Did you know that people who live in retirement homes are happier and healthier than older people who don’t? With accessibility to new freedoms, mental and physical stimulation, and a strong community, it comes as no surprise.
Do you find yourself lonely, lacking social connection and stimulation? Or perhaps you’re concerned about a loved one’s health and wellbeing. It can be intimidating to choose to make the move, but if your happiness or your loved one’s health is at stake, it may be time to start considering an assisted living community.
To help you make the decision, check out these 7 amazing benefits.
1. Provides Safety and Security
A simple fall can be disastrous for a senior person and the likelihood of this happening increases year after year for persons over 65. One of the top retirement home benefits is that you or your loved one’s safety is a top priority and the risk of falls and injury is greatly reduced.
These homes are designed for accessibility and mobility, reducing the likelihood of falls. Features such as walk-in showers, raised toilets, and hallways hand railings help to support seniors. And there is always someone on hand to help in the case that something does occur.
These communities are prepared for emergencies. These include fires or natural disasters and on-call staff is there to deal with medical emergencies.
Check out Supporting Seniors if you’re looking for an assisted living facility near you.
2. Reduces Risk of Stress and Depression
Unfortunately, a lot of elderly people find themselves spending much of their time alone. Loneliness may lead to depression, high blood pressure, and early mortality.
On the other hand, performing daily tasks such as cooking and cleaning can be stressful for seniors who have limited mobility or struggle with forgetfulness.
Living at a retirement home ensures a maintenance-free lifestyle that takes away the main stressors. It also provides a network of friends, social connections, and empathetic caregivers that ease feelings of loneliness.
Remedying loneliness and causes of stress ensure the best health and wellbeing for you or your loved one.
3. Joining a Strong Community
An assisted living community is just that — a community. This comes with all the benefits of living in a strong community. This transcends beyond social connections and activities to a feeling of belonging and safety and security, too.
When a person feels as if they are an intrinsic part of a community, they are more likely to take part in activities, socialize and get involved. It’s an important reminder that the individual is not alone and gives them a sense of responsibility to their community, too.
These are all important factors in leading a healthy and happy life.
4. Ensures Excellent Nutrition and Health
Proper nutrition and a healthy lifestyle become more and more important as we age. Nutritional needs change and sometimes there are specific metrics or nutritional requirements. Alongside this need, tasks such as grocery shopping and cooking become more of a challenge for elderly people.
At an assisted living facility you can rest easy knowing that you or your loved one will receive nutritious meals based on their health needs. Meal services often include meal plans provided by an expert nutritionist and balanced, healthy meals.
There is also a focus on improved fitness. Many facilities have plenty of space to walk and exercise as well as modern equipment to facilitate physical exercise. Active seniors tend to better preserve their memory, energy, balance, and strength. At an assisted living facility, regular exercise is possible, encouraged, and safe.
5. Provides Freedom
Many retirement homes provide safe and accessible transport available to seniors. This means that capable residents can go shopping, visit friends, head to the cinema, or eat out at a restaurant. Many of these excursions may not be available to them while living at home without transport.
The living communities also provide a host of common activities such as dancing lessons, cooking classes, field trips, and game nights. So individuals will have the freedom to pick and choose hobbies and events that are interesting to them.
Essentially, these homes provide more freedom by offering transport, activity options, and independent activities while staying safe.
6. Mental Stimulation
Intellectual stimulation is vital to combat cognitive decline as well as anxiety and depression. Seniors may find that they are bored or lack mental stimulation when living at home. They may read books or do crosswords, but generally don’t have access to more advanced mentally stimulating activities.
Assisted living communities focus on providing a host of fun and interesting activities to help keep seniors mentally active and engaged. This ranges from providing brain games and brain training resources, to computer rooms and workshops. The facilities use modern technology and resources to create intellectually stimulating environments.
You or your loved one will have access to activities that are not only interesting but also help to keep your mind active.
7. Peace of Mind for Relatives and Loved Ones
It can be emotionally and physically taxing on loved ones tasked with the responsibility of caring for elderly relatives. Many people don’t have the resources or expertise to do so properly. This leads to added stress and concern and unnecessary strain.
Assisted living provides invaluable benefits for the senior resident. But also gives much-needed peace of mind for family and friends. To know that your loved one is taken care of, safe, and happy is priceless.
Choosing Assisted Living for a Healthier, Happier Life
These 7 benefits of assisted living outline the complex and thorough care and opportunities available for senior residents. The value of living in a strong community with social connections, keeping physically and mentally active, and having freedom and safety is priceless. Peace of mind for family and friends is the cherry-on-top, preserving relationships and reducing loved one’s stress.
If you found this article informative, keep exploring our site for more interesting health and lifestyle posts.