With the rise in the number of seniors who are living well into their eighties and nineties, there has been a rise in the number of assisted living facilities. Seniors nowadays are liable to be more independent and active than the generation that came before them. This is why these facilities have risen in number and are quickly becoming the go-to places for seniors who are living at home alone.
However, there are also many people who tend to confuse assisted living homes with nursing homes. Nonetheless, this is actually not true. There is a small similarity; both facilities exist to provide care for seniors. Conversely, there is a huge difference between the two.
As seniors grow older, it is natural that their mental and physical capabilities will being to decline. In turn, any other sicknesses they may have will become aggravated. This is what leads to the diseases growing more malignant over time. Finally, seniors reach a stage where they need constant medical care and the vigilance of trained medical professionals. These are the services that are provided by the nursing homes.
Conversely, there are also many seniors who are still able to function on their own. These seniors seldom require the help of others with tasks in their daily lives. These seniors are the ones who are more likely to be seen living on their own, as they do not need too much help. However, what ends up happening is that these seniors may end up leading lonely, isolated lives. They may only meet their family members on the weekends or for special occasions. These are the seniors who choose to live in assisted living communities.
There are big differences between the kinds of care the seniors get in a nursing home and in an assisted living home. Nursing homes are best for emergencies and cases that are very serious. The assisted living facility offers the seniors the chance of leading a fulfilled life with many socialization opportunities.
One of the reasons why these assisted living facilities have risen in popularity is because they also offer the seniors many different activities to take part in. This is actually one of the best ways to reduce their loneliness. This encourages the seniors to interact with their peers, especially if they are participating in an activity that interests them.
There are a wide range of these activities for the seniors to take part in, and they are planned to take place all throughout the year. These activities also help to keep the seniors on their feet. These activities can halt the seniors from falling into sedentary habits, such as watching television for hours on end. Sedentary habits like this can cause more harm than good.
Seniors can participate in quizzes or learn new skills, such as cooking or stitching. They can also try their hand at a new hobby, such as gardening or painting. One of the popular pastimes for seniors includes playing card games, as well as chess or Sudoku. Seniors can also go on outings together to local establishments, such as retail or grocery stores, or going to the movies.