At least 17.7 million Americans act as caregivers for elderly loved ones. Unfortunately, this can put a huge strain on families that don't have the tools and resources to contend with the problems that come with mobility or cognitive issues. This can decrease the quality of life for all involved parties.
Luckily, there is a readily available solution for California families: senior living communities. Read on to learn some benefits of assisted living to keep in mind when considering senior care for older adults.
It's no secret that the physical environment someone lives in has a huge impact on their well-being. Quality assisted living communities provide beautiful apartments for residents.
At The Watermark, you can expect beautiful open spaces with windows that let in natural light. Each room has a comfortable bed, wall art, storage space, and aesthetically appealing carpeting. The warm and inviting color scheme promotes relaxation and mindfulness.
You can choose a studio, one-bedroom, or two-bedroom apartment. All have a bathroom, living area, kitchenette, and closet.
The rest of the community premises are also laid out in an appealing, easy-to-navigate fashion.
Plus, senior care communities are specifically designed for those with mobility issues. Wide hallways and doorways make it easy for people with wheelchairs or walkers to navigate the building, and railings and grip bars keep residents safe so they can remain happy and healthy.
Accessibility is a core feature of any assisted living community. It's important in many ways, and the building's easy-to-navigate layout is just one piece of the puzzle.
Older adults in a senior community can expect assistance with as many daily tasks as they need help with. Some people only require cooking, cleaning, and housekeeping. Nutritious meals are provided in the best care plans, so they won't need to worry about remembering to eat.
Others may need assistance with more day-to-day tasks. Bathing, dressing, and using the bathroom can be challenging for those with mobility issues, and compassionate care professionals can help.
Many seniors cannot safely drive, so senior care communities also offer transportation services. Those who want to run errands or participate in outings can use community vehicles whenever they wish.
Medication management is another core way that assisted living benefits seniors. Those with cognitive and memory issues often struggle to remember to refill prescriptions or take medication. They may even take their medication multiple times and overdose.
This is a stressful prospect, but care plans address this problem by helping seniors manage their medications. Experts ensure that residents take what they need when they need it, that the appropriate dose is available, and that no one accidentally overdoses on prescriptions.
The exact assistance that your loved one will receive depends on what they precisely require. One of the biggest benefits of assisted living is access to personally tailored care plans.
Caring experts will sit down with seniors and their families to determine what kinds of help they need. Together, we will go over what we offer and what services we believe can best help your loved one.
This lets all involved parties create a plan of action when providing care to residents.
No care plan is one-size-fits-all, and having the ability to evaluate and tailor to specific needs ensures that everyone in the community gets ample support. This lets them focus on being active and present at events and in social settings.
A good senior care community offers a wide range of activities for residents. Some great calendar events include:
This is just the tip of the iceberg - there are limitless possibilities!
The best California assisted living communities also offer libraries. Reading is a fun and entertaining way for seniors to relax and pass the time. It also boosts cognitive function and keeps their minds sharp.
Because seniors often feel lonely and isolated, senior care communities actively offer social opportunities for older adults. Community meals are a chance to socialize daily. Residents are also welcome to socialize in both indoor and outdoor common areas.
Group activities like game nights also provide great social opportunities. Making and engaging with new friends creates a sense of belonging and decreases feelings of loneliness.
Over a quarter of American seniors 65+ suffer falls each year. This can be detrimental to their health because of the impacts of long-term injury. When strength and mobility decrease after a fall, it's hard for seniors to get that back.
This can keep loved ones anxious and on their toes when they're the ones on call to help. An assisted living community with good accessibility features can decrease your stress and promote peace of mind. You'll know that your loved one is in a community that's made for them and that they'll be surrounded by people who can immediately call an ambulance.
Assisted living communities also have senior-friendly safety and security features. One-floor layouts and wide doors make evacuation easier in the event of a fire or natural disaster. Emergency alert systems are also loud enough for seniors to hear, even if they're hard of hearing.
This means that you don't need to worry about whether your loved one is safe from potential disasters. You'll know they're somewhere that's made for them with ready access to on-call staff.
Now that you know the core benefits of assisted living for older adults, it's time to begin selecting a compassionate senior care community. The Watermark at San Ramon is committed to offering empathetic assistance with daily tasks while fostering a sense of belonging for residents.
Our communities come with state-of-the-art amenities and personalized care plans. Schedule a visit today and ask any remaining questions you have about how we can help your loved one.