Senior living options are looking a lot more glamorous these days.
In a recent New York Times story, senior living communities with emphasis on luxury are rising in popularity around the United States.
Similarly in South Africa a range of options are becoming available for retired or senior citizens. Furthermore, the focus on mental care in addition to senior care has also improved, and the combination of luxury assisted living homes for senior citizens with dementia have become more prevalent.
What is Assisted Living?
It is easy to assume that a senior assisted living community is the new “nursing home” or “retirement home.” However, senior care professionals and senior living designers have worked over the past 30 years to revolutionise communities to make them truly feel like home.
Assisted living homes, residences or communities are for those that can no longer take care of themselves and require assistance with things like dressing, washing, medication management, cooking and so forth. Although additional care is available, residents are encouraged to be as independent as possible.
When Is It Time To Consider An Assisted Living Home?
There could be a number of reasons to consider an assisted living, or senior home.
Some seniors may be cognitively or physically unable to live on their own. They may be developing or living with chronic health conditions such as heart disease or diabetes. They may be facing the cognitive decline associated with Alzheimer’s or some other form of dementia.
In addition, many consider assisted living once their spouse has passed, or they’ve had a medical scare and living alone is simply not an option. Assisted living, or senior residences that combine necessary care with independent living are the best choice for these adults.
What Facilities Should You Look For In A Senior Assisted Living Home?
- Social interaction with others of their age and comfortable spaces that contribute towards being social.
- Internet facilities and wifi options are ideal and help residents keep in touch with families much more easily. From text messaging to social sharing platforms and video chat sessions, many feel like they can “visit” their family members anytime they want and do not feel isolated.
- Choice and a Voice. Almost all of the modern day options for senior living revolve around the idea of choice. This means that seniors want to choose between different levels of care, dining options, residential finishes and much more.
- Activities including a variety of exercise and wellness programmes for every level to stimulate physical and cognitive function.
- Cleaning & laundry facilities, and done for you.
- Qualified nursing or care staff. For added safety, the staff should be available 24 hours a day, and licensed nursing services should be available on property.
- Security. Round the clock security to check who enters and leaves the premises.
- Couple friendly. Most communities will work to accommodate couples in assisted living by placing them into double occupancy apartments, but this also depends on the individual needs of each person.
- Pet friendly is a bonus. Having your beloved pet with you, whether a dog, cat, bird or fish greatly aids in mental wellbeing.
- Transport. For those that are still relatively independent, escorted transport to and from either shopping malls and or events is greatly beneficial.
- Dementia facilities. If your loved one has dementia or Alzheimer’s, look out for dedicated memory care facilities and care programs which are designed to decrease agitation and improve their quality of life. Memory care is considered to be specialised assisted living that is secure to protect residents, and also has staff specially trained to care for those with the disease.
Livewell provides specialised senior assisted living for those with dementia and Alzheimer’s in a luxurious, assisted living residence. Our ethos is to make our residents feel at home.