Assisted living facilities can provide services to older adults who need assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) and those who require skilled nursing care.
However, admission and retention policies that support aging in place may vary from state to state. Consequently, the extent to which less impaired older adults can age in place in assisted living settings before being discharged to a higher level of care is determined by these policies.
Cost
Financial costs can be a big concern when it comes to aging in place. Many people assume that they will be able to remain in their homes as long as they want, but this is not always the case.
As you age, your health needs may change. This can make it challenging to manage daily tasks such as getting dressed, bathing or eating.
Winter Park assisted living can be an option for seniors who need more help than they can get from family and friends. However, many other factors must be considered before deciding to move into an assisted living facility.
In addition to the cost of room and board, residents may need to pay for other expenses, such as transportation to doctor’s appointments or grocery stores. Some states like Florida also offer a financial assistance program for qualified assisted living residents.
Caregiver Needs
Caregiving often involves a lot of physical stress, which can affect the caregiver’s health. Assisted living helps senior caregivers get relief from this by offering safe help with daily tasks, like lifting and moving.
Caregivers can also enjoy relief from emotional stress by taking time away from caregiving responsibilities. According to the Family Caregiver Alliance, getting a break from the endless to-do list and worries associated with caregiving can improve their mental well-being.
Aging in place can be an excellent option if you need minimal assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs), have a strong support network and can utilize home care services to meet your needs.
However, some seniors require more skilled medical care that nurses can provide, such as changing wounds, inserting and maintaining catheters, administering medication or providing end-of-life care. If your loved one requires this help, you may hire a private-duty registered nurse.
Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
As people age, the ability to perform daily tasks, such as bathing and eating, can become more complex. This loss of function can have a negative impact on an individual’s quality of life, health, and safety.
As a family caregiver, you can help your loved one by asking questions and watching for changes in their functional abilities. This will allow you to assess their level of independence and determine whether they need assistance from a caregiver or an assisted living facility.
If you are concerned that a loved one’s ADLs need to be managed, speak to a healthcare professional or local Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) about the problem. They can provide a formal assessment and help you find solutions that work for you.
ADLs are essential, basic self-care skills most healthy individuals learn in childhood. However, a decline in these skills can indicate a need for a higher level of care.
Safety
According to AARP, almost eighty percent of adults ages 50 and older want to stay in their homes as they age. They also want to maintain their independence, avoiding the costs of moving into an assisted living or nursing home setting.
Choosing the right place to meet their needs can be difficult, but safety is one of the most important considerations. A senior’s health and well-being depend on having a safe environment where they can live independently.
The most common cause of injuries and deaths among seniors is falling. This is why senior communities take fall prevention very seriously.
Many of them have grab bars in bathrooms, lever-handled doorknobs and personal alert systems so that residents can quickly call for help in the event of a fall.
Besides these basics, assisted living and retirement communities also have smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and fire sprinklers to ensure that your parent can stay safe in the event of a fire. They may also have designated emergency shelter areas and generator backups to prevent a fire from spreading to other residents.
