Common Misconceptions About Assisted Living Communities
Nationwide, assisted living communities support seniors who are unable to age in place. However, the fears associated with transitioning to an assisted care community can prohibit seniors from receiving the dedicated care and compassion they deserve. The following misconceptions and their realities can help seniors better understand how assisted living communities can align with their goals for aging on their own terms.
Family Caregivers Are Superior
The love and dedication family caregivers show their aging loved ones is unmatched. Yet, the duty of caring for a senior family member can strain relationships and introduce unnecessary friction. In some cases, the resulting conflict can permanently damage any bonds.
While family caregivers do their best to balance care with other responsibilities, assisted living communities provide dedicated, professional support tailored to seniors’ needs around the clock. Seniors and their families gain a new link in their support system to turn to for help. Compassionate and knowledgeable staff can also help direct seniors and their family members to relevant resources.
Assisted Care Communities Are Only For Those With Serious Health Issues
An assisted living community is not a replacement for an extended hospital stay but rather a haven for seniors who need help with their daily living activities. Seniors don’t have to be in chronic pain or have serious health issues to benefit from living in an assisted care community. Instead, custom care plans use the community’s resources to address a senior’s personal needs.
Assisted Living Takes Away Independence
Although assisted living communities emphasize community and socialization, their physical and logistical structures promote independence and respect individual privacy. Seniors are often granted a private room or suite from which they can freely go about their business. Assisted living communities may host mealtimes, events, and meetings, but seniors are not necessarily required to attend.
There’s Not Much To Do At Assisted Care Communities
Numerous social activities, community meetings, and year-round events benefit seniors living in assisted care communities. With each social interaction, seniors foster connections that improve their well-being. Although these gatherings can be intimidating for new residents, seniors often make friends and gain confidence the more they participate.
Assisted Living Communities Limit Visits from Friends and Family
Senior assisted living communities actively encourage regular visits from friends and family members. Many establish open visiting hours, enabling loved ones to visit at their convenience or when seniors need them most. In addition to visiting seniors in their private residences, families can also typically gather in a community room, cafe, or lounge area to converse and relax.
The Staff Are Inexperienced in Senior Care
Quality senior care is highly regarded in assisted living communities. Prospective staff members are carefully evaluated and meticulously selected to ensure their values align with those of the community and its mission. Candidates often go through thorough interviews to determine the best fit.
In addition to a strict selection process, many assisted care community managers provide their staff with ongoing training. This education ensures that staff are informed of any advancements in the industry that can help improve the lives of the seniors they assist. Many assisted living communities also emphasize open communication between family members, seniors, and staff members to facilitate a continuum of care.
Seniors Must Give Up Their Hobbies in Assisted Living Communities
Seniors may feel like they have to give up certain privileges or interests upon joining an assisted living community. On the contrary, assisted care communities can offer seniors the resources to explore their interests further or discover new hobbies they’ve never had a chance to experience. Change is certainly a part of the process, but many of those changes prove positive in fostering creativity and socialization among seniors with common interests.
All Assisted Living Communities Follow the Same Program
Joining an assisted care community doesn’t automatically predispose seniors to receive the same care plan as other residents. While seniors may have the same access to community resources and services as any other resident, their needs may be starkly different depending on various factors.
Explore an Assisted Living Community That Ensures Quality Senior Care at Ansel Park Assisted Living & Memory Care
Seniors can enhance their quality of life by exploring the benefits of assisted living communities like Ansel Park Assisted Living & Memory Care. In conjunction with family members and loved ones, our caring staff works to foster confidence and a sense of community among local seniors. Contact us to schedule a tour and discuss any questions you may have about Ansel Park’s role in your senior’s life.
