If you have a loved one who is having trouble caring for themselves at home, it can be difficult to know if an assisted living facility is the right choice for your situation. You may be wondering how assisted communities work and if it is the best way to provide care for your loved one.

Generally, assisted living communities are made up of one or more of the following:

Apartments
Private rooms
Shared living spaces

All communities are designed to be handicap accessible and provide daily assistance with personal and/or medical care.

For more clarification on how an assisted living facility works and other helpful tips, continue reading.

Assisted Living Communities Offer a Path to Independence

An assisted living facility offers benefits beyond help with daily personal and medical tasks. They offer a person the chance to maintain their independence for a longer period.

You cannot put a price tag on freedom and independence; an assisted living facility gives a person a chance to maintain their dignity and continue living their lives doing the things they enjoy.

Many people place assisted living communities and communities in the same box as a nursing home; however, they are quite different. Assisted living communities are more of a home-like setting with care available and nearby but not as involved as in a nursing home setting.

A nursing home is more of a hospital setting than a home setting. Assisted living communities are also generally much less expensive as the residents do not require as much help and care as a nursing home resident.

Stay tuned to learn about services commonly provided to residents of an assisted living facility.

What to Expect When Living in an Assisted Living Facility

Since everyone has different needs, services may vary from one resident to another; however, most assisted living communities and communities offer the following services to those who require them.

Cleaning and Laundry Services

If light cleaning and help getting the laundry done are what you need, you will be happy to know that most communities offer these types of services to make your daily life easier. These types of services can be scheduled daily or just as needed, but most communities include these specific services in their base rates.

Meals

If you find that cooking has become a challenge, don’t worry because assisted living communities offer at least three meals per day and offer light cooking assistance for those living in an apartment-style setting.

Medical Services and Emergency Care

Many general medical concerns can be handled by the professionals at the assisted living facility. Services may vary from community to community, but one thing they all have in common is access to emergency care should something happen.

Medication Management

If you find yourself wondering if you took your medications as scheduled, you can find peace of mind in knowing that an assisted living facility can be sure you get your medications when you are supposed to, so there are no missed or double doses.

Personal Care

If bathing, getting dressed, and other general tasks of this nature are becoming cumbersome, an assisted living facility will be sure a friendly caretaker will be there with you every step of the way until you are comfortable and ready to take on the day or night.

Social and Recreational Activities

Moving from a place you have lived for a long time can be difficult. It is a big change to leave your home, friends, family, and routine.

For that reason, assisted living communities like to offer plenty of social and recreational activities to keep residents mingling and moving.

Most assisted living communities offer common areas where people can go and hang out or enjoy a meal together. Some communities have shared kitchens where everyone can cook if they are up to the task.

Don’t Pay For Services You Don’t Need

Now you can see all that an assisted living facility has to offer so you can make a decision that is best for you or your loved one. An assisted living facility is the better option if you are still able to do most tasks independently. You can save money by not having twenty-four-hour nursing care but still have help close by if you find yourself in need.

We Care Senior Solutions

If you or your loved one is on the search for an Assisted Living Facility near you, we’d love to help you navigate your search. We’ve helped many people find the right place for them. You can reach out to us directly by filling out the form here.