Around 16.4% of Louisiana’s population is over the age of 65, which is why senior living support has become so important in the state.
If you’ve got a loved one who needs more and more assistance as they get older, senior living is the answer. Many American families are ill-equipped to deal with the mental and physical health challenges that come with aging. The right assisted living community can give them the quality of life that they deserve.
There are several different types of assisted living, however. Choosing the right senior living assistance comes down to understanding what each one provides.
In today’s post, we’ll explain the differences between senior living levels of care and tell you how to find the right facility for your loved one. Keep reading and let us help you ease this transition as much as possible.
Different Types of Senior Living Explained
It’s important to understand that different senior care facilities are geared towards different needs. If you understand what level of care your loved one needs, you’ll be able to choose the right type of facility. They range from completely independent living to intensive levels of care.
Independent Senior Living
Independent senior living is geared toward aging individuals who don’t have any restrictive health complications. Instead, they provide residences and a community for elderly people to enjoy each other’s company.
A good assisted living facility will have low-maintenance apartments and a variety of amenities for residents to enjoy. The idea is to provide an enriching experience for people transitioning into old age.
Independent living facilities also encompass 55+ retirement communities and luxury senior living centers. If your loved one lives alone in a house or apartment, but is otherwise healthy, this is a great option to increase their social activity.
Assisted Living
Assisted living facilities are meant for those with some health issues relating to aging. The communities are staffed with experienced and compassionate workers who help different residents with their unique needs.
If your loved one needs help with daily tasks, like bathing, cleaning, or taking meds, this is the right choice. It’s still an independent atmosphere, but the necessary help is available to residents who need it.
Skilled Nursing Homes
Skilled nursing facilities help those with more intensive medical needs. Residents generally have chronic health conditions that don’t require hospitalization but do require near-constant attention.
These communities will work closely with health professionals to monitor residents’ health and respond to emergencies.
Memory Care
Memory care is specific to those suffering from cognitive decline. They offer the same types of services as skilled nursing facilities, but staff are trained in dealing with Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Residents may need help in handling the confusion, memory issues, and communication problems that come with cognitive decline. Memory care ensures they’re in a safe and secure environment to give them the best quality of life possible.
Choosing the Right Senior Living Assistance
Understanding what’s available is crucial in determining what type of senior care your loved one needs. Now, let’s discuss how to choose the right facility.
Look at Reviews
The first step in any search for assisted living is to look at reviews. Loved ones of current and former residents can tell you a lot about a community. If there are any major concerns about staff behavior or the quality of the facility, you’ll find out in reviews.
Your Loved One’s Needs
Consider your loved one’s needs and compare them to the different services mentioned above. This will tell you which type of facility you should be looking for.
If they’re getting older but still independent, look for an independent senior care facility. If they’ve been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and symptoms are getting worse, memory care is the best option.
It’s also important to speak with your loved one to figure out what they value in a community. If they’ve got specific interests, you can find a community with the amenities to match.
Senior Living Location Matters
Transitioning into senior care can be difficult. To make it easier, find a community that’s accessible to as many family members as possible. If your loved one has plenty of visitors, especially in the first few months, the transition will be much easier.
Senior Living Amenities and Programming
Every facility is equipped with unique amenities. Some facilities might have swimming pools and spas, while others will have health centers and gardens. Choose a facility that satisfies your loved one’s interests.
All senior living communities should have regularly scheduled programs and events to keep residents occupied. It could be weekly meditation and yoga sessions or a concert series. Communities that put effort into their programs are always great places that promote social activity.
Physical Fitness
Physical fitness is an important part of healthy aging. It’s recommended that seniors get at least 150 hours of moderate physical activity per week.
Getting the proper amount of exercise can help stave off heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and a variety of health issues relating to loss of muscle and bone density. Look for a community that emphasizes healthy living for your loved one’s benefit.
Good Dining
The other side of healthy living is nutrition. All senior living communities should have dining facilities in-house. Look at the menu of each facility’s restaurant to determine how healthy and nutritious these meals are. Good nutrition, like exercise, will help delay and prevent a variety of health issues.
Take a Tour
Lastly, to get a good sense of what a community will be like, you should schedule a tour. This will give your loved one a chance to see how the facility operates and meet some of the senior living staff who will be helping them.
Get the Best Senior Care for Your Loved One
Choosing the right senior living assistance is a big decision. Your loved one may be overwhelmed by this major life transition, but if you choose the right community, this feeling will be short-lived. They’ll have a better social life, a healthier diet, and better physical fitness in no time.
For those in Alexandria, the best choice for senior living is SummerHouse Alexandria. We’ve got an amazing facility with compassionate and experienced staff to help your loved one with their daily needs. Our programming includes activities for everyone and plenty of other amenities.
To schedule a tour of our community, don’t hesitate to contact us today.
