If a senior feels lonely or isolated at home, an assisted living facility may help them have a social life again. Many facilities offer a wide variety of social and recreational activities. Ask what is included in the base cost for room and board and which services might be extra.
Personalized Care
Personalized care isn’t just nice; it can save seniors money. Assisted living in Orlando offers flexible plans to fit the specific needs of each resident, from physical health to medication management. This allows residents to stay independent while getting their needed support. For example, living alone, seniors often struggle with cooking or bathing tasks. They may become isolated, which can lead to depression and feelings of loneliness.
In contrast, assisted living communities promote social interaction and help their residents build a network of friends with whom they can enjoy recreational, cultural, and social activities. In addition, a wide range of safety measures helps seniors avoid serious injuries such as falls. Assisted living facilities assess their residents for fall risks before they move in and monitor them regularly to ensure their well-being. They also provide safe access and manage medications to avoid side effects that can increase the risk of falls.
Meal Preparation
The food served at an assisted living facility should not only be tasty, but it should also be attractive. This is because people eat with their eyes. The facility may add flowers and soothing music to the dining room to make the food appealing.
For example, some seniors are instructed to follow a diabetic diet. Hence, the dietary plan must include foods that are low in sugar. Moreover, some senior citizens are told to consume low-sodium foods as they suffer from health complications like high blood pressure and kidney problems. Thus, facilities can prepare fresh foods and restrict commercially prepared foods such as canned soups to control sodium intake better. Aside from these, the dietary programs must consider residents’ dietary restrictions and preferences. The homes must also have the appropriate kitchen equipment and the staff to carry out the program. Moreover, they must have a system for providing residents with different meal choices at the point of service.
Transportation
Getting out and about is important for seniors. It helps maintain a sense of independence and reduces feelings of isolation that can lead to depression. Unfortunately, many seniors who live at home struggle to get to doctor’s appointments and shopping trips due to difficulty driving or relying on public transportation. This can lead to inactivity and muscle loss, which increases the risk of falls and overall decline. In an assisted living facility, these responsibilities are handled by the staff. They also offer social activities that keep residents connected to their loved ones. Activities range from game nights to outside excursions and exercise classes. Assisted living facilities provide a home-like environment where your loved one receives non-medical assistance with daily activities like eating, bathing and dressing. They usually charge a monthly rent for their rooms or apartments and a fee based on the level of care they need. The perks and benefits they offer help seniors confidently look forward to the next chapter of their lives.
Socialization
When a senior feels isolated at home, it can have serious health and safety consequences. Moving into an assisted living facility eliminates this risk. Most facilities offer a calendar of physical, creative, recreational, spiritual and educational activities. Many also host guest lecturers and book clubs. Learning new things is good for seniors as it stimulates the brain and increases neuron production, which supports memory, reasoning and attention spans. In addition, group outings, communal dining and structured events foster social interaction and encourage a sense of community. This is a major advantage of assisted living, as isolation can lead to depression and a decline in mental well-being. Furthermore, it is proven that social frailty correlates to physical weakness, and daily interactions reduce the onset of both.
