When it becomes too difficult or dangerous for a senior to live alone, assisted living offers support without the burden of home maintenance. To select the right community, it’s essential to tour multiple facilities and compare notes.
Look for a facility that offers seniors a robust wellness program and social activities. These types of programs prevent isolation, loneliness, and depression.
Exercise
Assisted living communities provide seniors various wellness programs to maintain their physical fitness and activity levels. These programs include low-impact stretching, lightweight training, balance exercises, and group walks around the community. They also provide incentives for resident participation, such as a point system or public attendance recognition.
Walking around the building daily can help strengthen leg muscles and improve balance, reducing the risk of falling. A regular walking program can also stimulate the brain, causing feel-good chemicals to be released and elevating mood. It can also prevent social isolation, a common cause of mental health problems in senior Americans. Socialization is vital to maintaining positive mental health and preventing severe health conditions requiring a move to a nursing home.
Socialization
Many seniors struggle with loneliness as they age, especially if their family and friends live far away. Loneliness can lead to depression and a loss of self-esteem. It can also cause various health problems, including sleep disorders and weight fluctuations. Senior citizens must find ways to socialize and stay active, which are easy to do in an assisted living community.
Sarasota assisted living typically provides group exercise classes, outings, and other activities encouraging socialization. They may also offer group discussion groups, lectures, and book clubs to stimulate the brain. This intellectual stimulation can help prevent depression and even reduce the risk of some physical health problems, such as osteoporosis. Studies have shown that social connections can slow down the decline in cognitive function that can occur as people grow older. It can even improve episodic memory, which is remembering specific events in one’s life.
Medication Management
Medication management is a critical part of the treatment plan for many seniors who suffer from mental health conditions like depression or chronic diseases.
Elderly individuals often struggle to keep track of their multiple medications, especially if they live alone, have impaired vision or grip strength, and are taking three or more medication schedules daily. Medications can also have dangerous drug interactions, so they must be administered carefully. Fortunately, experienced healthcare providers can conduct an ongoing medication management evaluation to ensure the correct medications are taken on the proper schedule.
Nutrition
Getting enough nutrition is essential for maintaining good mental health. It’s also vital for reducing the risk of severe health complications.
Many seniors struggle to achieve a healthy diet. They may need access to fresh, nutritious food or the energy to grocery shop for themselves.
In assisted living communities, the care staff prepares nutritious meals based on each resident’s needs. They may even allow the senior to help in some elements of the meal preparation – something that many seniors find rewarding and enjoyable.
In addition to providing three nutritionally balanced meals a day, a well-rounded wellness program should include fitness classes, crafting workshops, and other social activities. This reduces loneliness and isolation, gives residents a sense of purpose, and can prevent depression and cognitive decline.
