Do you have a family member who is struggling more and more with the after effects of growing older? Are you struggling to find a living situation for them that will ensure their continued health and happiness? Assisted living facilities act much like an adult day care, providing elderly people with the independence they need to function in the day-to-day. Alzheimer’s and dementia are an unfortunate reality of age and, as such, are requirements for nurses and staff who work in assisted living homes. With on-site facilities and around-the-clock care, eldercare services are an increasing necessity for a population that continues to get older and need the assistance of their community. Let’s take a look at assisted living and what local nursing homes can offer.
How Is The Elderly Population?
Technology and a fluctuating economy has seen many changes in the modern population. One of those is life expectancy, with a significant portion of the American population now aging. Multiple estimates have seen people over the age of 65 reaching nearly 45 million, or 15% of the population, as of recent years. This number only continues to grow and will exceed 100 million in just a matter of decades, meaning change is imperative if we are to properly accommodate our elderly. Thanks to assisted living homes, opportunity and independence are an easily accessible resource that can provide your loved one with both the care and social life they need.
What Are Assisted Living Homes?
Think of it like an adult day care, where those struggling with age, dementia or physical disabilities can be attended to with 24/7 care by trained nurses and staff. While this decision is often a difficult one for families, it frees up the person in question to live their life without worry of injury or illness due to age. Nearly seven out of 10 senior Americans are in need of long-term care and, according to recent estimates, that number may grow even higher as years go on. People who reach the age of 65 will live, on average, another 18 years compared to the average of four years back in 1960.
What Are Eldercare Facilities?
Throw aside the stereotypical gloom of the bleak and boring senior care services center. Nursing homes are communities first and foremost, staffed by healthcare professionals and filled to the brim with on-site activities and social events. Some have gyms and yoga centers to encourage physical wellness, while others may have art and literature classes to stimulate the mind. For those suffering from additional illness or physical disabilities, additional care is provided to make sure they are as healthy and comfortable as possible. No two assisted living communities are the same, however, and each one has its own specialties and charms.
Which One Is The Right Choice?
There’s no such thing as the ideal nursing home, as every individual has unique needs and tastes that need to be taken into consideration. However, take comfort in that you have a lot to choose from. Surveys have shown the vast majority of independent living residents, at 90%, rating a positive satisfaction with their community. Another 85% would recommend their community to those in similar positions. An adult day care is not unlike one for kids, actively and consistently accommodating a unique portion of the population to encourage a happy and fulfilling life. Affordable senior housing isn’t a death sentence, but rather, a transition into the next stage of their life.
