You are probably looking for a place that can care for your aging parent, or you want to find a community to retire in yourself. Looking into assisted living is a big step that requires some thinking through before picking the best space to spend the golden years and get the proper care. Here are some important markers to check on when choosing where to go.
- 24/7 care
When the choice comes to enter assisted living, this is usually because the individual needs help in doing everyday tasks. Even though the level of assistance needed ranges per person, this means there should be help readily available throughout the day, especially in the event of an emergency.
Assisted living services in Layton have made it a point to provide on-site assistance 24 hours because a lot of incidents occur with falls and the like. The likelihood of these accidents can increase during the night, if a senior wakes up and has to go to the bathroom, or a particular resident with memory issues might suddenly be confused as to where they may be. Having care providers available throughout the day becomes even more important for more severe cases where the senior cannot do basic tasks alone and could endanger themselves.
- Housekeeping and laundry services
Cleanliness is ever essential, and maintaining clean linens and clothing is a crucial task that should no longer be put on the shoulders of the senior who goes into assisted living. As family members may not be able to stay on top of this, it’s best to find a facility that provides these services.
This focus on being able to keep up cleanliness caters to one of the specific points in the guidelines released by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP). They aim to make sure that the elderly resident can have dignified living conditions well into their later years. If a residence offers these services, you can usually use this to gauge how much care they have and can provide.
- Engaging activities
Entering assisted living doesn’t mean having to completely relinquish any semblance of independence and engagement with the community. It’s best to find a place that has set activities to keep seniors motivated and engaged in life, especially since the American Psychological Association (APA) has noted a continuing rise in depression and anxiety with older Americans.
The APA’s research has shown that this increases even more with the development of other physical health problems, mental issues like dementia, and coping with losses of those emotionally dear to them like close friends and spouses. For that reason, there needs to be enough space and time dedicated to allowing individuals to express themselves, have relationships continue, and conduct interesting activities that give them a platform to create. Even simple things like being able to eat with others during mealtimes can make a big difference in a senior’s mindset and disposition.
All of these factors can help ensure a better quality of life for older adults as they set on a new stage of living. If you find a place that caters to all of these guidelines, you may have just found the right home.
