Active Care Senior Living is an environment where seniors get the support they need to live independently. Typically, assisted living offers assistance with activities of daily living, such as bathing, eating, and medication management.
They also provide transportation services to help with getting to medical appointments or shopping for food. They can also encourage socialization and prevent isolation, which is a key contributor to mental health issues in older adults.
Care
Assisted living care is designed to meet the needs of seniors who need help with activities of daily living, or ADLs. They may have health concerns that prevent them from managing their own personal hygiene or medication regimens.
Unlike nursing homes, assisted living communities offer a more residential setting that allows seniors to maintain as much independence as possible. They also provide safety features like emergency alert systems and handrails to avoid falls and break-ins.
In addition, they have disaster plans in place and staff who are prepared to help residents in case of fire, storms or earthquakes.
Aside from offering assistance with ADLs, assisted living facilities offer meals and socialization. These include three meals per day plus snacks that are crafted by on-site dieticians and chefs who understand low-sodium, diabetic, and vegetarian diets.
Choosing assisted living can take a significant amount of stress off you and your loved one. The peace of mind you get from knowing your loved one is well taken care of and safe is invaluable.
Meals
Meals are a vital part of an assisted living lifestyle. They free residents from shopping, cooking and cleaning up, and they bring together people for the informal social exchange of a meal.
Most assisted living facilities provide two or three meals a day. Often, the cost of these meals is included in the resident’s rent or fees.
The dining staff at assisted living facilities should plan menus that cater to the unique needs and preferences of each individual resident. It is important that these meals include the proper ratios of carbohydrates, proteins, milk and dairy products, fruits and vegetables, whole-grains and healthy oils.
Transportation
Assisted living facilities must provide transportation for their residents to keep them active and independent. Not having transportation can lead to rescheduled or missed appointments, delays in medication use, and poorer health outcomes.
Fortunately, most assisted living facilities provide their residents with reliable transportation to medical and social appointments, shopping trips, or other outside activities. In fact, many states require that these services be offered.
These senior transportation services can vary in cost and availability. They can be provided by a community’s staff or an independent service provider.
A community’s transportation services may be included in the up-front cost of assisted living or charged on an a la carte basis. These fees can vary by state.
JCCGCI’s Senior Citizen Transportation Program provides individual car services to medical and other essential appointments, group van shuttle trips to senior centers and bus trips for educational events, recreation or shopping. Its transportation services are tailored to each client’s needs.
Activities
Assisted living residents enjoy a variety of activities and outings that keep them engaged and stimulated. These activities can include educational, cultural and religious events, trips to a local theater or symphony, and guest speakers.
Many assisted living communities offer classes to help residents learn new skills and develop their interests. These classes may cover painting, writing, technology and other topics.
One-on-one activities can also help seniors learn more about themselves, improve social skills and build a sense of belonging to the community. For example, a resident with memory problems might benefit from making memory mats or displaying favorite pictures on a table.
Besides entertainment, assisted living residents need a nutritious daily meal, scheduled transportation to doctors’ appointments and other essential errands, and 24-hour safety features like security doors and response systems. Most assisted living communities include these amenities in the cost of rent, and some have on-site medical services or pharmacy access.