Assisted senior living options and amenities have expanded and evolved to include all manner of assistance, ranging from traditional housekeeping and linen service to lifestyle-enhancing activities such as gardening, massage and aromatherapy. Those who benefit from assisted living maintain a high degree of independence but may need help with Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and limited nursing services.
Many of today’s modern assisted senior living communities encourage residents to remain vital and independent through active participation in nurturing surroundings. These residences often base their options, activities and programs on current research, which shows seniors generally, thrive in an attractive, non-institutional and less restricted environment. The latest learning also reinforces the notion that health and happiness go hand-in-hand with staying engaged in the full spectrum of human experience: physical, mental, social and spiritual.
What are the most typical services?
These days, many assisted senior living communities provide assistance in basic and important ways. Among the services people have come to expect are a range of dining options, 24-hour emergency call systems, social activities and a menu of housekeeping and personal care assistance services. These services often include in-house beauty and barber shop, housekeeping, laundry, linen and ironing as well as personal care such as reminders and bathing.
Services that add to the safety, security and social make-up of many assisted senior living communities are controlled entry into buildings, locations near emergency and nursing care clinics as well as easy access to public transportation. Other services such as exercise facilities, television lounge and planned activities provide an active, attractive home.
What are some of the latest senior assisted living services?
Modern senior assisted living communities strive to further empower their residents’ by providing ever more services and amenities. In addition to a grand dining room, for example, some incorporate architectural amenities such as fireplace nooks, television and music rooms, spas, cozy libraries and game alcoves.
Helping residents embrace healthy lifestyle choices, senior assisted living residences often offer health and wellness programs led by qualified and trained staff. Acknowledging that physical activity promotes mental sharpness, strength and balance, residents benefit from walking clubs, yoga, ballroom dancing and health screening clinics. To promote mental capabilities, communities offer brain stimulation through computer and painting classes, stress management and book clubs.
Social connections at senior assisted living communities are encouraged through a wide variety of events and activities such as volunteer opportunities, cooking and gardening clubs, outings to restaurants, sporting events and comedy clubs. Holiday and birthday celebrations along with happy hours promote casual socializing. Experience and research also indicates that spirituality is a critical component to successful aging. To meet those needs, assisted living cultures often provide church services, meditation groups, yoga, discussion and walking groups.
Aging In Place
Finally, more senior assisted living communities offer enhanced assisted living services. This allows a resident to stay in assisted living longer in his or her own apartment. In addition, some facilities provide an Alzheimer’s or dementia care program that assists couples when one spouse is caring for the other and needs help with many care responsibilities.
Written by senior care writer Leslee Jaquette http://www.seniorhomes.com/p/assisted-senior-living/