Many seniors opt for assisted living because they have become worn down from taking care of their own home and managing all its responsibilities themselves – from cooking, cleaning, shopping and raking – as well as any mobility limitations due to illness or injury.
On-site services will include meals, housekeeping, transportation and social programs – most of these covered under their base fee as well.
Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
Activities of daily living (ADLs) are one of the primary measures used to assess whether a senior requires help at home or an assisted care facility. ADLs include bathing and grooming, dressing, toileting and transferring or ambulating.
Health professionals or organizations responsible for long-term care usually conduct ADL assessments of seniors. These evaluations help determine the level of assistance a senior needs, which in turn can impact eligibility for state and federal benefits as well as long-term care insurance coverage. Often these services can be offered either independently or alongside other forms of support services.
Meal Preparation
Offering seniors a diverse selection of meals is key to providing person-centered care. This can be accomplished by making food available 24 hours a day – such as fresh fruit and vegetables, ice cream, soups, cereals and cookies etc.
Meal preparation services can also be an essential service for those with special dietary requirements such as diabetes or other health conditions, who require pre-cooked and frozen meals for later consumption – known as batch cooking.
Caregivers can assist residents by planning meals, purchasing groceries and prepping ingredients ahead of time to reduce effort, stress and waste. Each resident can have his or her meal plan customized according to his/her dietary needs and physician orders; menus are usually reviewed by a registered dietitian to ensure nutritional balance as well as compliance with any special dietary accommodations or accommodations.
Housekeeping
As adults age, their physical strength and stamina decrease dramatically. Tasks such as dusting high places or cleaning toilets become difficult or dangerous.
Light housekeeping services are typically provided in assisted living facilities to keep the room and common areas organized, thus helping your loved one maintain a safer, cleaner environment while decreasing the risk of falls from bending, lifting and reaching.
As you tour a facility, be sure to inquire about its housekeeping schedule and policies as well as employee interactions between residents and one another. FitzPatrick recommends visiting during different activities or mealtimes for an unbiased view of its atmosphere; also carefully review contract details before signing your contract agreement.
Transportation
When driving becomes unsafe or car ownership is no longer an option, many assisted living communities provide scheduled transportation services for shopping trips, appointments and special events. This relieves them of worrying about navigating hazardous intersections or weathering snowstorms on their own.
Local town departments frequently offer para-transit services tailored specifically for senior residents. These services operate like regular bus services but offer reduced fares specifically tailored towards seniors.
Ride-hailing apps may provide another convenient and cost-efficient transport option for seniors, providing doorstep transport at the touch of a button. Because trips are combined together to reduce costs and make these rides often less costly than taxi rides. Unfortunately, this service may not always be available in all locations.
Socialization
Assisted living facilities often host social activities for their residents, such as group outings, games, cultural events, exercise classes, dancing classes and dancing events. These events help seniors remain socially connected to others and reduce feelings of loneliness or isolation.
Encourage your loved one to participate in all available activities, and make an effort to meet other residents. Consider visiting frequently and taking them out for lunch or dinner if possible.
Be mindful that it may take new residents time to integrate into existing friend groups, so don’t push too hard. Feel free to speak with staff members about interest-based social clubs and other opportunities such as yoga classes for seniors or learning popular TikTok dance moves.