The benefits of moving your aging relatives to a senior living facility
There are several factors to take into account when considering assisted living, for example, the physical health and mental capacities of your relative, their personal preferences, your family’s financial situation, and your own personal life circumstances. It’s vital to note that choosing to move an elderly relative into a senior living facility does not mean that you have failed or are letting them down. Far from it, in fact. Assisted living can provide your loved one with a higher quality of life in their later years, ensuring they receive all the care that they require in a living environment that is safe and secure. This is especially true if they require specialist medical attention or supervision around the clock.
At the end of the day, the decision to move your aging relative to a senior living facility is a personal one for you and your family to make. However, there are a number of benefits you can expect from them as a result. We discuss a few of these below in the hope it will reassure you that you will be making the best decision for everyone concerned when the time comes to take this option.
Flexible options
The first factor to bear in mind is that there are lots of different options available when it comes to senior living facilities. Those who are still mobile and have few healthcare needs can retain a high level of independence without worrying about the hassle of tasks such as household chores. If your relative needs a greater level of assistance, then that can be provided too. As their requirements change and more care is needed, they can transition to a more thorough level of support. This helps to make the transition easier and means that your elderly relative can continue to live as independently as possible for as long as possible.
A safe living environment
One of the issues we’re often most concerned about when it comes to our aging relatives living alone is safety. For example, we sometimes hear horror stories about scammers targeting the elderly or older people having falls at home and being unable to call for help. Of course, there are steps you can take to enable your mom or dad to live at home for longer – these include installing handrails in the bathroom, fitting a stairlift, widening doorways, getting rid of clutter, and so on. However, eventually, the risk might be too great for them to live alone. This is a particular issue for those who are suffering from dementia or similar conditions, which can cause people to wander off on their own into potentially hazardous situations.
At an assisted living facility such as Belmont Senior Living, there are trained staff on hand 24/7 to provide support for all the residents in their care. This includes handling daily tasks such as cooking, laundry, and cleaning and keeping an eye on everyone to make sure they don’t get lost or end up in difficulties. Plus, of course, the buildings and all their furnishings are designed with older people in mind, so you can rest assured that your relative will be comfortable.
Access to specialist medical care
If your elderly relative requires specialist medical attention, moving them to a senior living facility is one of the best ways to ensure that all those needs are met. This is particularly true when you cannot provide that help yourself, or having a nurse visit them at home is no longer feasible. If your family member has a chronic condition such as diabetes or arthritis, you can feel confident that there will always be someone to make sure they are taking their medication and receiving any treatment necessary. Plus, for more debilitating diseases such as Alzheimer’s, there are often specially-trained professionals on-site to provide dedicated care and therapies.
Even if they don’t have a specific health complaint, you can rest assured that your relative will be receiving healthy and nutritious meals every day when they live at one of these facilities. Plus, there will be exercise classes and other activities available to help make sure they are staying as physically fit as possible. Both of these are critical for a high quality of life. Finally, having medical staff always available means that if something goes wrong (for example, your relative has a fall or a heart attack), someone is guaranteed to be on hand to help.
Lots of opportunities for social interaction
Loneliness and social isolation are among the most serious problems that older people in the US face and can lead to an increased risk of serious health conditions and even death. That’s why one of the biggest benefits of living in a senior living facility is actually the opportunities it provides for social interaction. When your mom or dad lives in one of these facilities, they will have access to a program of group activities with other people of their age. This could include anything from gentle exercise classes, arts and crafts workshops, fun social events and parties, and even excursions to nearby places of interest.
Activities such as these can have an extremely positive impact on health and wellbeing, helping to boost mood, ward off conditions such as anxiety and depression, and introduce a sense of purpose to the day. It can also help to stave off cognitive decline and dementia by keeping the brain active. Plus, of course, it’s fun! The programs that facilities run mean residents don’t have to give up their existing hobbies and can be a great chance for them to pick up a new one too.
