Is Assisted Living the Right Choice?

Caring for aging family members is ingrained in our culture. It provides safety and comfort to those who raised us. It connects one generation to the next through a special type of human interaction. But at what point do get help from communities like ACC Senior Services?

Assisted Living is a Lifestyle

At ACC, we view assisted living not only as a set of services for older adults, but also as a lifestyle that places the resident’s desire for freedom and control in the center. Answering these questions will help you decide if assisted living is right for your family member:

Social

• How can mom make her own decisions and do the things she enjoys most?
• How is her current living arrangement holding her back?
• Does mom have an adequate family support system?
• Does mom feel isolated? What kind of social setting will she be happy in?
• How can she maintain her physical and mental fitness?

Practical

• Is mom safe in her home? Is she prone to falling?
• Is she eating enough healthy food on a regular basis?
• Can mom take care of her own hygiene and groom herself?
• Is mom able to manage her own medication?
• Is mom able to maintain her home and pay her bills on time?
• Does mom have access to transportation?

A good assisted living community gives residents ample choices. Residents decide what they want to do, where they want to go, what they want to learn, and and whom they want to socialize with. Freedom and control is possible because all the chores of getting though the day are done by someone else.

At ACC, the most immediate and noticeable benefit of assisted living is that it brings residents out of isolation. They spend quality time with each other and with staff. Family members still take them on outings and vacations, but the uncertainty of providing a safe and comfortable home upon their return is completely eliminated.

Deciding to move a family member into assisted living can be difficult. Sometimes it’s for cultural reasons. Sometimes family members can’t agree on a plan. At times like this, it’s helpful to talk to residents who chose the assisted living path for themselves and ask “could this be what mom wants?” In making their decision, some residents wanted to remain socially active, but did not want to maintain a house, pay bills, or cook. Some residents did not have family members who could provide caregiving. Some had family members, but did want to place this burden on them. By making the decision to downsize and enter an assisted living community, they demonstrated their desire to maintain their freedom and control.

Assisted living at ACC provides a customized plan of care and a necessary social environment that keeps residents engaged and feeling free. At ACC, our strong family culture adds to the quality of life and everyone’s sense of accountability to each other.