Healthy Meals
Everyone needs a healthy lifestyle and the right foods, but seniors need it even more. The good news is that many assisted living facilities like Aviva Senior Living provide nutrient-dense meals, including those appropriate for folks on special diets like reduced salt or those with diabetes.
Additionally, a healthy diet is important for aging adults because it can help reduce levels of interleukin-6, which are linked to cardiovascular disease and arthritis—cooking methods like blanching, steaming, and roasting cut down on added fats and oils.
Aside from the health benefits, these cooking techniques add to the overall flavor of a meal. This is important because many older adults can become stuck in a food rut and find their favorite dishes no longer appealing.
Social Interaction
Studies show that seniors who socialize regularly experience greater happiness and a sense of purpose. Assisted living communities encourage regular interaction among residents by hosting events and offering a variety of activities. These programs help them develop new connections and maintain old ones, which can also keep seniors from experiencing the stress of isolation and loneliness.
Keeping in touch with family and friends can improve a senior’s quality of life, and many assisted living communities encourage monthly visits from family members. They can even provide transportation assistance to doctors’ appointments, grocery shopping, or planned events. They can also receive nutritious meals, and their dietary needs will be met by staff members with on-site dieticians. This can help reduce malnutrition and the risk of other health complications.
Personalized Care
Many seniors need help with daily activities, and assisted living offers a wide range of living options, amenities, assistance, services, dining choices, and social programs. Staff members can manage medications and keep track of health changes, and residents have 24/7 access to help if needed.
Seniors should lead healthy lifestyles. Thus, assisted living homes frequently provide fitness centers and programs to promote physical activity. This may aid in illness prevention and enhance balance, strength, and memory.
Loneliness among older adults who live alone has been related to a greater incidence of depression and a compromised immune system. Assisted living facilities can give your loved one a chance to maintain important relationships with their loved ones and make new ones. Having this support can give them a much more comfortable and enjoyable life.
Transportation
The quality of life for seniors is improved by having access to 24/7 nursing care, administration of medications, monitoring their mood and behavior, and transportation. This is usually not available at home or in other living arrangements.
In addition, they can get out and about to social events, community meetings, exercise classes, or guest speakers. Studies have shown that loneliness can be damaging to the body and mind.
Many older adults have persistent transportation limitations that prevent them from attending their medical appointments, exercise programs, and other important life-sustaining activities. Expanding affordable door-to-door mobility options like community ride-hailing and vanpooling can help bridge this gap and improve their quality of life.
Safety
Assisted living may be their best option if a senior struggles with everyday tasks like dressing or bathing or can’t safely perform a task at home. They’ll have access to around-the-clock care and assistance. Additionally, kids will have a safe setting, someone to turn to for help when necessary, and they will be less reluctant to ask for assistance than they may be at home.
Getting to low-impact exercise programs will be simple for them to build their strength and balance. Additionally, they will have the opportunity for new experiences and social interaction with elderly citizens. Loneliness and isolation can result in worse health, more disability, and a higher death rate. Research shows that productive engagement improves function. CAPABLE (Community Aging in Place, Advancing Better Living for Elders) is a good program that focuses on individual and environmental factors to increase the functional ability of seniors.
