Maintaining a Good Quality of Life in Assisted Living

One of the misconceptions about making the transition into assisted living is that an individual’s quality of life will diminish. It is understandable that many people will see the move as the end of a way of living. But it should, perhaps, be regarded as the beginning of a new chapter that comes with its own opportunities.

It should be said that making the move to assisted living doesn’t mean a completely different way of life. If you enjoy online betting in Texas, you will still have access to be able to do that. If your hobbies and pastimes include music or art, you can still spend your days the way you want to. You will just get some help with some of the other aspects.

Obviously, the decision to move into assisted living is a major one – and one that can be very emotional for all family members. But we wanted to point out a few ways that an individual’s quality of life can be maintained – and even improved – by making the move.

Understand What Assisted Living Means

Before you actually make the decision to move into assisted living – or make the decision for a loved one – you should make sure that you fully understand what this means. This is not just a case of moving into a care home. This is getting some help to make everybody’s lives better and more productive.

Every individual is different, so assisted living can mean different things for different people. It is the chance to keep some independence while getting the help needed with eating, medical management, or even mobility. The assistance is there for what is needed – the rest is down to the individual.

Personalize Your Living Space

Choosing which assisted living facility to move to can be one of the biggest decisions anyone can make. We advise you to get all the recommendations and information you can and make sure that you visit a number of places to find the new home that is perfect for you or your loved one.

Once you have found a suitable assisted living facility, you can set about making it home. Personal touches can make a new living space feel like home straight away. So cherished mementoes and photographs are ideal for turning a simple room into somewhere the individual is going to live and maintain a good quality of life.

Eating Well

Assisted living facilities are very often required because an individual is not able to look after themselves as well as they used to when it comes to feeding. Family members can be secure in the knowledge that their loved one is receiving a balanced diet that is healthy and appropriate.

Nutrition is vitally important to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, so all these facilities will ensure that their guests will be getting the right kinds of things to eat and drink. Nothing is ever going to be forced on guests but a healthy diet – and plenty of hydration – are always going to be key to what is being offered.

Stay Physically Active

Stereotypical portrayals of care homes in TV shows and movies will show older people just sitting around all day and doing nothing. Although many people who come to assisted living facilities will need extra rest and respite from overdoing things, staying physically active is encouraged.

Maintaining mobility and flexibility is crucial as we get older and assisted living facilities are able to figure out what is needed on an individual basis. Regular exercise can be found in a variety of activities and there is sure to be something offered that an individual enjoys.

Look After Body and Mind

Keeping as fit and healthy is an obvious requirement when it comes to maintaining a good quality of life. But keeping the mind sharp is just as important. Challenging the mind and exercising the brain, like you would any other muscle, is a surefire way of staving off cognitive decline.

There are usually a whole host of classes available for guests to stay sharp and potentially learn entirely new skills. Mental well-being is so important for older residents, so learning relaxation and mindfulness techniques can also be a good way of looking after the mind and body.

Regular Check-Ups

It is a fact of life that as we get older we need more help with medical issues. That can sometimes be the main reason why a person enters assisted living in the first place. The peace of mind for family members and loved ones that comes with knowing that all medical needs are being met cannot be underestimated.

But becoming an assisted living resident also means that all kinds of check-ups can be made on a regular basis too. So, that means dental, hearing, or vision appointments will never be forgotten or missed again. As with everything else, assisted living means helping to maintain a good quality of life.

The Best of Both Worlds

The dream of most people would probably be to see out their lives in familiar surroundings with their loved ones all around. But there may be reasons why that idyll is difficult to achieve. Moving into assisted living can help that remain a reality and provide much-needed peace of mind.

Assisted living is designed to provide the best of both worlds. Individuals get to keep doing what they like doing – as well as learn new skills – while receiving the help and attention they need, when needed. The quality of life should not diminish at all.