Livelihood is the key to longevity, and University of Chicago studies show that senior communities are, too.
Their analysis of older adults found that community-dwelling seniors live longer and spend less time on antipsychotics than those living independently!
Here, we’ll discuss the benefits of living in a senior living community, including:
- The lifestyle options available
- Personal care
- Individualized plans
- Amenities and accessibility
- Social opportunities
Read on to feel more confident about your decision to move a loved one into a retirement community.
Multiple Senior Living Options
Senior living isn’t one-size-fits-all. The best retirement communities in Slidell, LA, offer multiple programs, including:
- Active independent living that preserves autonomy by allowing community residents to care for most of their own needs
- Assisted living, which brings residents together with compassionate care professionals who help them thrive with all necessary assistance
- Memory care that’s specially designed for those with memory-related issues like dementia and Parkinson’s
The community lifestyle for seniors will vary depending on the senior living option you choose. One of the biggest advantages of senior living is that families can select the care option that best fits their loved one’s needs.
Compassionate Care
The National Council on Aging (NCOA) found that 95% of American seniors struggle with a chronic health condition. 80% struggle with more than one.
These conditions include things like:
- Diabetes
- Arthritis
- Heart disease
Chronic pain and illnesses make getting around challenging. But they’re far from the only problems that older adults face.
Studies published by the National Institutes of Health also found that mobility limitations become more problematic with age. 35% of Americans struggle with movement at age 70, and most people over 85 suffer from a lack of mobility.
Memory problems are also increasingly likely with age. Alzheimer’s and dementia can seriously limit a senior’s quality of life, as can Parkinson’s.
That’s why compassionate personal care is one of the main benefits of an assisted living community!
Assisted living offers:
- Help with hygiene maintenance
- Grooming and personal care services
- Dressing assistance
- Medication management
- Insulin management
- Laundry and linen servicing
- Daily housekeeping
In memory care, residents will also access:
- Activities that boost cognition
- A safe and supportive environment
- Sensory-boosting activities
- A personalized “My Story” book
Ongoing training is always happening for care professionals at SummerHouse Park Provence. This ensures that residents get the highest possible quality of care.
Ultimately, you can rely on kind and enthusiastic caregivers who are excited to get to know your loved one. Assistance is personal and compassionate, which helps to keep spirits up.
Personally-Tailored Care Plans
The best Slidell senior living communities also offer the benefits of individualized care plans for residents. This means that caregivers will:
- Sit down with new senior residents and their family members
- Discuss what the new resident is struggling with
- Figure out what care community will be the best fit for their challenges
- Determine what specific tasks caregivers should help with
- Create an outline for what tasks will be done each day for the senior
Plans are 100% adaptable as the resident’s needs change. Good communities keep families posted about any changes that they should know about. You won’t ever be out of the loop.
Gorgeous Amenities
The best senior housing options involve resort-style apartments. Whether they’re two-bedroom units or single-occupancy suites, great surroundings are one major benefit of a senior community.
SummerHouse Park Provence offers several amenities in our apartments, including:
- Comfortable furnishings
- Large windows for natural light
- Climate control
- Kitchenettes
- Wide, open spaces for easy navigation
- Pet-friendly areas
- Ample storage space
- Walk-in closets
But the apartment is just the tip of the iceberg. Community amenities are just as important since they’re where your loved one will spend a good chunk of their day. These social areas include:
- Restaurant-style dining areas
- Libraries
- Recreational centers
- Lounges
- Card and games rooms
- Outdoor relaxation areas
- Outdoor walking paths
- Professional salons
They’re important for community residents who want to build connections and remain active as they age.
A Strong Community
A strong sense of community and interconnectedness is among the most important retirement living benefits. Research published by the National Institute on Aging cites seniors as more prone to isolation and loneliness than young people.
Luckily, senior living communities nip these problems in the bud!
Your loved one can take advantage of several activities, including:
- Game nights
- Movie nights
- Themed dances
- Exercise groups
- Church gatherings
- Crafting workshops
- Dance troupes
Plus, community members live right next door to their friends. They can spend time in common areas together daily and nurture close relationships.
Relief for Louisiana Familial Caregivers
While your loved one enjoys elderly community perks, you also may benefit from no longer needing to be a 24-hour caregiver.
No matter how much you love your parent or grandparent, taking leaves of absence from work isn’t always viable. It’s stressful and can lead to resentment.
It is also physically demanding to provide physical care for a loved one, and it could cause injuries for caregivers who don’t have the right training and equipment. Uninformed care can also cause injuries to your aging loved one, which is everyone’s nightmare.
Luckily, a great LA senior living community will have all the tools and resources needed to care for residents appropriately.
Care experts aren’t just excited to greet residents with a smile. They also know exactly how to handle day-to-day care and emergency situations efficiently and safely.
This reduces the likelihood of injuries. You also will be able to visit your loved one and spend stress-free, resentment-free quality time with them.
When you’re not the primary caregiver, you can fall back into your role as a fun-to-interact-with family member.
Invest in a Great Senior Living Community
Understanding the advantages of a senior living community is the first step toward a smooth transition. However, it’s far from the end of your research journey.
SummerHouse Park Provence is committed to helping families in Slidell, LA, choose a senior community with confidence. We’ll answer all your questions and take you through the steps toward making a successful selection.
Our variety of care plans ensures that your loved one can find the perfect community to suit their needs. Contact us to schedule a tour and learn more about our community!
