Caregivers are often confused about whether to move their loved ones to senior living or just let them age at home. A decision between both options becomes more needed when assistance with the daily activities of your loved one increases. However, these benefits of assisted living vs at home will help you settle on choosing an assisted living:
Service and Suites-Style
Living in an assisted living community is similar to living at home. Your loved ones will have access to their private or semi-private suites. The suites will contain a bathroom, bedroom, and kitchenette. Although, the style of suits might be different for each resident.
They are assisted with daily activities like bathing, eating, dressing, and grooming. The team members also help them to actively participate in social activities and education. In addition, they are provided with meals three times a day.
Everything needed at home including nursing care and a secure environment is in these centers. While you might think they can access these services at home, the question is whether you can always meet up with the provision. With time, it will become more overwhelming and your physical and mental health might suffer from it.
Transportation
Mobility is important for older adults, aging in isolation has a lot of damaging effects on their mental health. Additionally, transportation is important for their independence. Most of these retirement communities offer concierge services for package deliveries and errand services for your loved ones.
More importantly, transportation services to meet up with their appointments. Asides from helping them move around easily, as caregivers you will have time to cater to your needs knowing your older loved one is safe.
Social Events and Activities
This is one of the greatest advantages of senior living. These centers are more focused on helping your loved ones increase their social interaction. While your loved ones might be feeling independent at home. What happens when they can no longer visit friends or even have someone to talk to? Your loved one might suffer depression as a result of isolation from independent living.
Retirement communities are created to help your loved ones find their place in the big community. There are social events and activities to help them stay active all day. In addition, they have neighbors to share their day with.
Personal Care
Over time, a lot of things change in older adults. Their cognitive abilities weaken while their physical strength diminishes. This happens without you and your loved ones knowing. However, assisted living centers are created to help your loved ones adjust to these changes easily.
Your loved ones can wake up in the morning and suddenly be unable to bathe, dress appropriately and even eat meals themselves. In addition, there might suddenly need for a daily reminder about their medications. As a caregiver, keeping up with these responsibilities might later become tiring and exhausting. Aging in a retirement community will allow them to handle these daily tasks effortlessly.
Independence
Assisted living offers a convenient pathway for you and your loved ones to achieve independence. The community is structured to ensure residents decide what they want to do. They can participate freely in activities and also engage with people during these activities.
People living in these centers have more opportunities for social outings than people living at home.
