How Assisted Living Provides Support While Preserving Independence

Assisted living is for those senior adults who need some additional help with daily tasks, personal care services, and perhaps some medication management in a secure environment that still provides a high degree of independence.

The support assisted living provides reduces the stress, safety concerns, and a number of chores of living in a home, which means seniors are able to do what they like to do.

The Benefits of Assisted Living

Peace of mind. Seniors living on their own can result in a lot of worrisome questions: Are they eating healthy food? Taking medications correctly? Is Dad climbing a ladder again to fix the gutter? Is Mom still climbing the basement steps with a load of laundry?

At Bethesda’s assisted living communities, nursing, care staff, and security are available 24/7. Services include medication management, activities, well-balanced meals, and laundry services.

Independence. Though the COVID-19 pandemic currently requires adherence to safety precautions to minimize exposure to the virus for residents and staff, assisted living is normally an open experience. It includes social activities, fine dining, fitness activities, celebrations, and outings.

Community. The concept of “independence” in assisted living refers to having choices within the community.

Bethesda is finding creative ways to keep residents engaged. During the pandemic, this includes using Skype and Facetime to communicate with family members. Residents are being taught new computer skills, and have enjoyed outdoor, socially distanced performances and one-to-one activities with staff. The goal is to keep residents physically and mentally engaged in the community, which helps them stay independent for a longer period of time.

Continuum of Care. A key component to look for in association with an assisted living program includes the capacity of the organization to provide more comprehensive levels of care as physical and cognitive health challenges may arise for seniors. This means the senior and his or her family do not have to go through a traumatic shift to another senior care organization when needs change.

For example, in addition to assisted living, Bethesda offers skilled nursing and memory support care, and its communities are located throughout the St. Louis area.

When Is It Time?

There is often much uncertainty about when it’s time to make the move to assisted living, particularly for seniors who are reaching the point of needing more assistance than can be provided in the home.

The signs that assisted living should be considered include:

• Worsening chronic illnesses
• Incorrectly taking medications
• Increased home accidents
• Mobility issues
• Difficulty with managing finances
• Inability to maintain home, cook, clean, shop
• Poor food choices
• Hygiene problems
• Isolation/depression
• Beginning of cognitive issues
• Inability of family caregiver to continue with care

The danger in waiting too long to enter assisted living is that the increased disability caused by aging may make it impossible to qualify for assisted living. For example: the ability to physically evacuate the facility unaided in the event of an emergency is required in order to live in an assisted living community.

Of course, your senior loved one’s safety should be your first concern. Bethesda adheres to all Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services guidelines as pertains to COVID-19. You can find more information here.

Interested in learning more about our assisted living communities? Call one of our communities today to learn more.