When is it time for assisted living? This is often a difficult question to ask, and the answer is not always the same for each person. Many adults think of assisted living facilities as just nursing homes, and don’t feel that their health has declined enough to justify moving into one, but this mindset is not entirely accurate. There are currently over one million older adults residing in assisted living communities, who benefit from some routine daily assistance and 24-hour care, but do not have the need for skilled nursing or specialized medical treatments. Here are a few things to consider when it comes to assisted living, and how you can determine if it is time for you or a loved one to consider it as an option.
Not Just A Nursing Home
As we mentioned before, assisted living can be a terrific option for many older, active adults who do not need specialized nursing care. While there are many communities out there that do specialize in care for dementia, individuals struggling with kidney failure or other terminal illnesses, many assisted living communities are available for older adults who only need assistance with the day-to-day necessities such as nutrition, medication management, and getting dressed every day. Many times, residents are those who are simply unable to maintain their homes by themselves any longer and prefer the ease and comfort that comes with assisted living.
When Is It Time?
How do you know when it’s time to make the change to assisted living? The short answer is, when you realize that you can no longer take care of yourself in a healthy, safe, and efficient manner. Medication management is an important perk to consider. Even adults who are active and in relatively good health may be on some routine medication, and the CDC estimates that over 350,000 people are hospitalized each year due to the mismanagement of medication. Communities like Bay Vista Assisted Living offer 24-hour care, and this includes medication management to ensure you, or your loved one, are taking the accurate amount of medication at the right time every day, and alleviating the risk of any incidents in that area, entirely.
In the previous section we also mentioned nutrition as an added benefit for assisted living, and this is due to the fact that many seniors who struggle with transportation, or can no longer cook for themselves safely, will begin to make unhealthy compromises with their diet. A healthy diet is important for seniors, and assisted living can help ensure that you or your loved one will be able to get the daily nutrition they need without the hassle, or risks, that come with independent home care.
Bay Vista Assisted Living
Bay Vista Assisted Living is a 40-bed residence program located in beautiful Long Beach, NY. Here, we allow individuals to age in place and use on-site home care services to address their personal care needs. Bay Vista therapy services are not only among the best in the industry, but they also serve to nourish your independence, and help you maintain your quality of life while helping you keep your medical condition stable. If you are considering assisted living in Long Beach, NY, we invite you to come take a tour of our facility. Please visit our website and book your first visit today.
