Senior Living, Sacramento; 7 Perks

If you are the caregiver for a senior loved one or a concerned family member, you may be feeling overwhelmed and stressed about their care. The good news is, you don’t have to go it alone! There are many cities in California offering high-end facilities for engaged senior living, Sacramento being one of the forerunners. In this article, we will discuss what a senior living facility is, how to choose the right one for your loved one, and the top 7 perks seniors experience after transitioning to an assisted living facility.

“Senior living” is an all-encompassing term for improving the quality of life for senior community members through lifestyle adjustments, assistance with Activities of Daily Life (ADLs), meal plans, social schedules and enrichment activities, and more. The umbrella term “senior living facility” can refer to nursing homes, assisted living facilities, retirement complexes, and more—but the universal theme is that it is an environment conducive to encouraging elders to flourish without worrying about little things like doing the dishes or changing their bedding.

The decision to talk with the elder in your life about transitioning to assisted living or caregiving facilities can be tough for some families. Some seniors are resistant to the idea and fear losing independence, the creature comforts of their home, or connections with their neighbors. In truth, transitioning to a Sacramento senior living facility is going to feel like a significant change for everyone—but in many ways, this can be a lifestyle improvement for the family, and more importantly, it is often in the best interest of the senior. However, not all senior living facilities are created equal.

When it comes to finding a good match for your loved one, there are many considerations to keep in mind. You will need to take a thorough, holistic look at your loved one’s needs—medical, physical, spiritual, emotional, and mental needs for total wellness—and align those qualities with a facility that works with your budget. You’ll want to consider other practical offerings each care center can provide your loved one too—from sanitation and security services, laundry and other amenities, enrichment activities, and more. For more on what to look for in an assisted living facility, check out our recent article on the topic!

For some, the idea of leaving their home—particularly if they own it—is a tough pill to swallow. However, if we can embrace this change as the beginning of a whole new chapter of life, we will see that there are many positive things to look forward to when transitioning to assisted care—and some downright luxuries that the average adult wouldn’t ever receive in the outside world either! Here are the top seven perks of living in an eldercare community:

1.     Personalized assistance with daily activities: As we age, it often becomes true that basic daily activities become more challenging for us—whether that’s taking a bath, tackling a few stairs, or even putting on our shoes in the morning. This happens to everyone who is blessed to live to their golden years and is nothing to be embarrassed about or frustrated by. Well-trained staff will keep your loved one comfortable by attending to their needs—ideally around the clock—so that they get the help they need when they need it.

2.     Security: Most assisted living facilities have at least some form of security—whether that is a gated entry, security cameras, locked doors, or some other combination. This ensures your loved one is in a safe environment—potentially even safer than they would have been at home, especially if they used to live on a busy road—and gives their families a little extra peace of mind.

3.     Attentive staff—particularly in nursing homes: Say your loved one has medical needs ranging in severity from arthritis to a cardiac condition. The staff at an assisted living facility will check in with your loved one daily—ideally multiple times a day—to ensure they are taking their medication, monitoring their blood sugar, getting their steps in for the day, and more. Skilled nursing homes are also able to assist with more complex medical procedures for seniors whose needs are a little bit more pronounced.

4.     Enrichment activities: Ever wondered what it would be like to make a hand-cut ravioli, or paint a meadow scene? The best senior living facilities offer enrichment activities offering seniors opportunities to gather and socialize while stretching and trying new things as well. Just because you’ve reached senior status doesn’t mean you’ve done or seen it all!

5.     Free time to do whatever you wish: Maybe you have a 10-page must-read booklist that you’ve never had time to get to, or perhaps you’ve always wanted to take up coin collecting. Now is the time for seniors to do exactly what they want—they’ve earned it! More free time means you can look for connections, go for walks, take up hobbies, or pursue creative passions!

6.     No need to worry about grocery shopping, cleaning, or other boring chores: All these amenities are included—and most assisted living facilities worth their salt offer nourishing meal plans with healthy and satiating snacks in between mealtimes. This means seniors can focus less on the logistics of living and more on being happy.

7.     Community and social connections: Where would a senior be more likely to make new connections and friendships than in a group of their peers? This can help provide meaning, purpose, and even spiritual growth in later years—not to mention it might provide some laughs and spark some joy!

Even though some people immediately feel resistance at the idea of transitioning to a facility for senior living, Sacramento and the surrounding area are home to some of the best senior care homes in the state. The process of narrowing down your options can seem overwhelming at a first glance—even just looking at the simple aspect of budgeting alone! However, if you work with an agency like Passionate Senior Placement, we can help remove the stress of this big moment off the family’s shoulders, providing guidance, information, paperwork and insurance counsel, and even advocacy on the part of our clients.

Want to know what we can do for the senior loved one in your life? Call us today for a free consultation!