Friendship, Food, and Peace of Mind: 5 Top Assisted Living Benefits

After a life of working and caring for others, your senior loved ones deserve the physical and mental well-being of a happy retirement. Assisted living communities offer social interaction, a full and productive lifestyle, safety, and just the right support for seniors who are largely independent, but may need some daily care.

Consider these five benefits of assisted living communities to understand how a move to assisted living could help your aging relative enjoy happiness and health.

1. No more boredom

After retirement, seniors may be overwhelmed by free time. These extra hours can be used to pursue passions or pick up new hobbies. Many assisted living communities offer activities that appeal to all walks of life, such as:

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• Movie nights offer classic entertainment with old favorite films, popcorn, and snacks.
• Communal gardens, which give older adults the opportunity to spend time outside.
• Art and music classes meant to teach new skills and encourage creativity.
• Poker and card tournaments, which engage seniors in friendly competition.
• Book clubs, to promote discussions between friends.

2. The help seniors need, when they need it

One of the key assisted living benefits is help with activities of daily living (ADLs). This can mean anything from occasional assistance getting dressed to daily incontinence care.

If an adult is independent when they move in, but needs more care as they age, that assistance is available on-site and can be quickly arranged. Health-related benefits of assisted living communities include:

• Caregiver aid, from bathing to escorting residents to dining areas and activities.
• Medication management to keep track of prescriptions.
• Senior care coordination, which includes transportation to doctor’s appointments and some on-site medical services.
• On-call nurses or trained staff to respond to emergencies.

3. Intellectual stimulation

Mental stimulation may lower the risk of long-term cognitive decline. Opportunities for life-long learning are among the many benefits of assisted living facilities. From lending libraries and language lessons to woodworking shops, there are plenty of ways seniors can stay engaged.

• Communities have access to stimulating resources and brain games designed to slow cognitive decline.
• Guest lecturers and local professors may come to speak about popular topics, like art history or flower arranging, at assisted living communities.
• Computer rooms and personal tablets are often available, and community staff can help seniors develop technical skills.

4. Safety and security for seniors

Keeping seniors healthy and safe stands out as one of the main assisted living benefits that spurs caregivers to seek a new home for their loved one. Security-related benefits of assisted living facilities include:

• Minimized fall risks. Falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries in seniors 65 and older, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Assisted living communities are designed for accessibility and mobility, with ramps, flat thresholds, and hallway hand railings. Raised toilets, specially designed walk-in showers, and grab bars in bathrooms also reduce the likelihood of falls.
• Security. Elderly people are often targets for break-ins and scams. Senior living communities utilize security companies and alarm systems to provide peace of mind.
• Disaster preparation. Elderly people aging in place are responsible for checking smoke detectors, installing carbon monoxide alarms, and replacing fire extinguishers. In the event of an emergency — like a tornado, earthquake, or fire — they might have to find safety on their own. Assisted living communities have disaster plans and staff prepared to help seniors in case of emergency.
• On-call staff. Emergency call buttons in assisted living apartment communities are used to notify staff in case of falls or injuries. This means seniors don’t have to worry about struggling to contact help or waiting to be found after a medical event at home.

 5. A healthier lifestyle, without the effort

Elderly adults have unique fitness and nutrition needs. Living at home, the task of preparing healthy, balanced meals and organizing transportation to fitness classes or physical therapy falls to seniors or their family members. However, many assisted living benefits improve senior health, such as:

Dining services, which provide flavor and nutrition

All-inclusive dining takes the guesswork out of cooking healthy meals, and it saves seniors and family members from the stress of specialized diets. Assisted living communities offer dietitian-approved meals for diabetic diets, high cholesterol, and more. Meals incorporate the full food pyramid, including important vitamins for seniors.

On-site exercise classes, which offer variety and fitness

Assisted living communities offer supervised, safe exercise programs for seniors of all abilities. Physical activity keeps aging adults healthy longer, improves cognitive function, and is a great social outlet.