How to Know When It’s Time for an Assisted Living Community
Assisted living is a type of long-term housing for older adults. Unlike memory care facilities or nursing homes where residents need 24-hour care, assisted living residents get to elect the support they need, when they need it. The kinds of support offered at assisted living communities are typically non-medical and relate to activities of daily living (ADL). For example, one person might need help with dressing, whereas another person may need help with bathing.
Thousands of adults choose to live in assisted living communities, where they find an engaging and independent lifestyle that offers the support to help them live their best lives. So how do you know if it’s time for you, a friend or parent to consider an assisted living community? The following information offers more insight into who would best be served by this kind of senior living community and what they can expect.
1) You’re Seeking More Social Interaction
Social engagement is vital for our mental and emotional health. Unfortunately, many seniors are more at risk for social isolation. This can happen when the surrounding community changes, or when friends and neighbors move away. If this happen, moving to a welcoming, secure community could benefit your health. If you are looking for a close-knit community where you’ll be surrounded by peers who, like you, want to live life to the fullest, you might enjoy an assisted living community.
At an assisted living community, you’re bound to make new friends in an engaging and active environment. You’ll be surrounded with people just like you, people that want to grow, learn and explore their passions. You are sure to make new friends with similar interests or meet new friends who can open you up to new hobbies.
Assisted living communities also make it incredibly easy to access social events and programs. Throughout the year, these communities host everything from fitness classes, to art classes to holiday parties. There’s no need to drive or buy a ticket to these activities; they are all hosted on-site for residents and are a part of daily life.
2) You Want Assistance with Activities of Daily Living
One way to assess if you are ready for assisted living is by looking at how you are able to handle activities of daily living, often called ADLs. When ADLs become challenging, it’s helpful to be in a community that offers support. Assisted living provides help when help is needed amid a community that’s devoted to active living. Sometimes, getting a small amount of support can empower a great deal of independence.
What are examples of ADLs? They include activities like:
- Bathing and personal hygiene
- Choosing clothes and getting dressed
- Eating
- Transferring in and out of bed and chairs
- Taking care of bathroom needs
There are also other tasks of daily living that don’t involve personal care but instead revolve around the maintenance of the home and related chores. These are offered at assisted living communities too. In an assisted living community, you can ditch the lawn mower and weed whacker and leave landscaping to the staff. Assisted living services often include laundry and housekeeping as well. What would life be like without those chores? It would certainly free up more time for you to do what you love.
If you enjoy being in control of your life but need some assistance with one or more ADLs, an assisted living community may be a great fit.
3) You Want to Stay Fit and Healthy
Studies show that exercise can increase your health and happiness, but many older individuals lose the habit of working out. You may find as you’ve aged that you are less active than before. You may also be interested in joining a gym that doesn’t cater to younger patrons
In an assisted living community, you’ll have several fitness options, and you are likely to find one that suits your needs. Even if you just prefer to go for a walk, you may find that it’s more fun to walk with a group or along landscaped neighborhood trails. If you need physical therapy or rehab services, they may be available on-site.
Perhaps you follow a certain way of eating for religious or ethical reasons or for your health. Most assisted living communities will accommodate your diet preferences. Even if you don’t have special dietary needs, you may eat a healthier diet just because you have a greater variety of foods available. And not having to cook or clean is a great bonus.
4) You Want to Learn Something New
Want to keep your brain healthy? Researchers say that learning something new is great for the brain. When you’re in a rut, you may have trouble thinking of something different to do. When your community offers lots of options, you’re more likely to find something that piques your interest. You might:
- Take art classes
- Join a crafting group
- Learn a language
- Try meditation
- Learn about different religions and attend services
- Improve your knowledge of technology
- Learn a card game or board game
- Study other countries and other cultures
- Join a book club.
Almost all assisted living communities also provide outings to nearby places of interest. These may be educational or entertaining or both. Maybe you don’t need a lot of excitement. Assisted living communities offer many quiet spaces and courtyards where you can read a book, do a puzzle or relax with no worries.
5) You Want More Joy in Life (Who Doesn’t?)
If you are wondering how to know when it’s time for assisted living, consider this: You deserve happiness. Could changing your living environment remove any obstacles to your happiness? Then think about the hobbies and moments that bring a smile to your face and how you can make them a part of your life.
Assisted living not only takes care of day-to-day chores and offers support for daily tasks, but it also provides an active community full of many activities to do – and neighbors to enjoy those activities with. The goal is low-stress, high-enjoyment, secure living.
Assisted Living in Aventura, Florida
If you are interested in assisted living in Florida, the Sterling Aventura offers a safe and stimulating environment. Our community has a four-part wellness philosophy. It focuses on physical wellbeing through diet and exercise; social well being through connections and relationships; intellectual wellbeing through learning initiatives and spiritual wellbeing through service opportunities. Sterling Aventura apartments offer privacy, convenience and comfort. You’ll enjoy a full calendar of activities and events, as well as opportunities to visit local attractions.
If you are interested in assisted living in Aventura for yourself or for a family member, contact us at (305) 918-0000. You can also request a free copy of our Guide for Finding the Right Assisted Living Community.