There is nothing like caring for the elderly in our family. They have so much wisdom and love to give because they have been through and seen so much, and they give us hope that it’s possible to live a long and fruitful life no matter how crazy the world gets. They show us that it’s possible to endure and remain strong no matter what the world throws at us.
But we also can’t deny that we don’t always have the wherewithal to keep our elderly loved ones close and provide them with the kind of life they deserve while life keeps throwing us more responsibilities. From our jobs to our immediate families, we can’t always promise to be 100 percent for our elderly relatives while life keeps throwing us one curveball after another.
If you are thinking of ways to provide a good life for your elderly loved one, here are some reasons why assisted living might be the best option for them.
They will have social support
If your elderly parent or grandparent has a hard time making friends their age, or if they don’t have social circles, you can be sure they will meet friends in an assisted-living facility. This is because they will meet seniors who are more or less their age, and they will also get to know many of the friendly staff members. It will be a wonderful time for your elderly loved ones to feel like they are not alone and for them to build solid and healthy friendships outside of your family. They will have a big community as they navigate the new chapter of their lives, and it will help combat chronic loneliness and feelings of self-isolation.
They will be given professional and compassionate care
If your senior loved one or relative has certain medical conditions that are above your pay grade, assisted living might be the best option for them because it’s where your elderly parent or grandparent can receive the medical treatment and attention they deserve. They will have assistance when they bathe, eat, walk, and other daily activities.
They will be provided fun and independence
Assisted living facilities are not nursing homes. It’s a place where your elderly loved doesn’t just survive but thrive. They will have time to pursue new hobbies and passions that they couldn’t when they were outside. They won’t have to worry about the burden of helping out in the house or all kinds of home maintenance. Residents in assisted living communities have time to catch up on their reading list, do some painting, watch their favorite TV shows, and invest their energy in a lifelong passion. They will have all the time in the world to do what they love.
They will have access to healthy living
If living with you or living on their own has not been the healthiest for them, staying in an assisted living facility might help them finally live a healthier life. They will gain access to delicious yet nutritious meals and will be trained in proper fitness and exercise that’s good for them. Many residents experience personal training sessions and group fitness classes. Some facilities even offer brain exercises to keep the residents’ minds sharp even as time goes by.
It will also be better for their mental health since everyone in the family will have peace and rest assured that their senior loved one is getting the care and attention they deserve in their twilight years. And you can visit them anytime, too!
They will be bestowed the dignity they deserve
The staff members of these facilities are trained to provide care that promotes the dignity of the residents and protects their privacy. This means that your elderly loved ones will have agency, choice, and control over their lives, they will be allowed to communicate with the people they love outside of the facility, they will be given proper nutritional care, and they will also be provided with the medical care they need. Other factors related to their dignity include excellent hygiene, practical assistance in day-to-day lives, privacy, and social inclusion. How can you not want that for your elderly parent or grandparent?
Do Your Research
Before you decide on a facility, make sure that you leave no stone unturned in ensuring its blamelessness and good reputation. These benefits are not always true for all facilities, and your elderly loved one deserves nothing but the best. Arm yourself with information, trust your gut, and know that your elderly loved one is worth all this effort.
