What does residential assisted-living care look like?

3 years ago ·

What does residential assisted-living care look like?

Residential care homes offer a smaller, more home-like family setting for seniors.  These care homes are typically located in traditional homes and neighborhoods and provide care for fewer residents than assisted living communities. Service offerings include food services and assistance with daily living, part-time medical professional care is offered.  This live-in housing and care option is great for people who do not have skilled medical needs, such as a feeding tube or daily injections and a great option for individuals who are looking for a smaller-home-like setting.

There are seniors that enjoy the benefits of living in a home shared with other seniors. They have their own rooms, and occasionally bathrooms, but share common areas such as family room and dining room. The company of other seniors, especially when they have shared interests and experiences eliminates the typical feelings of loneliness and isolation experienced when living alone.

If you have ever watched an episode of the Golden Girls or seen the movie “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”, you will understand the warm, loving, and supportive environment that residential assisted-living can offer. When you transition to this type of environment, it is a less traumatic event as you feel that you are just moving from one comforting home to another without the added stress of having to worry about meal planning, upkeeping and home maintenance and still can continue to live with the choices you had before.

Want to learn more about residential senior living?  Call us today 519-534-5878 or Request your Information Package Today!

Image Credit: Golden Girls/Facebook

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Currently Aging in Place?  Learn about an Alternative to Traditional Retirement Senior Living

3 years ago ·

Currently Aging in Place? Learn about an Alternative to Traditional Retirement Senior Living

Many Canadians want to age in place in their own home or community, they wish to live at home for as long as possible.  Seniors much prefer aging in place compared to facility care, but sometimes physical or cognitive decline makes it difficult to live independently.  The decision to age in place allows seniors to enjoy a sense of independence and comfort that only home can provide.  They also enjoy better health outcomes on average, despite lower care costs.

However, the choice to age in place isn’t always as simple as it may seem.  While staying at home has some obvious advantages, there are also several disadvantages, the biggest one being feelings of loneliness and isolation.  Even with friendly neighbors and family nearby, older adults that live alone often succumb to feeling lonely and socially isolated.

As an aging senior, even if you have made the decision to age in place, it is important to start planning so you are prepared to respond to changes that may occur as you age; such as changes in your health, mobility or social connections. It is also important to consider the unexpected, such as a sudden onset of chronic illness, development of a disability or a change in resources.

Families often presume that traditional retirement homes or institutional care are the only alternatives to living independently in your own home.  However, there are plenty of alternatives to traditional retirement communities or assisted-living facilities.  One of these options is often referred to as “micro-communities”, “residential assisted-living care”, “board and care homes” or “smaller-scale assisted living”.

These communities are known as “homelike residential/assisted living care”, as the name suggests, these are small communities that are great for the senior who wish to avoid a larger, institutional, crowded assisted living facility.

The phrase “assisted living” typically conjures up images of a sterile, hospital-like environment, but there are newer options for seniors who want a high level of care in a warmer, more home-like atmosphere. This unique senior living model means more interaction between staff members and residents in a relaxed environment.

Interested in learning more about residential senior living?  Call us today 519-534-5878 or Request your Information Package Today!

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