Have you ever wondered whether you’d be happier, healthier, or more at ease in a senior living community? For someone who requires daily support, a move to Assisted Living could be life-changing.
“Everyone ages at their own pace and requires different care at different times,” says Kersten Fisher, executive director of CedarStone Senior Living. “Assisted Living professionals take this into account and create personalized care plans for each resident, shifting our services to their changing needs and goals.”
This guide will help you understand what Assisted Living provides and whether it’s time to consider this transition.
What is Assisted Living?
Assisted Living communities provide individualized care to older adults in an environment that preserves the highest possible level of independence. Assisted Living is designed for seniors who require some support to complete activities of daily living (ADLs) and who would benefit from the community life at a place like CedarStone.
Services and amenities you can expect in Assisted Living include:
- A secure community with team members on site 24 hours a day
- Medication management
- Help with bathing, dressing, and grooming
- 24-hour emergency response system
- Healthy, chef-prepared meals
- Toileting and continence care
- Coumadin care
- Monitoring vital signs
Questions to Determine Whether You’re Ready for Assisted Living
Moving into Assisted Living can raise brand-new questions about your changing health. This checklist includes some signs that may indicate this is the right time for you to seek Assisted Living support.
- Do you struggle to complete activities of daily living? These may include dressing, bathing, feeding, toileting, and moving around safely. Professionals at an Assisted Living community will offer you the support you need to complete these essential tasks.
- Do you feel safe in your current home? If you have experienced falls or had any close calls in your current home, it may be time to move. Assisted Living residences are designed with accessibility and safety in mind. CedarStone team members are on site all hours of the day who will respond immediately in case of a fall or other emergency.
- Do you have chronic or worsening health conditions? Perhaps you’re currently receiving in-home care services that are sufficient to cover your health care needs, but you anticipate those needs becoming more complex. In this case, you may want to consider your options for the future when you need more intensive support.
- Are you lonely? It happens often that older adults become isolated, especially during long winters or storms. Opportunities for social interactions dwindle, and sometimes driving capabilities wane as you age. At a senior living community like CedarStone, you can participate in social events and foster friendship through mutual interests and activities.
- Do you want more variety or nutrition in your diet? Whether you’re finding it difficult to keep up with cooking three meals a day or you need support to adhere to a doctor-recommended diet, Assisted Living can ease your burden. Senior living typically offers several dining options with restaurant-style meals that meet your nutritional needs.
- Do you want a maintenance-free life? Moving to an Assisted Living facility supports your independence in many ways. For example, the community takes responsibility for some of the more cumbersome household tasks that increasingly pose safety challenges. With these supports, you can instead pursue new hobbies and friendships. At CedarStone, you can count on weekly housekeeping, laundry services, apartment maintenance and landscaping.
- Have friends, family members, or a physician expressed concern about you living alone? Often, older adults equate Assisted Living with nursing homes or skilled nursing facilities. When it’s recommended, they can feel apprehensive or fearful that they’ll lose their independence. The reality is quite the opposite. In fact, Assisted Living allows you to explore new and varied life experiences with less worry about your mental and physical health.
- Are you noticing memory loss? For those with dementia, the debate may be between a move to Assisted Living or Memory Care. Often, mild cognitive decline can be managed in Assisted Living. However, if more extensive support is needed, this is offered on site at CedarStone through Memory Care.
CedarStone Assisted Living Could Enhance Your Life
CedarStone Senior Living is a community nestled in the Greenhill Village Estates neighborhood in Cedar Falls, Iowa. It’s truly a place to thrive, which is apparent when you visit our Assisted Living neighborhood. From individualized care to senior housing to recreational activities, everything is designed with you in mind.
Contact us today to visit our campus and experience the carefree lifestyle at CedarStone.