Assisted living might seem like the opposite concept of independence, but this environment actually often creates more opportunities for seniors to carve out unique lifestyles all their own. Seniors can be more independent in an environment that offers a myriad of activities from which to choose, a support system for wellness and access to a built-in social structure.
Consider these six ways that assisted living provides seniors with more independence than they might have living on their own.
Getting out and about is one of the biggest challenges many seniors face when juggling independence with the need for a little help now and then. Scheduled outings is one of the areas where assisted living really shines. Many communities have scheduled outings that safely and securely take seniors to community events, theatre showings, movies, concerts, shopping excursions and cultural events.
These outings not only help seniors to feel more independent, but they also help ensure that older adults are engaging in the community in a safe way. Scheduled outings promote a sense of inclusion among seniors that want to feel as much a part of their local communities as they do their assisted living one. Scheduled outings also foster independence because they ensure that seniors can shop for the items they want without requesting someone do so on their behalf.
For seniors who are accustomed to picking up medications at the local pharmacy or doing their grocery shopping at the same market, this sense of continuity can bolster feelings of independence. Meanwhile, since the assisted living community coordinates timing and transportation, loved ones are reassured by the enhanced safety component.
Because there are so many different types of people living in assisted living communities, the opportunities for socialization are many. This provides seniors with more independence as they reap the benefits of meeting new people and trying new things.
Increased socialization is an important component of active living. Part of a healthy approach to living for seniors is social interaction with others, which may be harder to support for those living alone in traditional housing. Assisted living provides independence in that seniors can choose when they want to spend time in their living spaces or when they might want to venture out to have meals with friends, interact with others during scheduled events or simply enjoy a cup of coffee or conversation with other residents.
The choice is there, but seniors are never truly alone, which wards off the isolation that living in a traditional house can sometimes bring about.
One of the things that can bog seniors down daily is the need to engage in daily tasks, such as cleaning, home organization or handling various personal care tasks. Assisted living takes the work out of this process, providing more independence for seniors interested in pursuing more pleasurable options.
Moreover, it ensures that senior residents live in clean, healthy environments and don't have to attempt to do maintenance tasks that may compromise their wellness in any way. The scheduled maintenance programs at many assisted living communities take the onus off the residents to do menial household work and instead allows them to focus on fun.
Safety is one of the most important tenets of senior living. This component is particularly important for seniors that may need memory care or those that have specific health conditions. Assisted living communities offer safe environments, which means even individuals with memory care concerns can explore the community without loved ones worrying about them wandering off the campus or into unsafe areas.
Moreover, assisted living communities have monitoring capabilities for those with chronic health conditions, which means that changes in health status will not go unnoticed. This creates more independence for seniors that want to continue living their lives in the ways they see fit while also ensuring they're supported by medical staff.
Many senior living communities have a busy and diverse activities calendar. This benefits seniors because it allows them to choose those activities most applicable to their personal interests. More activities provide seniors with increased independence because they can choose areas of interest, all of which are offered on-site.
Enjoying a heightened sense of independence is best when well-being is at the forefront of any lifestyle. Seniors in assisted living communities enjoy a built-in component of this with wellness programming that shores up mental, physical and emotional well-being. This promotes independence because it ensures that senior residents feel as good as possible, allowing them to truly experience and enjoy all of the amenities that the assisted living community has to offer.
Sometimes, an assisted living community is the best environment for seniors who want to maximize their independence while also accessing amenities that can make life more enjoyable.
