Several weeks ago, a dear family friend of mine suffered a devastating stroke. For a few days, his family members didn’t know if he would survive this event. Thankfully, he did. Now, he is undergoing the slow recovery process in a nursing home. Since his stroke, his family has been amazing. They visit him daily at the nursing facility. They have even decorated his room in an effort to make him feel like he is at home. If your loved one has recently been admitted to a nursing home, don’t despair. You may be able to help your loved one adjust to this living situation better by being supportive. On this blog, you will discover the ways to make your loved one’s transition to a nursing home easier.
A Home Away from Home
Assisted Living Facilities: 2 Ways They Can Benefit Active Seniors
Johnny Rodriguez
Many people hold the misconception that assisted living facilities are only for seniors who have serious health problems and are relatively inactive. This keeps many seniors (and their adult children) from looking into these facilities until they feel they have lost the ability to care for themselves. While a senior with many medical problems can definitely benefit from the around-the-clock extra care of these facilities, relatively healthy seniors can enjoy living in these facilities and find them welcome retreats during their golden years. Here are two ways assisted living can make the lives of active seniors even more enjoyable.
1. They Won't Have to Work as Hard to Make and Keep Relationships with Other Seniors
While the senior population is growing, seniors in the US will still make up less than 20 percent of the population by the year 2030. This makes it difficult for active seniors to make new friends, as they are and still will be in a minority age group for many more years. Also, many of this senior population is relatively inactive. As a result, active seniors who love to socialize often find themselves doing most of the "work" it takes to build a relationship with a new senior friend. For example, if they have an inactive senior friend, then they must drive to and from the friend's house and plan the activities they will enjoy together.
When an active senior moves into an assisted living facility, they may find they are surrounded by many more active seniors who they can enjoy their favorite activities with. They will also not have to perform all the work to form and keep relationships with inactive seniors they choose to befriend, as they can simply walk next door or socialize with them at group activities.
2. Even Active Seniors Need a Break from Chores and Home Maintenance
Keeping a home and performing chores in and around the house are difficult activities even for many adults. Just because a senior is healthy enough to perform home maintenance, cook their own meals, and do their own laundry doesn't mean that they don't deserve a break form this work after performing all these tasks for so many years.
Home upkeep is also something that takes a toll on the body, and different tasks and chores around the yard can result in injury. Even if active and relatively healthy, seniors don't heal as easily and quickly as younger people do if they injure themselves, such as straining their muscles when shoveling snow.
After moving into a senior living facilities, there can be no worry of injury from performing home upkeep tasks. Also, seniors can choose when they want to cook their meals and do their own laundry and when they would prefer staff to do it for them. After a long life filled with chores, seniors deserve a break during their golden years!
There are many other advantages to moving into a senior assisted living facility, even for a relatively active and healthy senior. The golden years should be enjoyed, and many seniors enjoy these years more when they live among other seniors and have help whenever they need it.
Share