As people age, they often face physical challenges that make it difficult to live independently. For those who could use help with daily living activities, such as bathing, dressing, cooking, and keeping the house clean, the move to an Assisted Living community can provide a step up in both lifestyle and living conditions.

In addition to care and assistance with activities of daily living, Assisted Living communities offer a variety of social and recreational options. On-site fitness centers, libraries, and game rooms provide opportunities for seniors to feel engaged in life again and can be a lifesaver for seniors who live in isolation due to mobility issues or lack of transportation.

With access to 24-hour care and support, as well as a wide range of engaging activities, outings, and social events, the Assisted Living lifestyle can help seniors maintain as much independence as possible while improving their quality of life

Helping hands ensure safety and well-being

Assisted Living is a type of long-term care that provides personal care and other services to people who need help with activities of daily living. It includes help with bathing, dressing, eating, using the toilet, transferring from bed to chair, moving around the community, and medication management. 

Trained staff also keep a close eye on residents’ health and can provide prompt medical attention if needed. Assisted Living communities provide health-related services, social and recreational activities, and 24-hour supervision. It all adds up to a safe and secure living arrangement, with many amenities thrown in to make life enjoyable. 

Security measures, such as alarms and surveillance cameras, help ensure the safety of residents. Security measures such as these provide peace of mind, which in turn, can improve health and well-being.

Most Assisted Living communities serve three meals per day in a shared dining room where residents can visit while dining. Transportation services make it easy for residents to get out and about. Whether running errands, going to the doctor, or attending social events, transportation services allow seniors to maintain an important level of independence.

Assisted Living residents are generally over 65 in age, but some communities serve younger adults with physical disabilities or chronic illnesses. Assisted Living is designed for people who need more assistance than can be reliably provided at home but do not require the level of care provided in a Skilled Nursing Facility. Some communities offer memory care services for residents with Alzheimer’s or other types of dementia.

Friends that turn lives around — the benefits of socialization

Whether it’s sharing meals in the dining room, participating in activities together, or simply chatting in the common area, Assisted Living provides seniors with plenty of opportunities to make new friends and banish feelings of loneliness and isolation. Socialization has a dramatic, positive effect on seniors’ mental health.

A Brigham Young University study found that little social interaction can equal the negative health effects of smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Further, it is more harmful than not exercising, and twice as harmful as obesity.

A similar study by the English Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSA) found that the socially isolated or chronically lonely are more likely to suffer negative health effects from poor diet, lack of physical activity, smoking, and excess alcohol consumption.

All told, the socialization opportunities offered in Assisted Living communities can mean the difference between aging successfully and living in lonely despair.  Seniors living in Assisted Living facilities have lower rates of depression and anxiety than those who live alone.

The structure and routine of Assisted Living can help to improve mental health, and the staff is often trained to provide support if needed. Many communities offer activities and events that can help to keep residents mentally stimulated.

Maintaining independence — without being home alone

Residents have plenty of opportunities to socialize and receive assistance with daily living activities, but in most Assisted Living communities, they live independently in their own private apartments or suites. Having one’s own space provides an important sense of living independently, even though some help may be needed with daily living activities.

Feeling independent has a positive impact on one’s sense of well-being and self image. It begins with the right setting that includes comfortable surroundings and enough space to accommodate personal belongings that make a person feel at home. 

Most Assisted Living apartments provide refrigerators and microwaves, so residents can make snacks or simple meals for themselves if they prefer to stay home to watch a favorite movie or read a book. It’s the feeling of being safe on your own, yet in a supportive environment, that makes Assisted Living a winning lifestyle for many seniors.

Tips for choosing a community that offers the best fit 

There are a number of factors to consider when visiting Assisted Living communities. Below are some that can help you find the ideal Assisted Living community.

Budget

Senior living communities can range widely in price, from a few hundred dollars per month to several thousand. It is important to find a community that you can afford without sacrificing the quality of care.

Level of care

Some communities provide basic assistance with activities of daily living, while others offer more comprehensive care, including medical assistance and memory care. Carefully assess how well the community can meet your loved one’s current and future needs.

Location, location, location

Just as in all real estate, location matters. Choosing a community close to family members and friends can make visiting easier and entice them to visit more frequently. However, communities located near hospitals, or amenities such as shopping and dining, may suit you and your loved one better. It’s best toonsider your loved one’s lifestyle and needs when making your decision.

