Preparing for the Transition into Assisted Living
Caring for elderly folk involves a lot of time, effort, and devotion. They may need constant attention or assistance with carrying out simple daily tasks. You’ll also need to make your home more secure by adding handrails and night lights. Assisted living homes offer a secure place with trained staff to care for elderly folks.
Assisted living facilities offer personal services such as bathing and grooming. The staff can also aid with taking medication. Social and recreational activities are held for the residents to take part in. Residents can enjoy services such as laundry and housekeeping. Do assisted living facilities provide meals? Yes, three nutritious meals are given, as well as snacks. Specialized dietary meals may also be catered for those in need.
The assisted living philosophy is to provide support where necessary, while also encouraging independence and enhancing social ties. Personal care apartments are similar to assisted living but differ in the level of care provided.
If you’re considering assisted living, tour the facilities, meet the personnel and residents, get further information, and see what the best option is. If you see a retirement home sign near you, you can also check it out and see what it has to offer.
The move from a personal home to an assisted living home can be a difficult transition for some. Seniors are giving up their independence and moving to a home where they may have to share their living space. They will also lose housing amenities, including a personal kitchen, bathroom, and personal outdoor space. Despite these differences, there are ways that you can help with the transition. These tips will help you successfully transfer your senior loved one into the assisted living home.
Increase comfort
Perhaps the most important aspect you should consider in making the transition easier it comfort. Some seniors find it difficult to find comfort in their new living arrangement. Finding comfort is all about looking for ways to improve their livability. For example, if they find the provided bed to be uncomfortable, consider purchasing your own bedding for it. Additionally, sterile rolled cotton rollers and disposable bed pads can increase the bedding comfort, even if the assisted living facility does not provide them.
Find a suitable walking device for the new residence
Changing a senior?s living situation also changes what they are used to. Your senior parent may have found it easy to get around their house with a walker, but find that using a walker in their new assisted living location is not very easy. Maybe the facility is larger and the same walker does not get them around as easily. Fortunately, there are many walking devices available. About 16.4% of people using walking aids prefer canes, 11.6% of the elderlies use walkers, just over 6% takes the assistance of a wheelchair and about 2.3% use scooters. Consider the layout of the new residence and what the best mobility option is.
Maximize safety
Most seniors make the decision to move to an assisted living facility to increase safety. As a senior gets older and their chronic medical conditions become more prevalent, it can be unsafe to remain at home alone. If you are moving your senior loved one to an assisted living home because of your safety concerns, you will want to maximize the level of safety. If persistent medical conditions are a concern, choose a facility with 24 hour medical care services. If the risk of falling is a concern, make sure you choose a facility with devices like sterile rolled cotton rolls and canes for elderly to prevent falls.
You will also want to work out how and when your senior parent will receive medical visits. Are you responsible for taking them to their medical appointments or is there a medical provider on site? More than a quarter of all Americans and two out of every three older Americans have multiple chronic conditions, and treatment for this population accounts for 66% of the country?s healthcare budget. Choose an assisted living residence with safe sterile rolled cotton rolls and access to medical care, when needed.
Happiness is important to safety
It is also important to consider your senior loved one’s happiness throughout this process. In a recent survey, 81% of retirees cited good health as the most important ingredient for a happy retirement. Allow your senior loved one to be a part of the decision process. Find out what items and supplies they need to make their stay happier. Be prepared with items like bedpans for sale and diapers for adults, without making them request them. Keep in mind that sterile rolled cotton rolls can improve sleep and the comfort of beds and couches. Encourage your senior to enroll in on site activities and to get to know their roommate. The more that they are involved in the residence, the happier and safety they will be.
Many seniors choose to leave their personal house and move into an assisted living facility. Without proper preparation, it can be difficult for them to adjust and they are more likely to be unhappy with the transition. You can make the transition easier for them by increasing comfort, ensuring safety, and finding mobility devices that work. It can also be helpful to consider their needs ahead of time and find ways to improve their least liked aspects of the new home.