Most of us will have no trouble asking for the odd favor from a friend or family member. But perhaps you’ve reached a point where those small favors become a daily can’t-live-without, and you realize you need more than a little bit of assistance; you need professional support.
That’s why seniors turn to assisted living. But what is assisted living? Read on as we explore what it means and whether it’s the right choice for you or your loved one.
What Is Assisted Living?
You can think of assisted living as a balance for seniors between care where it’s needed and independence where it’s not.
Assisted living provides senior residents in a community with personalized care. Those residents live in a private apartment set within a beautiful residential community.
Care might take the form of help with getting dressed, bathing, medication management, or other similar daily activities.
Aside from the care support, seniors live a fully independent life within the community. They can structure their day as they choose, whether meeting with friends for an exercise class or joining an arts and crafts workshop. Meanwhile, staff are always on hand to help, 24/7.
Is Assisted Living the Right Fit for You?
Assisted living can offer many benefits to some seniors. Here are some signs that it could be a good choice for you:
- You struggle with daily tasks like showering without help
- You’re at risk of a fall in your home because of mobility issues
- You live alone and sometimes feel isolated
- Home maintenance, like minor repairs, has become overwhelming
- You worry about living alone in case of an emergency
- You find it hard to get out of the house to activities you once enjoyed, like fitness classes
As you can see, assisted living is not the same as intense nursing care. It’s about making life easier and more comfortable for you while gaining access to a vibrant and friendly community.
Assisted Living: Key Services
Assisted living looks slightly different in each senior living community. However, here are the typical features you’ll discover in a high-quality destination like our senior living community in Oklahoma City:
Personal Care and Daily Living Assistance
At the heart of any assisted living community is personal care by professionally trained teams. When a new resident joins a community, the first step is often deciding what that tailored care should look like so that the resident has the exact support they need, no more or less.
Medication Management
If a resident has daily medication, the care team can oversee this. It helps monitor doses and prevent missed doses or double doses by mistake.
Community Dining
All residents will have access to a communal dining area with someone to plan, prepare, and serve nutritious meals. Our community’s menus are delicious and varied, and they’re tailored to individual dietary requirements.
Housekeeping
Assisted living gives you access to services to help with everyday demands, like housekeeping maintenance and laundry. It means residents can spend time relaxing or enjoying activities instead of worrying about small chores.
Social Activities
In much-loved retirement communities like ours, you’ll find a friendly, welcoming community and a generous selection of activities, like fitness, crafts, or group outings. There is something to everyone’s taste, and it’s a chance to socialize or enjoy a new hobby.
24/7 Support
Assisted living offers peace of mind. While everyday support needs might be low, there is always someone on hand 24/7 to be there in an emergency, like a fall or a medical concern. It’s a safe, caring environment.
Assisted Living in Oklahoma City: The Key to an Independent Lifestyle
Assisted living is often the best choice for those who want to maintain their independence. It’s about finding a balance of support that lets people keep control over their daily lives, set their schedules to suit them, and enjoy all that a community has to offer.
Comfortable private apartments mean residents can enjoy privacy and solitary time. Likewise, if a senior craves company, social activities are right there on their doorstep. This balance is the perfect way to achieve quality of life in your later years.
Other Types of Senior Housing Options
Assisted living is one type of senior care you might spot during your research. You may also see other elderly care services, including:
- Nursing care and nursing homes
- Memory care
- Independent living
- Home care
Nursing care is a more involved option for seniors who need support around the clock. Memory care, as the name implies, is specialist support for those with cognitive issues like dementia.
Independent living is similar to assisted living but without the daily support. It’s there for seniors who want to embrace community living. And finally, there is home care, which is having care support within a private residential home.
Choosing the right option for you or a loved one means assessing your ongoing support needs and desire for an active, community-based lifestyle. It’s also important to think about future care needs and whether they are likely to evolve, perhaps because of a progressive health condition.
How to Choose an Assisted Living Community
Finding the right community is vital. It should feel like home and have all the amenities you want to live the senior lifestyle that meets your needs.
Start by listing the things that are important to you in priority order. For example, maybe you love yoga, and a community yoga class might be something you add to your list.
Remember that quality of care is vital, so look for trained, experienced professionals and check if they offer 24/7 support so that you have help in an emergency. Always visit the community for a tour to assess things that are hard to check on paper, like cleanliness, spaciousness, or a friendly atmosphere.
Assisted Living for Seniors in Oklahoma City
So, what is assisted living? The answer is that it’s the perfect balance between help and independent living. Getting the daily support you need will help you thrive in your senior years.
At Morada Southridge, you’ll discover our wide range of activities and amenities designed to make your life easy, like our on-site hair salon and laundry service. Your dream retirement is waiting. Contact us and schedule a tour of our fantastic community in the heart of Oklahoma City.
