Although old age in no way means losing out in the joys and comforts of life, there are cases in which a person loses autonomy. There comes a point when elderly people have to rely on others so much that it starts making sense for them to switch to assisted living. So what exactly is assisted the living, who is it for, and what kind of help can it provide for more vulnerable senior citizens?
What is assisted living?
Assisted living for seniors means residing in a facility that is meant especially for elderly people with autonomy problems.
Options vary, but they generally include medical facilities, organized activities, and 24/7 presence and support from trained, professional staff. It offers more support for those with issues related to age than living at home. On the other hand, it leaves the person more freedom than living in a nursing home.
When to know when assisted living has become necessary?
In order to know whether a loved one or yourself should consider assisted living, there are a couple of things to take into consideration.
Unfortunately, even if a person is still able to perform those tasks independently, other factors can make assisted living necessary. For example, it can become harder and harder to deal with one’s medical conditions in old age.
You should watch out for signs that the elderly person is in physical danger. Falls are one of the main causes of death in people over age 80 and one bad fall could result in lifelong medical problems ensuing. If the person has ever fallen in her or his home and been unable to get back up without outside help, it’s a clear sign that living alone is no longer safe.
Benefits of assisted living
The main benefit is of course safety, but there are many others. Having 24/7 help in the case of any emergency or concern that the elderly person may have.
Assisted living can relieve seniors from isolation. Elderly people living by themselves, especially after the loss of a spouse, are at increased risk of depression. This is in large part because they are not getting the social life that every person needs to process healthy emotions.
Although many seniors keep impressive hygiene standards in their homes, it is not uncommon to see them slip and live in increasingly messy or dirty spaces. It’s also a great way to make sure that the elderly are always living in a clean and hygienic space.
Deciding to move out of home is never an easy decision. But in some cases, switching from home living to assisted living is the best choice a person can make to ensure his or her safety, wellbeing and comfort. Fortunately, assisted living is constantly improving, and the range of options that the elderly have access to is increasing by the day.