Due to improvements in health-care facilities and advancements in the medical field, the world is witnessing an increase in the global elderly population. To provide quality living for the elderly, more retirement homes and assisted living centers are available these days.
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Not only do these facilities provide a quality lifestyle, but they also offer a chance for the elderly to interact with people of their age group. In addition to this, assisted living facilities provide 24/7 emergency care for people with special needs.
Assisted living is different from nursing homes, where people require 24/7 support for physical and mental ailments and illnesses. Hence, it may seem more like a hospital than a home. In contrast, assisted living provides a homely environment, and most residents stay there temporarily.
Some of the regular services provided by retirement homes are as follows:
- Regular meals
- Housekeeping and maintenance (including cleaning and laundry)
- Medical facilities
- Recreation
Apart from the basic facilities, there are many other services afforded by assisted living. These are as follows:
Furnished apartments and living quarters
The residents have access to private or shared living quarters, which they can personalize to feel like a home, according to their needs. The living areas are fully furnished to suit a resident’s lifestyle.
Home-like environment
Assisted living provides a comfortable environment for the residents and makes sure that the elderly are well-adjusted. In addition to this, people can set up their living space as they deem fit. Hence, assisted living is more like a home than a medical facility.
This is one of the biggest selling points as you consider how to talk with parents about assisted living.
Wellness programs and recreational activities
Assisted living is all about ensuring that the elderly have a community. For this purpose, recreational activities are conducted regularly, such as entertainment, games, hobbies, and wellness programs.
Respect and hospitality
Assisted living centers ensure that the people living there are treated with respect and hospitality. Moreover, the staff must take care of all the residents, whether they require emotional or physical support.
Medical staff
In an assisted living facility, the elderly also have access to medical facilities, including medical staff and nurses. The people may require assistance in taking medication, or they may need supervision. Hence, the workers are responsible for the resident’s health as well. Contrary to a nursing home, assisted living may not have close monitoring of a resident’s health. The medical staff also ensures that the residents take their medication on time.
Safety measures
Maintaining the safety of the residents is a priority of assisted living. Hence, in some places, security alarms and other safety measures are taken.
Community
The purpose of assisted living is to provide a sense of community. The residents are not dependent on others. Another reason why it is popular among the elderly is that it offers them a sense of purpose and makes them feel valued. In assisted living, the well-being of each resident is looked after. The place is purpose-built to support the elderly community.
Whenever a new senior housing development is planned, the community is first and foremost in mind. It’s planned to suit the needs of the consumers and target market.
Also, the staff hired in a retirement home is skilled with the requisite training and certifications to cater to the requirements of the residents. When choosing assisted living for the elderly, you need to consider the points mentioned above. You must make sure that the staff is accommodating and that the other residents are welcoming.
Conclusion
The stigma around assisted living, retirement homes, and nursing homes prevent the care that the elderly need. Not only do these places, specifically assisted living, provide a community to the elderly, but it also ensures that their needs are being met by professional staff regularly. Although people in assisted living do not require close monitoring, the workers ensure that the residents are physically and emotionally fit.
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