An assisted living center or senior living home is a residential living facility designed exclusively for people with limited mobility or for senior citizens who are unable or unwilling to live on their own. There are many senior home companion services offered by senior care facilities across the country. Senior home care services focus on providing the companionship that older persons need in order to maintain their independence and to provide the personal care that they may have missed during their working years.
Many seniors opt for an assisted living option because they can no longer care for themselves or they’ve reached the end of their natural life expectancy and can’t live on their own. Others may be healthy and want to remain in their home, but they or their loved one can’t because of various health issues. Still others may be injured and need to stay in a rehabilitation facility. There are many assisted living options that offer services to these special needs individuals, so it’s not necessary to make the decision based on whether or not your loved one will need such services. Assisted living is also a great senior living option for a loved one who wants to continue having contact with friends and family members while getting the assistance they need.
One of the services provided at assisted living facilities is meal preparation. Seniors and those with various disabilities can eat in peace knowing that their meals are prepared and served to them by specially trained staff. Meals are generally served three times a day, breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This helps the senior patient feel like they are truly being fed and provides them with the opportunity to get the nutrition that they need. Many assisted living facilities have also begun offering meals at the facility, which allow residents to have a more hands-on experience with preparing their meals.
Many assisted living communities also offer medical and dental care on a paid basis. In most cases, elderly and disabled individuals are unable to perform these tasks on their own and rely on their loved ones or community members to help them. Seniors and those with special needs often require special medical attention, which take up a lot of time, money, and effort to prepare for. Many of these senior living homes offer medical professionals on hand for emergency situations, but the nursing home stays usually end when the senior resident has recovered and is feeling much healthier.
Another service provided at many assisted living facilities is housekeeping services. This includes cleaning, laundry, and housekeeping tasks that can help keep residents from becoming overwhelmed. Some facilities even offer home fitness classes as part of their housekeeping services. Keeping senior citizens in shape is an important part of their lives, so it’s nice to know there is someone there who will be doing their exercise workouts and helping them with their diet plans. The staff may even take special notes and do other things for the elderly resident to help them feel at home and comfortable.
Personal care is also another aspect of assisted living that tends to appeal to seniors who need extra assistance with daily activities. These services include personal grooming and exercise regimes. These may include massage, brushing and hair brushing, and exercise classes such as yoga and Tai Chi. The personal care is generally provided by licensed professionals at home-like facilities, so there is typically someone who can be contacted in case of an emergency. There may also be aides available in the facility to provide help with the senior’s basic needs.
One aspect of assisted living that is not often thought of is recreation. These facilities often have access to state of the art fitness equipment, community gathering areas, and other options for residents to participate in recreational activities. Residents can choose to pursue indoor activities, outdoor activities, or travel. They can also join private clubs within the facility, and some facilities have cultural centers and library access. Residents can access these services as much as they like, and the activities may include cooking, dancing, playing games, and socializing with other residents.
Assisted living communities are usually managed by a company that sells or rents the property, rather than directly contracting with medical care facilities. The assisted living communities do not have a management staff on staff, so the senior living option has the freedom to choose their own manager. This freedom of choice is one of the major draws to the assisted living communities, as the senior living option is not tied down to any specific medical care facility. The senior living option can enjoy life to the fullest, knowing that they have options for all their needs, no matter how the needs arise.