As a large segment of the population continues to enter their mid-to-late 60s and beyond, the number of people considering how and where they want to live during the next stage of their life is rising. One of the options that has been increasingly popular in recent years is assisted living communities. This is especially true for those needing personal care or a desire to live in an engaging community with high-quality amenities.
Why Assisted Living?
Assisted living communities offer residents the independence and privacy of living in their own space, while still receiving expert personal care that they need. This combination is a valuable option for those who need the personal and medical care that independent living communities don’t provide, but don’t need the extensive care provided by nursing homes.
While amenities can vary from facility to facility, most assisted living communities offer:
- Personal care plans
- Well-appointed apartment living spaces
- Daily meal options served in a community environment
- Medication management
- Planned community activities and events
When researching assisted living community options, make sure to check which amenities are included in the monthly fee and how they line up with your or your loved one’s preferred lifestyle.
Benefits of Assisted Living
Enhanced Quality of Life
One of the many pros of assisted living is the opportunity to maintain or even improve the residents’ quality of life compared to living alone or in a different type of facility. Assisted living communities offer opportunities for social interaction, community engagement and can help provide a sense of purpose for residents.
Assisted living facilities do the work of organizing a number of different life enrichment options, while an emphasis on independence allows residents to pick and choose which social and recreational activities to participate in based on their interests and desires. No matter which activities a resident chooses to participate in, they’ll receive the benefit of physical and mental engagement.
Professional Care and Support
One of the biggest advantages of assisted living is the trained medical staff that is on-site and the detailed care plans that are put together for each resident. The number of medical staffers at the facility during any time can vary, so making sure that you or your loved one is comfortable with the staff available throughout different times of day is important when searching for an assisted living community. No matter the community, health monitoring and emergency response are vital pieces of care that every resident will receive.
Personalized care plans are developed by an expert care team and are designed based on the individual resident’s medical needs and preferences. These plans can be adjusted if there are changes in condition, allowing residents to take advantage of a range of increasing care options.
Safety and Security
Another benefit of assisted living communities is the presence of safety and security protocols that are in place to give residents peace of mind and access to immediate assistance if necessary. Loved ones can rest easy knowing that there are measures in place that provide the combination of independent living, reduced chances of safety issues and a caring staff who are on-hand to assist in any emergency situation.
For example, a fall in a single-family home or isolated apartment can be extremely dangerous for seniors, but at an assisted living community, the facility puts measures in place to reduce the risk of falls.
Independence and Privacy
Autonomy and independence are important, especially for those unsure about the transition to living in an assisted living community. One of the main benefits of choosing assisted living is that they are designed to offer support and care when needed, rather than constant monitoring. Private apartments allow residents to maintain their independence and make their living space into a home with their own decorations and other personal touches. And while a number of community events are offered on a regular basis, residents get to choose which ones they wish to participate in and which they would rather not attend.
Peace of Mind for Families
Finding the right community for an aging family member can be an anxious time for the rest of the family — understandably so. The transition can be stressful and confusing to older adults so it is important to make sure that loved ones receive the necessary care while still being able to live their life to the fullest.
VOANS prioritizes dignity and respect for every resident, shown by our dedication to compassionate care that respects the human spirit. We understand the anxiety and desire of family members to learn every detail about a community before a choice is made. The assurance of every VOANS assisted living community is that every resident will be well cared for, respected and welcomed into a homelike environment that aims to provide for their social and mental well-being, as well as their medical needs.
Commitment to VOANS Assisted Living Residents
There’s no doubt that assisted living communities significantly improve the quality of life for their residents. By creating a secure and nurturing environment that also cultivates a sense of joy and provides the opportunities to build a real feeling of home within a community, assisted living is an ideal choice for many seniors. Additionally, assisted living provides the kind of safety and high-quality care that gives families peace of mind.
Contact VOANS for more information about our seven assisted living communities around the country to find the perfect fit for you or your loved ones.