What Are the Benefits of Independent and Assisted Living for Seniors?
Published on November 9, 2018
As people get older, they often find themselves re-evaluating their living situations. For some seniors, living alone isn’t as easy as it used to be, and they may require a little extra support when it comes to performing daily activities like grocery shopping, cooking, cleaning, and running errands. While many seniors choose to live with their adult children, others prefer assisted or independent living communities for seniors. Here’s what you need to know about each type of community to help you decide which is the best for you or your loved one.
What Is an Independent Living Community?
Living at home has plenty of benefits, but nothing compares to the comfort and sense of community when you live in an independent living community. These communities are designed with the active adult in mind; older adults who are able to care for themselves but who want freedom from the worries of home maintenance, repairs, and other responsibilities. There are different types of independent living communities such as apartments, maintenance-free villas, or small cottages.
Benefits of Independent Senior Living
Maintenance and Repairs
From shovelling snow to mowing the lawn or fixing the dishwasher, independent living communities provide Community Members with the luxury of having these responsibilities taken care of for them. Professionals will deal with maintenance and repairs, so Community Members can spend their time doing the things they love.
Assistance 24/7
While you or your loved one might not require healthcare services very often, it’s nice to know they are available on-site when you do need them. Independent living communities do offer that help when needed. If Community Members need any help or need to be in a supervised, safe environment, they will have the assistance they require. This feature of independent living communities also puts the minds of family and friends at ease.
Socialization and Entertainment
There are many activities at independent living communities for seniors to get involved in. Community Members can enjoy their hobbies and attain new ones, such as painting, gardening, yoga, or going to the latest event put on by the Community’s Lifestyles Team.
Privacy
Socialization is a huge benefit of independent living communities, but seniors also have the option to enjoy private living quarters or sharing with a friend. They can spend time enjoying activities on their own or stay in their suites to read a book and relax or visit with family.
All-Inclusive Rent
Another benefit of independent living communities is that these places have rent that includes everything they need. With one monthly bill, Community Members will enjoy three meals provided daily, weekly housekeeping, access to scheduled activities, shuttle bus outings, cable, utilities, and more. This makes life a lot less hectic and more manageable for Community Members.
What Is Assisted Living for Seniors?
Assisted living is geared towards seniors who may need a little extra help with daily tasks. Although they may need help, they also need to maintain their self-esteem confidence. These two aspects are balanced with assisted living. Assisted living communities help seniors with certain services, while leaving them to handle the things they can such as performing daily chores. Community Members may simply need reminders or help for taking medications, grooming or dressing.
Benefits of Assisted Living
Minimizes Hazards
Those who work at assisted living communities pay attention to the environment they maintain for seniors. As such, these communities will ensure the environment has as few hazards as possible for the older adults prone to falls or other accidents. They will also provide appliances like shower bars to grab onto, remote panic buttons, and many other items that increase the safety and comfort of the home.
Quick-Response Emergency Assistance
Even with precautions and safety improvements, accidents can happen. Access to trained healthcare personnel at all times can make all the difference between a small injury to a life-threatening event. Since assisted living communities are social and open, problems and warning signs can be noticed and addressed quickly to provide effective solutions. Fast responses mean a better chance of overcoming difficulties and resolving problems.
Adaptable
One of the signature benefits of assisted living communities is the availability of adaptable solutions for each individual. For example, an elderly person with mobility restrictions needs a different kind of support than someone who has difficulty remembering details such as ingredients in a recipe or the last time they took their medication. To prevent Community Members from losing their sense of independence and privacy, assisted living communities makes it possible to provide all the necessary support needed for each individual.
Find the Right Place for You or Your Loved One at V!VA Retirement Communities
While there are many options to choose from when searching for a retirement living situation for you or your loved one, V!VA Retirement Communities is a compelling choice. Our Team Members strive to provide community living that goes above and beyond your expectations. We provide more than a comfortable place to live; we provide our Community Members with a safe, trustworthy environment where they can build friendships and enjoy a social, vibrant and active lifestyle.
As one of the few strong and successful privately-owned and independent developers in the senior living field, V!VA Retirement Communities provides exceptional services to its Community Members, including dining by Red Seal chefs, fitness and recreation programs and amenities, and much more. Our goal is to provide our Community Members with a relaxed, comfortable, and personal environment.
Our retirement living options include independent living, assisted living, and respite care for seniors. We have six operating locations, including Barrhaven, Mississauga, Pickering, Thornhill Woods, Meadowlands in Ancaster, and Waterside in Carleton Place, and independent living communities in Oakville and Whitby in construction.
To learn more about independent or assisted living in the GTA and Ottawa, and to find out if V!VA Retirement Communities is right for you or your loved one, visit our website, e-mail us at info@vivalife.ca, or call us at 1-888-984-8482.
