About 1.4% of American seniors live in assisted living communities. This is quite a small percentage, and this may be partially because people don't know what senior living communities have to offer. They may not know when it's time to take the plunge and move somewhere new.
Being independent or living with family can be wonderful, but how do you know when it's time to make a change for yourself or your senior loved one?
We're here to talk about it. Read on to learn all about some indications that it's time for a senior living community.
Over one in four seniors experience a fall every year. This is a significant number of people. While falls may not seem significant for younger adults, they can be incredibly dangerous for seniors.
If you or a loved one is experiencing falls or other safety issues, senior living can provide a secure and supportive environment. A senior care community is heavily monitored and built with safety in mind.
While falls could still happen, they're less likely and there will always be someone nearby to help, making the falls far less risky.
There are so many day-to-day tasks to take care of when you're managing a household. Even if it's only a household of one, there are responsibilities that the average person must attend to. As you get older, they become more and more tiresome.
If everyday activities like bathing, dressing, or managing medications are becoming too challenging, an assisted living community can offer assistance and support.
Seniors will have professionals helping them with all of their day-to-day tasks so they can relax and enjoy their golden years.
Loneliness and social isolation pose legitimate and serious health risks for seniors. It can be more and more difficult as the years go on to continue maintaining connections with people as it gets harder to get from place to place and as people move away.
If you or your senior loved one is feeling lonely or disconnected from others, a senior community can provide opportunities for socialization and community engagement. The elderly care community is full of other seniors who may end up becoming excellent friends.
Many seniors have to make the decision to stop driving at some point. Unless they happen to live somewhere with accessible and affordable public transportation, this can turn into a huge problem. They can become cut off from the rest of the world.
If driving or accessing transportation is becoming difficult, senior living can provide transportation services when necessary. These communities also have almost anything a senior could need available on-site so frequent transportation is less necessary.
Proper nutrition is essential when it comes to senior health. Many seniors struggle to eat enough calories and they may also have a difficult time eating nutrient-dense foods. This is partially due to potential health issues and a lack of desire or ability to spend time cooking.
If cooking and meal preparation are becoming difficult, a senior community can offer healthy and convenient meal options. Seniors no longer need to spend time cooking.
There are meal options for all different lifestyles and health needs so seniors don't have to worry about making any difficult dietary adjustments. They can enjoy chef-quality meals in comfort.
If you or a senior loved one is seeking a sense of community, amenities like fitness classes, art programs, or recreational activities, senior living can offer a vibrant and engaging lifestyle.
Out in the "real world," these amenities aren't nearly as accessible for most people, especially if those people aren't driving. It can be challenging to find and attend any activities, and without a friend to do them with, many people become discouraged and choose not to go.
In a senior community, there are always going to be other seniors attending the same activities and classes. They're excellent opportunities to make friends and build relationships with people.
As we mentioned, loneliness can be dangerous for seniors. Having this community of other people of similar ages and lifestyles can be a game-changer.
Many seniors move in with their younger family members when they're no longer able or willing to live on their own. There are many benefits of this, such as having family support and a senior's ability to help with any children or household tasks. Multigenerational households can be wonderful.
However, they're not always sustainable. If a senior needs more care and attention than a family member is able to provide, the family member may experience caregiver burnout. They may not be able to give the senior person everything they need.
If this happens, it's a sign that an assisted living community may be the next step.
There doesn't have to be some big reason to move into a senior community. A senior can do so just because they'd like to. Perhaps their friends moved in, or they've been doing their research, and they've heard good things.
If you or your senior loved one simply prefers the convenience, comfort, and peace of mind that senior living offers, it may be the right choice. Even if the seniors can still drive, cook, and maintain a household, they may not want to. Why not skip the hassle and move into a safe and supportive senior living community instead?
It can be challenging to decide when it's the "right" time to move to a senior living community. These signs and indications are a great place to start. If any of them seem familiar, it may be time to open up the conversation about an assisted living community.
At Woodbury Mews, one of the excellent Watermark Communities, we offer many fantastic amenities for all of our residents. From restaurant-quality meals to many excellent opportunities for building communities and learning new things, we make sure the seniors in our care can thrive.
If you're ready for luxurious senior living, contact us to learn more about our community.