The key goal of an independent living community is to promote as much independence as possible while providing assistance whenever necessary. If you are wondering when is the right time to leave independent living for assisted living, here are some factors that you can consider to help you make a well-informed decision.
Assisted Living Community
The following are the series of services offered by an assisted living community:
- Accommodation
- Health-related care
- Meals
- Social activities
- Personal care and support
Why Leave Independent Living for Assisted Living?
Assisted living communities are ideal for older adults who need extra help with daily living activities but do not require nursing care. As the needs of society change over time, the costs and scope of senior living services also change to meet the unique needs of the aging population. If you are looking to plan for the future, it is recommended to find a community that is associated with memory care and nursing. Every assisted living community varies in terms of size, services, type, cost, and even infrastructure.
Services Offered by Assisted Living Communities
When it comes to services, some assisted living communities only provide meals and assistance with housekeeping, grooming, dressing, and other daily living activities. Other services may include transportation and basic health services. The infrastructure of assisted living communities also differs from community to community which may come in the forms of individual homes or high-rise apartments. The living areas may also vary in floor plans which can range from whole apartments to individual rooms. Meals are often served in a common dining hall where residents can socialize with their neighbors.
When to Leave Independent Living for Assisted Living?
The idea of becoming more restricted in our abilities is not something thrilling to think about but we need to factor in how it can affect our health. Many older adults are stubborn and will cling onto their current situation where they feel most comfortable and familiar even if it is not the most ideal situation. It is naturally difficult for many older adults to change but sometimes change is not necessarily a bad thing. It can in fact be the best thing for everyone involved. Assisted living is a complicated subject and many things need to be factored in when making a move there.
Assisted living is ideal for older adults who:
- Have difficulties managing domestic finances
- Suffer from loneliness and isolation
- Have difficulties with mobility or medical conditions
- Have trouble with household chores or house maintenance
The most unfortunate and saddest scenario is losing a spouse. All of the physical and emotional burdens will fall on the older adult who remains behind. In this case, moving toward the assisted living path is definitely an ideal choice.
Another common scenario is when an older adult is hit with several medical conditions that are severe and need specialized care. These conditions include osteoarthritis, Parkinson’s, and macular degeneration. These diseases will get worse and the need for specialized care will increase each day.
The third scenario which is becoming even more common in the community is older adults experiencing memory-related conditions like Alzheimer’s and dementia. An increasing number of assisted living communities now offers memory care programs which provide specialized care to this group of individuals.
