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Assisted living facilities


What are assisted living facilities?

Assisted living facilities come in many shapes and forms. It can include assisted home care, residential care, retirement communities or full nursing care. The uniting factor is that they are facilities, usually special homes, aimed at seniors who can no longer carry out the regular daily tasks that most of us take for granted such as going to the toilet, washing, bathing, getting dressed, cooking, and eating without assistance.
It is often said that these homes are a bridge between being able to live at home and function normally and living in a nursing home where medical supervision is provided.

Maintaining independence and dignity

The idea of assisted living facilities is that the elderly person in question can continue to function as close to normal as possible and retain a sense of independence and belonging to a community. This in turn promotes a sense of freedom for the senior.

Types of assistance

Assisted living for the elderly can offer a range of facilities. These can include continued medical supervision and assistance with medication, assistance with basic hygiene, housekeeping and the provision of nutritious, well-balance meals. In addition some care facilities also offer assistance in legal and financial matters if requested.

Health care

One of the biggest advantages of senior assisted living is that the facilities usually provide excellent services in terms of medical and nursing assistance. They have expert health care professionals such as doctors, nurses, physiologists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and chiropodists who are on hand to give guidance and advice. More importantly, there are available if urgent medical attention is required. It is not unusual for these professionals to work in association with the local health centre or hospital out-patients department.

It’s important to remember that assisted living care facilities are not nursing homes though. Where nursing can be rather depressing paces, assisted living facilities are usually bright and lively environments.

Designed for elderly people


Assisted living facilities are strategically in tune with the needs of elderly people. Each resident is assessed individually on entry and a care plan is created for them. They are linked to appropriate health care professionals who work with the carers and the elderly person to ensure that they have the best possible care.

One of the biggest worries for people entering assisted living facilities is that they are handing over their important personal responsibilities to others. However, this should not be a concern as everyone works to achieve the best possible care and life style for the elderly person, aiming to give them a sense of independence and dignity.

Conclusion

There is a trend these days for elderly people to live alone in their own homes as long as possible. Whilst this is admirable if the person concerned can cope and is in daily contact with other people, many old people feel isolated and alone in their own homes, unable to cope with day to day living. Moving to an assisted living facility can be a great alternative.

Other articles of interest:

Residential care




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