What Types of Services Can I Expect from an Assisted Living Community?

If your loved one is showing signs that they require some help with the activities of daily living, you’ve likely been seeking out resources to help navigate the type of support they realistically need. Often, this is the time seniors and their families consider the prospect of transitioning to an assisted living community. Many offer an abundance of services that can make moving to an assisted living residence incredibly helpful and worthwhile.

Assisted living is a residential offering for seniors that require a certain level of nursing care and other daily support services. These types of communities generally provide residents with a blend of housing, care, and daily assistance, and many apply a particular emphasis on activities that help seniors become stronger, healthier, and more social or active.

As you and your loved one gather information on this option, you may be wondering what you can realistically expect in terms of services from an assisted living community. The level of support a resident receives does vary depending on the offerings of your location. Therefore, it’s important to identify which communities have precisely what you’re looking for. Following is a summary of some of the services you may need or want to consider.

Assistance with ADLs

Assisted living communities provide just that: assistance, at whatever level a resident may require to navigate daily life—while still managing most activities on their own. Residents in these communities do not require constant care, but rather still maintain a level of independence. Your loved one may, for example, be able to get around on their own, but they might have some difficulty with certain activities of daily living (ADLs), like bathing or getting dressed. Staff members working in the community are available to help with those tasks.

Medication Management 

It’s not uncommon for seniors to struggle with taking medication consistently—in the exact prescribed dosages and at the correct times. Depending on your loved one’s specific physical and mental health needs, there could be many different medications to manage, with quantities and/or physician directives changing as circumstances change. Handling this process properly is absolutely critical to a senior’s health and well-being. That is why assisted living communities provide services in this area, employing a trained caregiving team to manage and administer medications daily.

Full Dining Services

As meal preparation becomes more difficult or tiring for a senior, they may not get the proper nutrition they require. If your loved one feels that going to the grocery store and/or preparing meals is increasingly burdensome for them, they could benefit from the dining services offered at an assisted living community.

Especially for seniors with medical conditions that impact diet restrictions (like diabetes or heart disease), having access to full dining services is extremely valuable. Assisted living communities can shoulder the often difficult responsibility of managing a healthy, nutritious diet, and they even provide an opportunity for residents to dine with others if/when they desire.

Housekeeping, Maintenance & Laundry

For lots of seniors, maintaining their homes and yards is a real challenge, including anything from changing a lightbulb to mowing the lawn and keeping the house clean. At an assisted living community that provides these types of services, the extra burden is eliminated. Some also offer personal laundry services for seniors who have difficulty managing this effort. If your loved one struggles with laundry or prefers not to handle this effort, look for an assisted living community that includes it as a service.

Transportation   

If your loved one is no longer able to drive or doesn’t feel comfortable doing so, getting around can be a challenge, especially if the schedules of family and friends make it difficult to assist in this area. Many assisted living residents appreciate the opportunity to take advantage of transportation services. Plenty of assisted living communities offer transportation to medical appointments, errands, shopping, activities, and more.

Exercise & Wellness Programs

Regular physical activity has been shown to help protect against heart disease and stroke. It’s also a great way to reduce stress, help manage weight and improve brain fitness. One of the greatest benefits of moving into an assisted living community is access to exercise and wellness programs. From swimming and aerobics to yoga and more, consider what options each assisted living community offers for keeping your loved one healthy and active.

Emergency Response & Access to Nursing Care

Even with a healthy amount of independence, accidents or illness can occur, so it’s essential to choose a community that provides 24/7 emergency response to address any issues that arise.

And while assisted living communities are not medical establishments, many have medical care available seven days a week, typically in the form of on-site nurses. Having nurses on call and nearby to assess an emergent situation is tremendously valuable and can ensure that your loved one gets the care they need right away. 

Be sure to think about not just your loved one’s current situation, but also their reality as it may evolve over time. A senior’s needs today might not be the same as those a few months or years down the road. Some assisted living communities have the option to increase care as needed. If this is something you’re focused on, make sure you prioritize this factor in your search.

Memory Care

Some assisted living communities offer memory care for residents diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, which involves specialized services to help maintain their health and safety. These residents may live among the general assisted living population in the early stages of memory loss and then, as their condition progresses, move into the memory care section of the assisted living community. There, they have access to staff members who are specifically trained in dementia and Alzheimer's care.

For additional tips on senior health and lifestyle issues, check out our blog. To find out how United Methodist Homes provides a wealth of offerings and opportunities to support the health and well-being of our residents, contact us today or schedule a complimentary visit now.