What Is Assisted Living? Exploring Supportive Housing for Seniors
According to the AHCA/NCAL, over 800,000 Americans currently reside in assisted living, so there are tons of options for seniors that require additional assistance.
But what is assisted living? How can these services help residents thrive?
If you're looking to improve your loved one's lifestyle, looking into senior housing may improve their quality of life. Read on to learn why.
What Is Assisted Living?
Assisted living is one main type of senior living community that older adults can move into. In these communities, residents who struggle to live independently access a wide range of services.
But what is assisted living in terms of the help it offers?
Compassionate care professionals can help with elderly care services like:
- Showering and bathing
- Getting dressed
- Using the bathroom
- Brushing teeth and hair
- Cleaning up messes
- Doing laundry
- Managing medication
They also will offer residents:
- Reminders about activities and events
- Help with moving between different areas of the community
- Chances to go outside and enjoy the fresh air
Seniors can enjoy their golden years more easily when all their physical and emotional needs are met. Good hygiene makes it easier to feel good while meeting up with friends. Clean surroundings can enhance mental health and boost resident's moods.
The Benefits of an Assisted Living Community
Daily living assistance isn't the only reason to transition to assisted living. There are several other benefits, including:
- Access to nutritious meals
- Group restaurant-style dining settings
- Wellness and fitness plans for mobility and flexibility
- Regular activities like puzzles and games that keep the mind sharp
- Supervision and monitoring in a safe and controlled environment
Good surroundings and stronger connections are some of the most important advantages to think about.
Accessible Apartments and Amenities
Families who perform home renovations for greater accessibility may spend an average of $4,403 to $8,108 for basic upgrades. Senior care communities already have extensive accessibility and safety features that save families money in the long term.
Senior living communities have well-appointed apartments. Beyond climate control and comfortable furnishings, they're made for seniors with:
- Wheelchair-accessible wide doorways
- Grab bars to prevent falls
- Bright lighting, including natural light
- No-slip mats to stop shower injuries
Community amenities are also built for accessibility. Residents can enjoy:
- Wide hallways
- Ample space to navigate with a wheelchair or walker
- Wheelchair-accessible toilets and sinks
This prevents injuries and keeps every resident comfortable throughout community grounds.
Stronger Senior Connections
A robust activity calendar is the cornerstone of life at TerraBella Thornblade. Our community events include:
- Themed parties
- Dances
- Card and game nights
- Crafting workshops
- Reading groups
- Chair yoga
- Resident-led games
- Nail painting
- Movie screenings
- Trivia
- Bingo
Since there are so many activities to choose from, every resident can find something they're passionate about.
Plus, since people will attend events that align with their interests and passions, it will be easy to meet others who share those interests. Striking up deep connections has never been easier than it is in a senior housing community!
Advantages for Caregivers
Transitioning your loved one into an assisted living community also has massive benefits for caregivers. According to Cleveland Clinic, about 60% of family members providing care experience burnout.
This has a wide range of emotional impacts like:
- Increased stress
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Insomnia
- Irritation and agitation
All of these burnout symptoms make it easy to become frustrated with your loved one. You're likely to strain your relationship with them while providing care, which is the last thing you want to do!
Leaving care to compassionate experts with extensive tools and resources provides peace of mind. It also lets you focus on nurturing a great relationship with your loved one.
How to Choose Senior Housing
To choose an assisted living community, you should first consider the specific needs of your loved one. Some people will have a lot of mobility issues while others will primarily contend with cognitive decline.
Think about:
- The level of assistance that your family member needs
- What care services the community offers
- Safety and security features the community offers
- Staff-to-resident ratios
- Available amenities
- What activities the community encourages residents to attend
Make sure that you choose something in a good location. You want to be near your family member so you can visit regularly. You also want to make sure that the community is near familiar and comfortable surroundings.
Scheduling a tour of the best SC community is the best way to understand what amenities can keep your loved one comfortable. You can see the grounds and talk with existing residents about what life is like at TerraBella Thornblade.
Know Your Budget
When choosing elderly care services, it's important to know how much money you have to spend.
Look into your finances and consider how much money you have. Make sure to account for the money you get when selling your loved one's house before moving them into assisted living.
After that, you should:
- Compare floor plans and pricing
- Inquire about rent and other basic fees
- Ask community experts if there are additional amenities that you have to pay for
- Look into financing plans for affordable senior living
Prioritize Personalized Care
The best assisted living communities offer personally tailored care plans to residents.
Before someone new moves in, caregivers will sit down with them and their families. They'll discuss what new residents can do for themselves and what tasks they need more support with. Together, professionals and families can come up with an individualized care plan tailored to meet the resident's specific needs.
This ensures that they get all necessary care while living as independently as possible.
Plus, care plans are adaptable at TerraBella Thornblade. This means that they can change over time as your loved one's needs shift.
Explore the Best South Carolina Senior Living Communities
So, what is assisted living?
On the most basic level, it's a type of senior housing that offers a variety of elderly care services. On a deeper level, though, it's a community where your loved one can enjoy invigorating activities and meaningful connections.
TerraBella Thornblade is excited to help seniors in Greer, SC, thrive with personalized care and exclusive senior living programs. Contact us to schedule a tour and see what life is like in our gorgeous amenities.