will take care of your medication management and make sure that you’re following the instructions and recommendations as prescribed by your doctor.
One of the main responsibilities Assisted Living or Senior Living communities will take on your behalf is to care for your physical health. Nurses and staff will supervise your medication, the routine lifestyle, and your rest and consumption. You can rest assured that you will be in good hands.
3. You don’t have to worry about cooking anymore, and the food you’ll get tastes great.
Not only do you not have to worry about buying groceries, cleaning and disinfecting them, cooking, and then cleaning up after yourself, you will also benefit from a fine dining experience with a wide variety of dishes, depending on your unique dietary requirements.
For example, if you have restrictions on certain foods because you’re allergic, you’ll be get a menu that accommodates these restrictions. Also, there will be an item in the menu appropriate for you. If you’re diabetic or have high cholesterol problems, you will be provided with foods low in sugar, carbs, and saturated fats.
All these arrangements take away a lot of hassle when it comes to managing your consumption, especially when you’ll have to maintain a lot of restrictions and recommendations as prescribed by your doctor. When you move into an Assisted Living facility, the management will consider your medical background before prescribing a diet plan for you.
4. You don’t have to worry about your burglaries or fires ever again.
Safety and security are of the utmost priority in an Assisted Living facility. All the apartments and vulnerable locations in the community include fire alarms, fire extinguishers, and security cameras. The community is usually protected with physical barriers to entry and exit without permission. Trained security staff and nurses are available in appropriate areas to oversee the smooth running of daily activities, act to prevent emergencies, and prevent trespassers.
Your belongings will be in safe hands, and you can remain reassured that harm will not come in your way as you’ll be in supervised surroundings 24/7.
5. You won’t ever bump into things, or climb uncomfortable stairs again.
A lot of Assisted Living communities or Senior Living communities are designed and built with the resident’s comfort in mind. There are maps and signboards at every corner of the community to help seniors navigate their ways.
Not only that, but there are paths consciously designed to not have narrow and complicated twists and turns so that seniors find it easier to explore the community without feeling confused about where to go.
Stairs are not narrow on steep, but rather wide and flat. This helps people not feel inhibited to use them. Halls and common areas are L-shaped in design most of the time. This allows the areas to be easy to navigate, and not congest. It creates a cozy environment for seniors to settle into.
6. You’ll have fun activities and travel arranged for you and at your doorstep.
Not only is your new home a safe environment, but you’ll also benefit from a wide variety of fun assisted living activities and options for travel and exploration.
For example, you can attend community activities such as bingo nights, dance classes, meditation, reading, prayer, as well as simple get-togethers to chat and enjoy a drink. Most of these activities will be arranged in a schedule and there will be a trained staff conducting them with you in groups.
Not only will there be classes and activities designed to teach you something new while you enjoy yourself at the same time, but you’ll also have access to opportunities to travel to local museums, libraries, exhibits, and other attractions. The community will arrange the trip there and back. And you will have the opportunity to explore these places with like-minded people alongside you.
7. You’ll have good company, as well as your right to privacy, simultaneously.
At some point in our lives, we want to have our own space on our own terms. It is a luxury after a lifetime of working and providing for our family. Assisted Living gives you this right, as well as the right to make new friends.
You’ll have the privacy to do the things you like, buy the things you need online, and enjoy the things you prefer to do alone, like reading a book or painting. Nobody will force you into every single group activity but the community will welcome you whenever you want to enjoy some good company. This allows you to socialize on your own terms while enjoying your time on your own as well.
In summary
Assisted Living is a suitable option for seniors who want to live independently but require some help with certain everyday tasks. Find out if it’s time for you to consider Assisted Living. Our experienced senior advisors can even guide you! Assisted Living communities vary in their cost and range of services provided all over the United States, but their core amenities are largely the same.
If you decide to Move to Assisted Living, contact us and we’ll put you together with one of your expert advisers, free of charge. Browse all the essential information and contact information of thousands of Assisted Living communities in our BoomersHub directory. The guidance we provide you is completely free and we receive a small commission from the Assisted Living community you eventually choose to move into.
Conclusion
If you are finding it harder and harder to take care of yourself or live on your own, it might be time to consider moving into an assisted living facility. The benefits of assisted living are many: social activity, security, convenience, access to care and more. These are some of the top reasons to make the move and enjoy a high quality of life.
Check out some related articles from our blog that might be helpful for you or a senior loved one:
FAQs
How much does assisted living cost?
The cost of assisted living varies depending on the city you live in, the type of care you need, and the size of the assisted living community. However, the average cost for a private room in an assisted living community is $4500 per month, according to the Genworth Cost of Care Survey.
When to move from assisted living to nursing home?
The decision to move from assisted living to a nursing home should be based on the individual’s health condition and needs. In general, however, a move may be necessary when the individual can no longer safely live on their own or requires more extensive care they might move to a nursing home.
What does assisted living provide?
The most common services offered in assisted living are personal care services, which can include help with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, and grooming; medication management; and transportation. Other services may include social and recreational activities, meals and nutrition counseling, housekeeping and laundry service, and 24-hour emergency response.
Will Medicare pay for assisted living?
Medicare does not pay for assisted living facilities. It only covers the medically essential expenses while the senior is living in an assisted living facility.
What is the difference between assisted living and nursing home?
Assisted living is a type of community-based care that provides help with activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, and grooming. Nursing home care, on the other hand, is more intensive and typically provides a higher level of medical care for people who need around-the-clock supervision and support due to a serious illness or injury.
Who qualifies for VA benefits for assisted living?
The Veterans Affairs department offers benefits for assisted living to veterans who meet certain criteria. The veteran must have been honorably discharged from the military, has served at least 90 days of active duty, and is 65 years of age or older to receive the benefits.