See it, smell it, taste it

Personal visits are critical. You want to observe how the community looks and smells. Time your visit during mealtime so you can see, and even taste, the quality of food being served. You’ll need to inspect the apartment to determine how your loved one’s furniture will fit in the space. You also want to observe how staff interact with the residents. Are they friendly? Do the residents seem happy? Talk to residents while you’re there and ask them how they like living in the community. 

Tours give you a chance to see how the community operates and get a feel for the culture. Ask questions about the staff’s training and experience, as well as the types of activities and programs that are offered. With a little legwork, you will be able to find the perfect senior living community for your loved one.

Making the move a joyful one

The decision to move a loved one into an Assisted Living community is never an easy one. However, with some preparation and planning, the transition can be a smooth and positive experience for everyone involved. Keep in mind these golden tips:

Involve your loved one senior in the decision-making process.

They will feel more comfortable with the move if they feel they’ve been part of making the decision. It will give them a sense of control over the situation. Forcing a move on someone can lead to feelings of resentment and isolation.

Once you’ve chosen a community, take some time to familiarize yourself with the staff and facilities.

Knowing that your loved one senior is going to be well cared for will put your mind at ease. When you visit, be sure to ask about the community’s policies and procedures.

Start packing well in advance

Advance packing helps minimize stress on moving day and makes it quicker to stage the new home in a familiar arrangement. A familiar set-up can ease your loved one into getting settled sooner. 

There are plenty of downsizing guides available online, as well as professional transition service providers who can handle every aspect of the move — from estate sales, to scheduling moving companies, to moving and setting up the new apartment for move-in..

Plan to visit regularly

Regular visits allow you to make sure that your loved one has adjusted to the new surroundings and is doing well.

Stay positive and encourage socialization.

The transition into Assisted Living can be emotionally difficult for both you and your loved one. It’s important to stay positive and encourage socialization with other residents to help them adjust to their new life and feel more at home.

With a little effort, you can make the transition into Assisted Living a positive experience for everyone involved.

The Club: Assisted Living & Memory Care

No matter your age or abilities, The Club at Boynton Beach will help you live a life filled with friends, interesting activities and outings, and plenty of helping hands when needed. Our amenities are cutting-edge, our programming is intentional, and supportive services guide residents to achieve their personal health and wellness goals. 

From chef-inspired dining to physical therapy services, we provide the best foundation possible for your loved one to refresh and reboot. With a broad range of social opportunities and service amenities, they’ll enjoy plenty of opportunities to connect with others and create an enjoyable new chapter of life.

The terms “Assisted Living” and “Independent Living appear to be self-defining, but many seniors and their families confuse the two. That’s because these retirement living options generally have several features in common — a supportive, safe and secure environment, prepared meals, transportation services, recreational activities, social events, and on-site healthcare.

Choosing between the two generally comes down to the person’s ability to manage daily activities without extra assistance. Daily activities include tasks like preparing meals, bathing and toileting, taking medications correctly, managing household chores, driving, and keeping up with personal finances.

Individuals who can still perform all or most of the activities of daily living without assistance are a good fit for Independent Living. In general, retirement communities offer countless amenities for an enjoyable lifestyle that promotes healthy aging, so let’s take a look at the benefits that both offer. 

Independent living — the ultimate freedom 

One of the most common phrases heard from seniors who move into Independent Living residences is, “I wish I’d moved here sooner!” 

For the first time in decades, these residents are free from many of the responsibilities of daily life, like house cleaning, home and yard maintenance, and cooking three meals a day. They have also escaped the social isolation many experience while living at home alone, and they find the easy availability of friendships refreshing, even exhilarating.

Independent residents also cherish another freedom that retirement communities offer — freedom from worry about safety. Living at home, especially alone, creates concerns of all kinds. How would I get help if I fall or become ill? Am I safe here at night? How will I meet my needs if I give up driving?

Moving into an Independent Living residence eliminates the need to worry about safety. With 24-hour security, residents can relax and gain peace of mind. In addition, these communities have staff members available at any time to assist with medical emergencies and other needs.

Safety among a community of friends appeals to many seniors, but they also find that other amenities offered by the community enhance their lives in ways they rarely imagined possible. Given regular opportunities to attend parties, play games, take up new hobbies, exercise, and share meals with friends — residents in retirement communities have the ability to live life to the fullest.

