Senior Living: Helpful Information-choosing a Independent Living Facility (guest blog)
Making the decision to move into an independent living facility for you
or your loved ones can easily be an overwhelming or daunting task. There are a
wide range of facilities with a diverse range of services, so it is not always
easy to find exactly what you need. Plus, the admissions staff of many
independent living or nursing facilities are frequently overburdened and may
not have as much time to meet with you and answer all your questions like you
would hope. It helps to be prepared and learn as much as you can before you
schedule a meeting with a few different nursing homes or independent living
facilities. This will allow you to make the most of your brief meeting with the
facility.
Learning the Difference Between Types of Facilities
There are a wide range of services provided in different types of
facilities for the elderly, and it may be difficult to tell what type of
facility your loved ones really need. Independent care facilities are the least
restrictive option, offering as much freedom as possible while still providing
the standard of care necessary to help maintain the health and safety of the
resident. As the name suggests, the resident can remain largely independent,
though they may eventually need help from a nurse or attendant with some basic
tasks.
Assisted living facilities are the next step up. They are ideal for
residents who do not require constant supervision but need a great deal of help
with daily tasks and personal care. Skilled nursing facilities are what people
most commonly refer to as nursing homes, and they provide a more advanced range
of services. A skilled nursing facility is necessary for anyone who needs
constant supervision and care, like someone suffering from an advanced form of dementia.
Consider Your Loved Ones Needs, But Don't Ignore Their Opinions
The type of facility appropriate for your loved one should be able to provide
the standard of care that they need now, as well as the standard of care anticipated
in the next several months or years. Many of the elderly are reluctant to admit
that they need help, but you should still consider your loved one's wishes when
you are choosing a home or facility. They may not be able to live completely on
their own anymore, but that does not mean that they are completely incompetent.
In most cases, your loved one can and should have a say in the type of home or
facility they are going to. Make sure the range of services and cost of the
facility meets their needs, and then get their advice to choose a facility with
the amenities they want.
Making the Transition Smoothly
Going to an independent living facility does not have to be a major
change whatsoever. Residents of independent living homes will typically enjoy many
convenient amenities while still living in their own space. Some communities
are limited to providing non-medical services, offering only amenities such as
lawn care, maintenance, and social or community events. This type of
independent living community hardly seems like a facility at all. In fact, they
often seem like a vacation resort, due to the maintenance-free lifestyle.
However, you may want to look for an independent living facility that
offers more types of services, so the facility will be able to meet your loved
one's needs if their condition worsens. In this case, it is best to choose an
independent living community within an assisted living facility. This will
ensure that your family member can get the medical and care services that they
need if they start to struggle with basic daily tasks. Either way, an
independent living or assisted living community can be a great solution for a
loved one who is no longer safe living on their own, but not yet ready to be a
resident of a nursing home.
Valerie Johnston is a health and
fitness writer located in East Texas. With ambitions of one day running a
marathon, writing for Healthline.com ensures she keeps up-to-date on all of the
latest health and fitness news.
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