January 3, 2019 - Peregrine Perspective
What is Assisted Living, and Is it Right for My Loved One?
When it comes time to start looking into assistance with everyday care of your loved one, the options can seem overwhelming. You know you need help and you’re concerned you aren’t giving your loved one the attention they need, but you also have no idea where to start looking for help.
The terminology around assisted living can be a major barrier when you start to explore options for your loved one. Before you research all the different choices available, it might make sense to first familiarize yourself with the terms associated with assisted living care.
What Does Assisted Living Provide for Seniors?
In the most basic sense, assisted living communities provide your aging loved one with personalized care in a residential, home-like atmosphere. Typically, a senior is put through a simple health assessment to determine that their level of personal care meets certain state regulations. In most assisted living communities, there is a major emphasis on providing residents with a certain level of independence and freedom.
On the other hand, a nursing home provides state-licensed medical care 24/7 for seniors based on level of need, but with much less freedom and independence for residents.
Assisted Living Terminology
Now that you have a very basic understanding of what assisted living communities provide, it’s important to understand some other aspects of this type of senior living.
Some important terms to familiarize yourself with include:
- Activities of daily living – These are simple tasks we take for granted on a daily basis, such as brushing your teeth, getting dressed and eating.
- Aging in place – The idea of offering your aging loved one the opportunity to live in one home-like residence for as long as possible.
- Assisted living activities – This term refers to the wide range of life-enriching activities typically found at an assisted living community.
- CCRC – An acronym for continuing care retirement communities, these are specific types of life care communities that offer a range of senior living options all in one place.
- Dementia – A disease that causes a progressive loss of mental ability that specifically affects memory, judgment and cognitive skills.
- Memory care community – A senior living community that provides unique, specialized care to individuals suffering from Alzheimer’s or dementia.
Exploring Options for Assisted Living
One of the most important things you can do when you begin your research on assisted living communities nearby is to visit them in person. You and your loved one need to get a real feel for the type of care, friendship, activities and atmosphere offered. You will be surprised by how much easier the process becomes when you take a hands-on approach to exploring assisted living.
Peregrine Senior Living provides an enriching aging experience for our residents. The life-affirming culture at Peregrine is the main benefit that sets us apart from other nearby memory care communities in the area. We encourage continued growth, exploration and learning. That’s the Peregrine Way®, and you will only find it here at our assisted living community.
