Your current lifestyle may be the overarching factor, which determines whether you would like to live in a senior living facility. Many elderly people are attracted to the idea of residential living for the extensive list of benefits and opportunities available to them; from day-to-day care to organized trips, residential living enables elderly people to have a new lease of life after they retire.
The type of lifestyle you will achieve from a senior living facility will have a certain degree of dependability on what you can afford. According to a National Centre for Assisted Living report, the expected cost for residential living in the United States ranges from $4,000 a month to $48,000 a year. Not all accommodation will offer the same resources or facilities, which is why it is of importance that you filter your searches appropriately by considering:
- What you can afford
- Your expectations
- The services you will require
If you are seriously considering senior living facilities to enhance your lifestyle after retirement, here are nine things you can expect.
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Assisted Living
One of the primary functions of residential facilities for seniors is to provide assisted living for those who need it. Whether it is helping you to the toilet or helping you eat a meal when you live in a residential facility, you can have peace of mind knowing all your needs are attended to.
Other ways you may be given assistance:
- Traveling outside your home
- Mobility
- Cooking
- Self-care
- House maintenance, e.g., cleaning and taking out the trash
Enriched Independence
Many seniors do not require much support with regard to their physical health and capabilities. They can live a highly independent lifestyle in a facility designed to make their life as easy as possible. Residents are given a suitably sized living space, which does not require as much maintenance as a house, which is ideal for any senior who lives alone.
Furthermore, one of the best ways you can live independently in a residential facility is through built-in mediums of assistance. For example, bathrooms may have added rails for support in standing and sitting down, and wheelchair users will have access to ramps to promote independence.
Frontier Management is a residential facility that will value your independence; you can find out more at frontiermgmt.com.
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Leisure
When you retire, it is still important to enjoy activities and leisure throughout the week so that you are not isolated. Residential facilities provide a great deal of leisure activities to assist your health and to encourage happiness and positive social connections in the community. From swimming classes to painting to organized walks, these organizations like to make sure there is something for everyone to enjoy and get involved with.
Other forms of leisure may include:
- Golf
- Exercise e.g., yoga or dance
- Sewing
- Pottery
- Crochet
- Fishing
Healthy Living
An important consideration when looking at possible residential facilities is that they promote healthy living on a broad scale. Not only will it be paramount that your physical health is attended to appropriately by ensuring you attend all your doctor’s appointments and take any relevant medication, but it will also be a priority to ensure your diet is widely nutritional and varied. Meal plans may be suggested to you, and you can also ask for assistance with cooking if this is something that cannot be done independently.
Medical Support
Reports suggest that over half the facilities in the United States always have nurses on duty to ensure that medical support is always readily available, no matter what hour it is. This is particularly reassuring to any individuals who have health complications or require day-to-day care, as it is certain that there is always someone there that can help you and attend to your needs.
Socializing
Many elderly people who live alone, who are either widowed or single, usually opt to become part of a wider community, where they can be surrounded and supported by similar people to form relationships and enhance their social life.
Socializing has a huge amount of health benefits and prevents cognitive malnourishment often associated with dementia. It is easy to become isolated and withdrawn when you are not part of a wider community, as it is not often you will engage in meaningful conversation with strangers outside your home, in the grocery store, or at the bus stop, for example, in the same way, you will in a residential facility.
Privacy
One of the things you will not have to worry about in a residential facility is having your privacy compromised.
As much as it is important you are given the correct care and support you need, whether that is day to day or once a week at a scheduled appointment, having your own time to yourself is still highly appreciated.
Safety
Residential facilities are designed with your safety in mind, so you do not have to worry. There are no steep stairs for you to climb up and down to gain access to certain facilities or rooms, and outdoor surfaces will not be slippery mud or stones.
Your safety will never be compromised in a residential facility; rest assured.
Family Visits
Despite the excitement that stems from moving into a senior community, the facilities can often be several hours away from your loved ones, which can be upsetting for many residents who are used to being cared for by their loved ones. However, it is important that you feel at home as much as possible, which is why family visits are always welcomed on a regular basis.
Family visits are also beneficial for staff as well as residents, as it is important for family members to engage with staff to learn about how their loved one is doing in the facility and receiving feedback on what progress you have made.
The more informed you are on what to expect from a senior living facility, the easier it will be to adapt to a new lifestyle and environment.