Many communities feature on-site fitness centers with pools, tennis courts, and walking/jogging trails. They can include social clubs, restaurants, and billiard rooms. Some offer shuttle services to local shopping and entertainment venues, and many provide a variety of educational and cultural programs, including cooking classes, art classes, and lectures by guest speakers..

The best way to envision Independent Living is to think back to your high school days. You have a car, or readily available transportation services, and can go anywhere you choose. You have a fully furnished kitchen in your home and can cook when you feel like it, or you can join friends in the dining room for a meal. You have parties and events to attend, and a wealth of activities to enjoy, and almost everything you need in life is taken care of by others. With this vision in mind, is it any wonder why the second most common phrase from Independent Living residents is, “I feel like a kid again!”

How does Independent Living work, and who pays for it?

Independent living is a lifestyle choice for seniors who want to live in their own homes or apartments without the assistance of family, friends, or paid caregivers. Depending on the resources available, there are several different ways to finance Independent Living. 

Generally, seniors rely on the nest egg of savings they have built over many decades. The nest egg can include home equity, liquid savings, pensions, and investment income. It can also include income from Social Security.

Independent Living communities can be operated by for-profit or not-for-profit organizations. Some operate on an entry-fee model, while others rely on a rental model. In entry-fee communities, individuals pay an upfront “entrance fee,” and also a monthly fee to cover the cost of operational expenses. By contrast, a rental community is exactly as it sounds. Seniors simply pay a monthly rent to help cover the community’s operational costs.

Entry-fee communities are often referred to as “Life Plan Communities.” They use the upfront fee as a fund that can partially offset the cost of increased levels of care as the senior ages. In a rental community, seniors will pay the existing market rate if they need to move to a higher level of care. 

It is important to note that Independent Living communities do not provide the same level of care as Assisted Living, and since needs change as most of us age, it’s important to compare rental versus entry-fee options in light of the future cost of a higher level of care. In general, Independent Living costs less than traditional Skilled Nursing Facilities or Assisted Living communities.

If a senior lacks the financial ability to consider an entry-fee community or any of the rental communities in the area, there are government programs that fund rental communities for individuals and couples with limited financial means. Some receive funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, which provides subsidies for low-income seniors. In addition, these communities may charge monthly fees to cover the cost of extra amenities and services.

The top 5 reasons to choose an Independent Living community

Most Independent Living communities can be the perfect solution for seniors who value their independence. Here are the top five reasons to choose an Independent Living community:

• Freedom and flexibility

Independent living communities offer a high degree of freedom and flexibility, allowing residents to live independently while still having access to supportive services as needed.

• Socialization

There are many causes for social isolation among seniors — the loss of a spouse, living among neighbors who have busy families and no time to visit, children and other relatives who live far away. Some seniors feel less confident about driving and this can limit getting together with others. 

Independent living communities provide ample opportunities for social interaction, from group activities to shared meals, to opportunities for everyday interactions with staff and other residents. 

• Maintenance-free living

Independent living communities take care of home maintenance hassles, from lawn care to housekeeping, to repairs and renovations. This frees residents to enjoy their retirement without worrying about the day-to-day home chores.

• Personalized care

Independent living communities offer tailored care services that can be customized to meet each individual’s needs and preferences. Independent living communities provide services that seniors need to maintain their independence.

• A sense of community

Social opportunities create a true sense of community, with staff and fellow residents invested in maintaining a supportive and enriching environment. It fosters peace of mind for seniors who age in a place surrounded by friends and familiar faces. Residents rally to support each other in good times and bad.

Assisted living — a helping hand when needed

Assisted Living provides a different kind of freedom. In Assisted Living communities, seniors who struggle to manage the activities of daily living can find the freedom to enjoy life again. The important point to remember about Assisted Living is it provides a helping hand when needed. Assisted Living communities provide a supportive and safe environment where seniors may live as independently as possible while also having access to supportive services.

Support services can include transportation, help with medication management, and help with bathing, dressing, and other activities of daily living. Many communities maintain on-site medical and rehab facilities to help residents stay healthy and mobile. In addition, Assisted Living communities offer amenities that can make life comfortable and carefree, such as housekeeping, laundry service, and nutritious meals.

Residents in Assisted Living will discover a variety of activities and entertainment that make life fun and fulfilling. Many communities offer opportunities for residents to socialize with their peers at game nights, movie nights, parties and group outings. 

