independent living for seniors

Independent Living Centers: What the Facility and Residents Are Really Like

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Despite the early stages of dementia or problems with mobility, seniors still want to maintain independent living. It gives them a sense of being in control rather than feel helpless and fully dependent on someone else.

 

There are misconceptions that assisted living centers are only for seniors and people with disabilities who can no longer fend for themselves. This is why aging individuals don’t want to live in them.

 

What if we tell you that there is an assisted living community that enables you to maintain independence?

 

An independent living community provides seniors with the freedom they need in their old age in a happy environment and with a culture that fosters having fun and keeping busy and alert.

 

 

Independent Living vs Assisted Living

To ensure there’s no confusion from here on out, you should know the difference between the two.

 

 

Independent Living

  • Residents have their own private dwelling spaces in different housing arrangements
  • Laundry and housekeeping services are provided to minimize the daily responsibilities of a resident
  • May have a centralized hospitality building designed for socialization
  • Typically, not licensed by the federal government or the state, the criteria of residents for independent living communities are more relaxed.
  • Arrange recreations schedules for residents

 

 

Assisted Living

  • Residents live in typical apartment-style units that may or may not have a fully equipped kitchen
  • Staffed by at least one medical professional as most residents will need some form of assistance, including medical-related ones
  • More heavily regulated and has more regulations than independent living. Not everyone qualifies for assisted living. Many government agencies will be involved such as the health department if the community serves meals.
  • Arrange recreations schedules for residents

 

Given the differences, it’s easy to see that seniors living in either facility have varying experiences as well.

 

 

In an independent living center, residents…

  • Enjoy wonderful conversations and form a friendship with people from diverse backgrounds. Residents in such communities come from different walks of life and professions, creating a fun environment for everyone.
  • Enjoy an active lifestyle, engaging in different activities that make senior living exciting. Typical activities include but are not limited to Continuing education courses, Exercise classes, Game nights, Field trips, Holiday celebrations, and Support and discussion groups.
  • Maintain independence even when they need help with two or three daily living activities such as bathing, dressing, and medication management. In most cases, independent living can be likened to staying at a hotel with a medically trained staff as a concierge.
  • Live in comfortable and spacious accommodation or apartments, complete with maintenance and housekeeping services, security, transportation, and excellent dining options.

 

 

Is independent living right for you?

Even when all the features of this community sound good to you, it’s best to evaluate how suitable this type of senior living is for you. Making the right choice will depend on several factors.

  • The facility’s guiding approach to caring for seniors aligns closely with your own beliefs and attitudes.
  • It leaves a warm and vibrant impression on you.
  • Its location works best for your needs—close to where family members live, has an urban vibe, or in a peaceful rural setting.
  • It has access to entertainment and activities that can help you stay alive and healthy longer.
  • It has easy access to public transportation if you travel a lot or is a frequent flyer.
  • It provides accommodation that you prefer.

 

Most importantly, a facility must have accreditation, which shows it has met or exceeded the prescribed standard of care.

 

 

Richmont Senior Living is proud to serve Ashland, NE and the surrounding cities: Memphis, Springfield, South Bend, Greenwood, Murdock, Waverly, Murdock, Ithaca, and Chalco

Independent Living for Seniors Ashland NE

Dementia Care: How to Do It Better, Including Effective Communication

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For anyone showing signs of dementia or undergoing a progression into Alzheimer’s disease, receiving care in a memory assisted living facility is one way to ensure optimum comfort and safety. This is especially true if you’re too busy to look after a senior loved one or that you can only spare a small amount of time.

 

Whether you are a primary caregiver or not, it’s best to arm yourself with strategies on how to better care and deal with dementia patients. Because as the disease progresses, taking care of an aging loved one can be a real challenge.

 

 

Strategies for Better Dementia Care

 

 

Understand the effects of dementia

It’s one thing to know that your parent or both parents are in the early stages of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. It’s an altogether different story to know how the condition will affect patients over time.

 

Knowing that forgetfulness will become more prominent over time will make it easier for you to communicate with a parent and to tolerate whatever inconvenience they will cause.

 

It is also important to know that dementia care patients would have less control over their feelings and the ability to properly express them. This way, you can react appropriately if a patient experiences rapid mood changes or is often irritable.

 

Knowing dementia and its impact on a patient’s emotions and feelings is the key to better take care of a patient.

 

 

Change the way you communicate

Effective communication deteriorates as dementia progresses. There will come a time when having a simple conversation with a senior will be hard to do.

 

As a solution:

  • Carry out a conversation only at a place where there is little to no distraction. This way, a patient can focus all their mental energy on what you guys are talking about.
  • Speak naturally and clearly and be sure to maintain a calm and warm voice.
  • Avoid using pronouns. Instead, refer to people by names for easy recognition and flow of conversation. The same goes for when you’re referring to yourself.
  • Endeavor to talk about one thing at the time. Most patients with dementia have difficulty juggling multiple threads of conversations, much less keep track of them.
  • Learn how to use nonverbal cues to help ease the flow of conversation.
    • Make eye contact when you introduce yourself and all throughout the chat.
    • Be patient and smile Even when an aging loved one doesn’t cooperate. It could be Alzheimer’s disease that is causing confusion and slow mental processing.
    • Use the power of touch to diffuse a situation. A simple touch can help a loved one who is acting negatively to stay calm.
    • Use hand gestures for better understanding. If they are trying to tell you something, for example, urge them to point or make gestures.
    • Project positive body language by maintaining an open posture and good eye contact.

 

 

Be aware of the signs of good and bad days

Patients with dementia will have their ups and downs like anyone else, except that they’re worse than normal. If you notice that a senior loved one is more irritable than usual, change your approach when dealing with them.

 

There is no one formula to properly care for someone with dementia. But if you know the basics, taking care of them at home or in a memory assisted living facility is easier on you and the patient.

 

Richmont Senior Living is proud to serve Ashland, NE and the surrounding cities: Memphis, Springfield, South Bend, Greenwood, Murdock, Waverly, Murdock, Ithaca, and Chalco