For a senior, independence may be as much of a concern as health. After all, the two are often intertwined. In many cases, as an older adult’s health diminishes so does their independence, and vice versa.
Assisted living communities offer a level of safety, freedom and opportunity that typically surpasses what most older adults experience if they choose to remain in their home within the community at large, yet many resist the idea of assisted living. One of the main reasons is fear of giving up their independence.
This fear usually stems from a lack of knowledge or familiarity with today’s assisted living options.
In Assisted Living, Independence Can Thrive
Some people equate assisted living with being in a nursing home — the kind of place their grandparents or great-grandparents may have lived out their final years.
Others fiercely defend their ability to live on their own because to admit they would benefit from some help feels like defeat. It can seem like a slippery slope, where little by little the capacity to live on one’s own terms is eroded.
Fortunately, learning more about assisted living communities can quickly change those perceptions. Seeing how vibrant and active older adults can be in a community like The Vered may be all it takes to eliminate outdated or inaccurate views of what assisted living is all about.
When talking with people who are interested in The Vered, either for themselves or a loved one, we suggest thinking about living in our community as “assisted independence.” By customizing the types and level of assistance each resident receives, we help ensure that all residents have the chance to enjoy their optimal quality of life.
In a Nutshell, What Is Assisted Living?
Assisted living looks different for each senior because no two people are alike in their needs as they get older. In broad strokes, though, the staff in an assisted living community help residents with basic routine activities such as grooming, bathing and getting dressed.
For residents with mobility challenges, staff members can provide help getting in and out of bed or a chair, and help with navigating their living space, the assisted living community and beyond. Scheduled transportation alleviates worries residents (and their families) might have about being able to drive safely.
Staff members can also help ensure residents are taking their medications as prescribed by providing reminders as needed.
Additionally, residents in assisted living benefit from well-balanced nutrition — typically with three meals and snacks provided each day — as well as engaging social opportunities and other amenities to enhance their overall wellness.
What Assisted Living Is Not
As noted earlier, assisted living isn’t the same as skilled nursing. While both offer around-the-clock care provided by nurses and caregivers as needed, skilled nursing is for those who require more intensive monitoring and medical care.
Memory care, which offers activities, assistance and security specifically for adults with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, is different from both assisted living and skilled nursing.
It’s important to understand that assisted living isn’t where seniors go when they (or their families) have given up on the possibility of living independently. In the right community, older adults frequently become more independent than they were before moving.
Once seniors move to assisted living, it’s not as though they’re limited to what’s available in the community. Many residents continue to drive if they want, and maintain their relationships with friends outside the community even as they create friendships with their new neighbors.
Below are several ways in which assisted living communities like The Vered can help residents not only with day-to-day tasks but also in meeting their goal of independent aging.
Assisted Living Helps Seniors Stay Active
At The Vered, older adults have convenient access to a wide variety of activities and programs designed to stimulate their physical, social and mental health.
Residents have opportunities every day to get together with their neighbors and form new friendships, whether over a cup of coffee, during a fitness class or while watching a favorite film in the on-site theater.
Physical Activity: A Prescription for Living Longer and Better
Research cited by the National Institute on Aging (NIA) indicates that maintaining a certain level of physical activity is associated with a significantly lower risk of death from all causes.
Being physically active can also help seniors:
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Protect their immune system
- Prevent certain chronic diseases
- Preserve muscle mass and function
Having an on-site fitness facility — like the Zenergy fitness center at The Vered — makes it easier for residents to follow through on good intentions to be more active. Trained professionals are on hand to make assessments and recommendations, and provide oversight. This helps ensure a safe path to improved cardiovascular health, strength, flexibility, balance and endurance.
The Vered will also offer physical and occupational therapy sessions for rehabilitation following an illness, injury or surgery, and to improve mobility.
Social Engagement: A Surefire Solution for Isolation
As the NIA notes, various factors can place seniors at increased risk for social isolation and loneliness, including:
- Hearing, vision and memory loss
- Physical disabilities
- Mobility issues
- Loss of relationships with family and friends
In turn, social isolation can lead to serious physical and mental issues, from high blood pressure and heart disease to cognitive decline and dementia.
Residents in assisted living communities have opportunities every day of the week to participate in social activities and special interest groups just a short distance from their front door.
Activities coordinators, similar to the Life Enrichment Director at The Vered, regularly plan social outings to restaurants, sporting events, live performances and cultural venues in the surrounding community. Residents are free to participate in as many as they want, and they don’t have to worry about getting there and back because transportation is provided.
Mental Invigoration: New Interests and a Renewed Sense of Purpose
Meeting new people and participating in different types of activities can perk up a routine that may have become humdrum. Many residents in assisted living discover interests and hobbies they wouldn’t have considered if they had stayed in their home outside the community.
Whether exploring something new to feel passionate about, finding a way to give back to the community by volunteering or expanding their social circle with a group of new friends, residents often experience an increase in self-esteem. This, in turn, boosts their sense of independence.
Assisted Living Provides Peace of Mind
Older adults may begin thinking about moving because they no longer feel safe in their home, particularly if they live alone. They might worry about falling, or they may feel more vulnerable due to physical limitations.
For others, it’s concern about future health needs that motivates them to consider a change in residence. They may find their current situation acceptable but can envision a time when living on their own is no longer a viable option.
Acknowledging to oneself that it’s time for a change in lifestyle can be difficult. Acknowledging it to others can be even harder.
At The Vered, we understand the mixed emotions seniors and their families experience during this phase. Through our experiences in other Momentum Senior Living communities, we’ve witnessed the tremendous relief new residents feel once they’ve settled in. They appreciate the safety features included in their homes and throughout the community, and they know help is moments away, should they need it.
Families gain peace of mind as well, knowing their loved one’s needs are being met promptly, with courtesy and respect.
Assisted Living Opens Up Choices
Freed from the hassle of trying to maintain their homes, and not having to feel as though they must depend on friends and family for help, seniors in assisted living usually experience a notable improvement in their quality of life.
They no longer have to dread situations that may have caused them to feel self-conscious in the past. Instead of struggling with everyday tasks and chores, they can focus on an array of amenities, activities and leisure-time pursuits within and beyond the community. Life as a whole seems much lighter.
At The Vered, Each Person Will Be Treated as an Independent Resident
Although we’ll create personalized care plans to meet the needs and preferences of each resident at The Vered (including those who are with us for memory care), one of our priorities will be to help each person live as independently as possible.
Not only will this approach help residents preserve their dignity. It will also build up their confidence and encourage them to venture beyond what may have become a limited lifestyle. Knowing that help is close by if needed, and having such easy access to a variety of appealing activities and programs, residents will feel emboldened to try new experiences.
We invite you to learn more about the engaging lifestyle we’ll offer at The Vered. To schedule a time to meet with a team member at the Discovery Center, you can complete this brief contact form or call 818.450.3120.