What Is Assisted Living?

What Is Assisted Living?

What is assisted living? Assisted living is difficult to define because it can be found in all shapes and sizes. According to the National Institutes on Aging, it’s a residential care option for seniors who want to retain their independence but may need a little assistance with daily care. However, the residents of assisted living communities don’t need as much care as the residents of a nursing home or rehabilitation center. You’ll want to shop around and ask lots of questions to find a community that suits your needs, budget, and sense of community.

Assisted Living Services

What kinds of services do assisted living communities provide? The specifics vary by community. However, most assisted living communities provide the following services:

• Assistance with personal care
• Meal service
• Laundry
• Housekeeping
• Management of medication
• Care coordination
• Transportation services
• Home maintenance and repair services
• Coordination of social activities and outings
• 24-hour emergency services

Assisted Living Spaces

What is the living space like in assisted living? Most assisted living residences are studio or one- or two-bedroom apartments. Most also offer residents access to shared public spaces for meal times, social activities, and other programs. Some communities may have amenities like beauty salons, stores, gyms, pharmacies, or walking paths on site. Others are located near a larger town or city and provide regularly scheduled transportation for residents so that they can shop and run errands as needed.

Assisted Living Advantages

Why do seniors choose to call assisted living communities home? This senior housing option offers several advantages:

• Peace of Mind. Assisted living offers a mix of independence and help that’s ideal for seniors who want to be able to do their own thing with the knowledge that support is available if it’s needed. An assisted living address also offers peace of mind for family members who are close in spirit but physically distant.
• Convenience. Residing in an assisted living community means that you can leave the bulk of the cooking, heavy cleaning, and household maintenance to someone else. That gives you more time to spend on things you enjoy.
• Community. An active social life is fun. It’s also good for your brain and your overall well-being. Assisted living communities often have active social calendars that are packed with interesting events, outings, and opportunities. As a resident, there’s no reason to be lonely. Whenever you want company, you can simply venture into one of the community’s public spaces, and there’s a chance that you’ll find some of your neighbors or friendly staff members.

If you’re searching for a senior housing alternative that offers the perfect mix of independence and support, check out assisted living.