Many communities include wellness centers, activity rooms, and shared common areas and outdoor gardens where residents can spend time visiting with friends. Others feature kitchen areas that allow residents to participate in cooking activities.

You’ll also find on-site exercise rooms, hair salons, and libraries. These amenities create an especially convenient living environment for residents.

All told, Assisted Living can provide peace of mind to both residents and their families. Seniors who struggle to complete daily living tasks can now relax and so can their families, knowing that their loved ones are being cared for in a supportive and safe environment.

How does Assisted Living work, and who pays for it?

Assisted Living communities operate on a private-pay model, much like the Independent Living rental community. Residents pay a monthly service fee, which they must fund themselves. It comes as a shock to many to learn that Medicare or Medicaid will not cover the cost of Assisted Living.

Instead,  Assisted Living residents must rely on their nest egg of savings, pensions, Social Security income, and investment income to meet the monthly expense. Those who planned ahead by purchasing long-term care insurance are generally able to collect monthly payments from these policies to help offset the cost. 

It is crucial to note that the cost of Assisted Living can vary; it depends on the community type, location, and the required level of care. Planning ahead for the aging years by setting aside funds and purchasing long-term care insurance is a smart move in preparing for the needs of senior living.

The top 5 reasons to choose an Assisted Living community

Opting for an Assisted Living community doesn’t have to be a difficult decision. There are many reasons why an it may be the best choice for you or your loved one. Here are 5 reasons to consider: 

• Social opportunities.

If you or your loved one feels isolated and lonely due to an inability to drive, children who live out of the area, or loss of a spouse, an Assisted Living community can provide much-needed socialization and a sense of community. Regular social activities can make a tremendous difference in the mental health of seniors.

• Help with activities of daily living.

Assisted Living communities provide necessary support to seniors who struggle with completing activities of daily living.. Trained staff members can assist as needed while still respecting each individual’s privacy and independence. 

• Peace of mind.

Having trained professionals within the community to provide assistance 24 hours a day gives residents the safety and security they need to relax and enjoy life. Families gain peace of mind as well. Many communities offer security features such as electronic key fobs or alarms to help further ensure safety. 

• Specialized care.

An Assisted Living community may be the best option if you or your loved one has specific care needs, such as memory care or hospice care. These communities employ specially trained staff members and supply the necessary medical equipment. 

• Customized living. 

When you choose an Assisted Living community, you’ll have the opportunity to select a floor plan and amenities that meet your specific needs and preferences. You’ll also be able to choose how much assistance you need, whether it’s just a little bit or around-the-clock care. 

How can you tell if an Independent or Assisted Living community is right for you or your loved one?

The choice between Independent Living and Assisted Living depends on both financial resources and timing. Many residents in Assisted Living often say they wish they had moved to Independent Living first, while they were still able to enjoy the many activities offered. In the end, this may well be the biggest difference between Assisted Living and Independent Living. 

Regardless of which choice you determine is the best fit, there are general considerations that apply to either community:

Does the community offer the level of care you need?

An Assisted Living community may be a better fit if you’re looking for a higher level of support services. On the other hand, an Independent Living community may be a better option if you’re living independently and can complete most or all tasks of daily living with little or no assistance.

What is the community’s atmosphere like?

Do you feel welcome and comfortable when you visit? Do the Independent Living residents seem happy? Is the staff friendly and helpful? These are key factors in choosing a community.

What amenities does the community offer?

Are there plenty of activities and social events? Are the common areas well-maintained? Is transportation available? Again, these are all important factors to consider.

What is the cost of living in the community?

Can you afford the monthly fee? Are there any hidden costs? Make sure you understand all of the financial details before making a decision.

Choosing an Independent Living or Assisted Living community is a big decision. There’s no easy answer, but by considering these factors, you can make sure you choose the proper community for you or your loved one.

The Club: Life-Affirming Assisted Living in Boynton Beach

Regardless of age or ability, The Club at Boynton Beach provides an environment where residents can live life to the fullest. 

With modern amenities, purposeful programming, and supportive services to help residents meet their health and wellness goals, The Club is more than just a place to live — it’s a community designed to help residents thrive.

The Club also offers specialized care services for residents with memory impairments or other cognitive challenges. Contact us today to learn how The Club can help you or your loved one live a healthy, happy, and independent life.