There are a lot of misconceptions about assisted living care. People immediately think that the cost is astronomical and that finding the right help can be extremely difficult. Both of these are untrue because assisted living can actually be quite affordable compared to a nursing home and with the growing number of assisted living care providers, finding one that fits your needs and your budget can be easier than you think. Choosing an aide can be one of the best things you do for yourself. You know what you are comfortable with so if you like kind, compassionate people, then hire a helper who has both of those qualities. If you prefer someone who is professional and straight-to-the-point, then you should hire someone who provides less bedside manner and a more professional attitude. Whatever makes you happier and more comfortable should be the decision you make.
The older we get, the more difficult everyday tasks seem to become. A bad back can make showering painful and difficult. A forgetful mind can make remembering to take your daily medications frustrating and confusing. Stiff joints or painful arthritis can make preparing meals and cleaning up the kitchen afterwards a long and laborious task. When you have assistance in your home, these pesky tasks become simple again because a trained person will be doing them for you. Don’t be afraid to direct your helper in ways that make your life easier. There will be a learning period where the aide will get to know your preferences and dislikes. If he or she is doing something, such as a dressing you in a gruff manner or preparing meals that you don’t care for, make sure you speak up and let them know, in a kind way, how they can improve. They are supposed to be there to improve your life, not make it more difficult.
In addition to the convenience, most elderly people prefer to stay in their own home with assistance instead of moving to a nursing home which can feel impersonal and cold. This provides them more freedom and a higher level of comfort. Also, assisted living can be a much more affordable option. Let’s highlight some more of the benefits of assisted living.
Aids in Personal Maintenance
One of the main benefits of having assisted living care is that your caretaker will be able to help you with all your personal needs such as showering, washing your hair and face, going to the bathroom, brushing your teeth and even styling your hair. There is nothing worse than feeling helpless when it comes to necessary tasks and your caregiver is there to help you eliminate those fears. Just because you are getting older, doesn’t mean that you don’t care about your appearance. Choosing a stylish outfit, picking out matching accessories and styling your hair every morning might make you feel young again and your care provider is there to help make that happen.
[/nextpage] [nextpage title=”Next” ]Help Out With Daily Chores
Whichever type of home you live in – whether it be an actual house, apartment or condo, all require daily chores to maintain the upkeep. Simple tasks like taking out the garbage, doing the dishes and dusting might not have been a problem in your younger years, but as a senior, they might be becoming increasingly difficult. Also, if your home has a staircase, going up and down all day might exhaust you. Your caregiver can easily perform these tasks every day so you don’t have to worry about them anymore.
[/nextpage] [nextpage title=”Next” ]Provides Assistance With Cooking
Even the most avid home cook gets tired of choosing, preparing and cleaning up breakfast, lunch and dinner at some point. When we are elderly, even preparing a sandwich can become a laborious task. Some of the items needed to make that sandwich might be in hard-to-reach places or your shaky hands might make using a knife dangerous. Luckily, with assisted living, your caregiver can prepare your meals for you and clean up after you are finished. You can start enjoying your food again without having to worry about the preparation or clean up.
[/nextpage] [nextpage title=”Next” ]Administer The Right Medication
It is an unfortunate fact that most seniors are on multiple medications that they are required to take on a daily basis. These can be anything from mild pain relievers to assist with headaches or life-saving medications such as blood thinners or heart-related medications. Either way, if you are prescribed something by a doctor, it is important that you take what you are supposed to at the correct time. Your caregiver will always make sure that they administer the proper amount of medication and at the right time of the day. You no longer have to worry about missing medications and suffering the consequences later on.
[/nextpage] [nextpage title=”Next” ]Providing Companionship
Because most seniors who have lost a spouse or partner suffer from loneliness, assisted living caregivers can provide that human contact and companionship that you have been missing. To go from living with someone everyday to living by yourself is a drastic change that can be upsetting for many. You should never feel alone, especially in your later years. Having a brief conversation, watching a television show together or even just being in the same room as someone else can get rid of those feelings of loneliness. Your caregiver is more than happy to provide you with that daily companionship that you desire.
[/nextpage] [nextpage title=”Next” ]Can Adapt To Your Changing Needs
Assisted living caregivers are great at adapting. When you hire them, you might have partial mobility and enjoy the light assistance that they provide. But as the years go by, you might lose some of that mobility and suddenly require full-time care from them. This is something they are used to and can adapt to easily. You will already feel comfortable with them since they have worked for you previously, so the changes around your house will be minor. Your caregiver knows that your health and mood can change on a daily basis and they are ready to adapt and work with you.
[/nextpage] [nextpage title=”Next” ]More Comfortable Than a Nursing Home
Most elderly people would agree that if given the choice, they would never want to leave their home. This is where they feel most comfortable and at ease. Moving to a nursing home can be disruptive and upsetting to them. They are all of a sudden taken away from everything that they are used to. New sights, people and things might be too much for them to handle at the moment. That’s why at-home assisted living can be such an excellent choice. They will be receiving the care they need in the comfort of their own home.
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