Why Choose Assisted Living?

You might be wondering why a family would choose assisted living for their loved one.

As our elderly loved ones age, you do your very best to take care of them for as long as you can.  Caring for them and tending to their daily needs can be very compensating yet exhausting!

But as time passes, it can become increasingly demanding and far more than you’re capable of handling. When this happens, you have to consider what’s best for everyone.

 

What is Assisted Living?

Assisted living communities are specially designed for seniors who want to remain active and independent but need a hand to steer a happy life. Assisted living communities just like Amber Court provide benefits that may not be available to seniors living in their homes.

The extent of care concerned with assisted living provides support so that an aging person can enjoy optimal independence. An assisted senior living community is the perfect solution for seniors who might need support with activities of daily living and other sorts of care.

With a supportive staff and updated technology, residents can maximize their independence. They can also live daily in a warm, comfortable, safe environment while enjoying new experiences.

 

Reasons Why You Should Consider Assisted Living

Choosing to relocate aging loved ones out of their home and into an assisted senior living community can be difficult. So, why should you consider it?

There are lots of reasons to consider assisted living communities. As a social residential setting, assisted living offers amazing services that fulfill both present and future needs.

 

 

Meal preparation

Meal preparation becomes harder as you age, putting seniors at higher risk for poor nutrition. Grocery purchase and going to the stores is often a burden for the elderly. The assistance of a caregiver at home daily is not quite feasible for everyone. So, for that reason, the best option is to make special provisions for meals to be prepared based on a nutritionally balanced diet developed by a registered dietitian.

 

Assistance with Daily Activities

One of the foremost important benefits of assisted senior living is receiving help with daily activities. Some residents may require help with getting dressed, bathing, personal hygiene, or going to the bathroom.  Assistance with daily activities also helps to guarantee the security of the residents.

Caregivers are available 24 hours each day, 7 days a week, to assist residents with personal daily activities. Residents can usually create a schedule for routine private care, including eating meals, bathing, or getting dressed in the morning. However, caregivers are always available to handle unscheduled needs also. In addition to daily activities, assisted living offers rehabilitation services, salon services, and cultural outings.

 

A Comfortable Living Environment

Assisted living communities offer maintenance-free apartments or suites with a full range of amenities and supportive services. There is a home-like feeling with personal privacy, freedom, and independence.

 

Medication Management

As people age, managing medication becomes overwhelming. Identifying medications becomes difficult with diminished vision. Remembering to take medication becomes difficult with impaired cognition, and getting refills becomes difficult as more frequent doctors’ visits are necessary, as are trips to the pharmacy. You can consider assisted living service as a medication management option if daily monitoring of care isn’t possible at home. Not only can you assist in the administration of medication, but you also work alongside your physician to manage refills and monitor any medication changes.

 

 

Socialization

Without someone to share your everyday joy with, you start to feel lonely. Living alone can cause isolation and depression. With assisted living communities, you’ve got the chance to socialize with others and participate in various activities. Assisted living communities are the best way to prevent any unexpected decrease in socialization at home. Group activities, like cooking courses, painting, book clubs, and exercise classes, offer an excellent way to stay healthy. It is the best way to activate the spirit, body, and mind.

 

Safety risks

Assisted senior living is the best choice when the safety and wellbeing of an individual is in danger. If your elderly beloved is susceptible to falls, leaving hazardous appliances on, and/or unable to climb stairs unassisted, then formal intervention becomes necessary. Assisted living communities offer a comfortable and secure environment for the elderly. They offer an emergency response system so that individuals can call for help in case of an emergency. Knowing that majority of their needs can be met under one roof with housekeeping and laundry services available, alongside meal preparation, medication management, therapy, and on-site physician’s offices brings peace of mind.

 

Transportation

Most seniors can no longer drive, while others may prefer not to drive in heavy traffic.  Therefore, almost all communities offer transportation to residents’ doctor’s appointments. For those communities which provide scheduled social and cultural activities and community events. They also provide transportation to those events.

 

Safety/Peace of mind

Probably, the major reason for choosing assisted living is the reassurance that your elderly loved one is well taken care of.  Knowing that staff is available 24/7 to care for your loved one and that your elderly relative is enjoying a strong quality of life, gives you peace of mind. Additionally, one of the many benefits of assisted living is that it allows seniors in need of memory care, or those with physical challenges, to gain a sense of independence. Having secure entrances and exits provides greater protection for the residents. Furthermore, most communities have monitoring systems within the rooms that alert staff if a resident needs help.

 

Concerned About the Cost of Assisted Living?

Assisted senior living communities can range in cost significantly. Some communities, like Amber Court, work with Medicaid, whereas some communities are exclusively private pay.

Medicaid is a federal and state health insurance program for people with limited income and resources. For the elderly, the program offers lots of benefits, such as personal care and home care services. However, Medicaid benefits can vary from state to state.

To learn more about Medicaid in your area, you should visit your state website or visit the Social Security website at https://www.ssa.gov/disabilityresearch/wi/medicaid.htm. These sites offer qualification information as well.

In NY, Medicaid has an  Assisted Living Program (ALP) that offers amazing Medicaid services for assisted living.

In NJ, the program is similar but referred to as the Medicaid-Waiver Program.

Most assisted living services only accept long-term care insurance and private pay. This cost may rise to $10,000/month or more. For people who cannot pay privately, they can utilize Medicaid to make Assisted Living more affordable. For a full list of communities that accept Medicaid, please visit your local state department of health website. These programs are generally best suited for those who have limited income and resources and may thrive in a less restrictive environment rather than being in a skilled nursing facility or nursing home.

The benefits of assisted living are endless as well as priceless. Finding a community that gives aging loved ones the care they need and deserve, and a chance to have a great quality of life, is invaluable. The Amber Court Assisted living family provides privacy and independence, but they also provide care and safety for your loving family member.