independent living for seniors

Why Family Matters in Assisted Living

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As the world’s population gets older, the need for a family to understand assisted living and what it offers to the lives of the elderly is becoming much more important.

But while a lot of family members think that their loved ones can have the best life in these communities, what they fail to realize is the importance of their involvement in achieving that goal for their family members.

 

Loneliness and the Difficulty of Transitioning to Assisted Living

Loneliness is a common feeling among seniors transitioning to assisted living. When someone who has lived in the same house for many years needs to move into a completely different living arrangement, it’s not uncommon to feel separation anxiety and loneliness that could even lead to depression if not addressed promptly.

While assisted living communities aim to provide the most home-like environment for residents, family members still play an important role in helping seniors transition smoothly into this new community without feeling isolated or left alone.

Family members can visit regularly and even engage in activities with their loved ones so they can feel that sense of belongingness to the family even if they’re living in a different community.

They can also offer to assist with caring for their loved one while respecting the roles of healthcare workers and their level of skill to avoid getting too involved.

 

Quality Time over the Length of Time with Every Visit

A lot of residents in assisted living communities have loved ones, especially spouses, who visit them on an almost daily basis.

Although this could be thought of as a nuisance, it is actually highly appreciated by healthcare workers in these communities because of how they benefit the overall wellbeing of their loved ones and even other residents. Some of these family members eventually build great relationships with other residents and their constant interaction with them allows them to understand the needs of lonely residents who are not visited by their own families.

A lot of healthcare staff in these assisted living communities report that these family members help make the lives of other residents better and not just their own loved ones.

They also remind those family members who fail to visit their loved ones that although they already sent them to these communities, their responsibility as primary caregivers is still not over.

It doesn’t matter if they can only visit for a short period of time because quality time is more important than the length of time in supporting loved ones in assisted living.

 

The Takeaway

The family will always be a person’s strongest foundation and it holds true even for the elderly population. While seniors need specialized care because of existing medical conditions, they need the love and support of their family members the most to make sure that they don’t feel lonely and enjoy the best quality of life possible.

At the end of the day, family involvement is a crucial part of the care of seniors in assisted living.

 

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

assisted living facilities

How Senior Housing Promotes Good Quality of Life

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It is happening: the American population is growing older. The number of older adults is projected to reach an astounding 94.7 million from 56 million. That’s a 69% increase in the elderly population of the United States. This means that senior housing will be increasingly in demand, as more seniors would choose to live in a more secure and safe community where they could spend the best of their later years. But how exactly does senior housing promote a better quality of life?

 

An Opportunity for Social Interaction

In 2010, a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine revealed that spending time with family and friends and enjoying the right leisure activities with them actually helps keep cognitive function longer.

On the other hand, isolation and loneliness usually lead to depression and early mortality among the elderly, according to a research study from the University of Chicago.

One of the primary goals of any senior housing community is to promote social interaction among its residents. This is done through activities that encourage socialization within the community and with visiting loved ones including communal art classes, games, and hobbies that allow residents to engage in meaningful conversations with other people.

It has been proven to help boost their mood and keep them healthier for a longer time.

 

Safe Environment for Seniors to Live in

Safety is one of the biggest concerns of loved ones living with seniors. But with senior housing, these worries are eliminated because independent and assisted living communities always prioritize the health and safety of their residents.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries among adults 65 years and older. This is why senior housing communities always make sure that their buildings are designed for mobility and accessibility among seniors by adding hand railings, grab bars, raised toilets, and other precautions to prevent falls among residents.

Independent and assisted living communities also hire security companies to protect residents from break-ins and alarm systems are installed around the facilities for the peace of mind of both the residents and their loved ones.

 

A Better Lifestyle for Seniors

Perhaps one of the biggest benefits of living in senior housing is the opportunity to live the best lifestyle possible. These communities offer different opportunities for residents to enjoy their life without worrying about daily chores.

For instance, they don’t need to cook for themselves because these communities will take care of preparing nutritious meals that meet their dietary needs and consider their food restrictions.

They can also get assistance with activities of daily living if they have difficulty performing them on their own and they can focus on doing what they love without worrying about running a household.

So if you have a loved one who’s about to enter retirement, a senior housing community is definitely a great choice to give them the quality of life that they deserve.

 

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