Differences Between Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care
Before beginning the move into senior living, spend some time observing the current living situation of yourself or your loved one. What tasks are a struggle? What help has been required over the past year? Are there any medical conditions or physical impairments that affect the current lifestyle? If you are choosing for your parents, include your siblings in this review.
After you achieve some clarity on your current situation, have an open discussion with your spouse, parent, or loved one to list the amenities most needed in a new home. Be sensitive to concerns about losing independence. This is a process that takes patience so that everyone's needs can be taken into consideration. Once you agree on what will be needed, see which option below is the best fit. Then spend time visiting a variety of communities to find the one where you or your loved one feels most comfortable.
Independent Living
Independent living is ideal for individuals who can live easily and safely without outside help, but are ready for a maintenance-free lifestyle in a community full of exciting amenities and social interactions.
Independent living communities provide delicious and nutritious meals for their residents, encourage appropriate physical activity, organize a variety of social events, and offer seniors transportation to and from appointments or errands if needed.
Independent living can provide seniors with life-enriching programs to develop or explore skills and talents. Residents can easily enjoy a day out for shopping, dining, cultural, and sporting events. They have all the freedom of life in their home but with fewer chores and numerous options to interact with others.
Assisted Living
Assisted living is ideal for seniors who greatly value their independence but need some help with daily tasks - such as bathing, grooming, and eating - in a secure environment.
A person-centered care plan is most often developed with each family to ensure that residents are comfortable and enjoy a fulfilling lifestyle. There is likely to be a nurse on staff and medical personnel accessible 24 hours a day.
Seniors benefit from having newfound friends nearby, having their meals prepared for them, and being able to conveniently engage in a variety of social activities. Emergency call systems and medication management, as well as housekeeping, laundry, and apartment maintenance assistance helps assisted living residents maintain a higher quality of life.
Memory Care
Memory care living arrangements help individuals who are living with memory loss that impacts their ability to function independently, including Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia.
Staff members are trained in dementia care and knowledgeable about the specific needs of residents, such as how to help calm their fears regarding memory decline and provide stimulating activities to preserve abilities as long as possible.
A good quality memory care community will provide residents with a secure, stimulating environment that includes multisensory experiences and engaging social activities.
Contact Waltonwood for More Information
Every individual and every family is different. What is ideal for one person might not be best for another. For more information about independent living, assisted living, and memory care options available through Waltonwood and how they apply to your specific circumstances, contact one of our Waltonwood representatives.
Waltonwood can help you choose your next living option with abundant knowledge so that you can find the perfect lifestyle fit.