Assisted living communities focus on each resident’s unique health needs and preferences. They also provide 24/7 nursing care to help residents manage their medications and cope with minor illnesses and injuries.
Fall risks are minimized with walk-in showers, raised toilets and hallway hand railings. Many senior living communities also bring guest lecturers to teach seniors new skills or offer interesting hobbies.
Safety and Security
Many seniors seek long-term care options like in-home care or senior living when their health and capabilities decline. Loved ones can’t keep tabs on their elderly relatives constantly, and a lack of security can lead to injuries or even death. Bradenton assisted living facilities often have access control that keeps outsiders from entering the premises and is equipped with alarms and monitoring systems. In addition, they provide a range of safety features, including wide hallways and doors, walk-in showers, lever-style faucets and electric controls that can be activated with a simple touch. Residents can also use personal alarms to alert staff if they need assistance, and they may have 24/7 surveillance cameras that monitor their private apartments and common areas for safety concerns like wandering. Having a team on hand to help is a huge benefit of senior living and gives families peace of mind, knowing that their loved one is always within assistance if needed.
Personal Care
Assisted living may be the right choice if you have a loved one with health issues that make aging in place difficult or dangerous. It provides a safe, maintenance-free lifestyle in a community that offers social and recreational opportunities and 24/7 staffing. A big part of what makes assisted living so appealing is that it helps combat loneliness and depression in older adults. Studies have shown that seniors who interact with other people regularly feel much happier than those who stay at home. Residents pay a monthly fee for housing, security, housekeeping and programming. They receive assistance with bathing, dressing and grooming as needed, medication management, and other services usually unavailable at home. Some communities also have on-site mental health services like psychotherapy and psychiatric consults. These additional services are often covered by insurance or long-term care policies.
Medication Management
Assisted living facilities provide medication management as one of their core services. This includes SAMM (Self-Administration of Medication) and LMA (Limited Medication Administration). Any change to a resident’s medication regimen must be documented in the community’s eMAR system so all staff members can access it. This ensures that everyone is on the same page and can answer any questions a senior might have.
In addition, it helps to have a pharmacy partner that provides education and support to the facility care team. That includes regional administrative symposia, internal staff development programming, and facility-specific in-service education. This helps to reduce the risk of errors, improve adherence and compliance, and increase efficiency. Using an eMAR system that connects with the community’s electronic health record (EHR) also eliminates fragmented documentation, as notes can be added at the point of service and seen immediately by anyone who needs to see them. This can help to avoid missed doses or drug interactions that could be dangerous or cause adverse reactions.
Socialization
Symptoms of depression and anxiety can become severe among aging adults who live alone. Seeing these signs could indicate that it’s time to talk about assisted living for your loved one. Seniors who live alone are more likely to develop health problems due to a lack of daily socialization. Assisted living facilities foster friendships between residents through planned activities, hobby clubs, and excursions. Having regular interactions with others helps seniors feel energized and promotes a strong sense of self-worth.
Moreover, they won’t have to worry about housekeeping or home maintenance, as these responsibilities are handled by staff. Plus, they can enjoy meals prepared by trained chefs using nutritionally balanced fresh ingredients. This can help your loved one maintain their appetite. In addition, 24-hour staff members are available to assist when needed. This can decrease the risk of falls, a common cause of injuries for seniors who live alone.
Comments are closed.