A move to a residential care home can have many reasons. The apartment may be too large or small for the senior, it may not be barrier-free and not allow for adequate care, or they may want to be closer to relatives.
If it becomes too difficult to care for yourself alone in your apartment because it’s not age-appropriate or the renovations are too complicated, residential care housing is helpful. It doesn’t matter whether you come to assisted living alone, as a couple, or as friends.
A move for seniors is associated with a lot of effort. So what are the benefits of moving?
What You Can Expect from a Residential Care Home
Assisted living promotes the independence of older people without them having to do without help and support. Seniors live in an age-appropriate and barrier-free apartment and can participate in the numerous services, shared meals with other seniors, and entertainment activities.
You may not feel you need to move into a residential care home. You may be worried about moving out of your home. There may be other options, which may be cheaper or help you retain your independence. These include: making changes to your current home, hiring a care worker, or moving to a new and better-suited home.
Residential care homes offer many advantages
- Seniors remain independent as far as possible.
- Age-appropriate and barrier-free living environment.
- Own apartment and enough privacy.
- Usually good connections to public transportation and medical practices.
- Promotes social communication between peers.
- Often further services can be accessed as needed.
“You can expect a good care home to be responsive to your needs because Your care, treatment and support are set out in a written plan that describes what staff need to do to make sure that you receive personalised care.” Care Quality Commission
Do Care Homes Provide Specialist Care?
Care homes provide accommodation as well as personal care for seniors requiring extra support in their daily lives. Personal care may include assistance with eating, washing, getting dressed, meals, or taking medication.
Care homes offer numerous services and opportunities too. These include driving and escort services, trips and help with errands, help with correspondence and administration, recreation rooms, and outpatient care services. Sometimes cafés, hobby rooms, and other opportunities for people to spend their free time can also be found within a care home.
How Do Residential Care Homes Keep Residents Active?
As we age we can suffer from a loss of self-esteem, depression, memory loss, reduced mobility as well as loneliness. Keeping active and socially connected is extremely important in old age.
Physical Activity
Whatever your age, staying physically active is important. Most care homes understand this and offer a range of activities from bowling to walking trips. Competitive games build team spirit and help everyone get a good night’s sleep!
Music and Dance
Movement is integrated into other programs, too. Music recitals and productions are popular with both residents and family. Music assists in memory retention, and what senior doesn’t like to dance?
Arts and Crafts
Art keeps hands and minds nimble too. Everyone is an artist! Painting, working with clay, compiling scrapbooks of family photos, gardening, and cooking are offered by most residential care homes, too.
“Engagement in leisure activities has been claimed to be highly beneficial in the elderly. Practicing such activities (can) help older adults to preserve cognitive function, physical function, and mental health, and thus to contribute to successful aging.” National Library of Medicine
How Do Care Homes Ensure Residents Get the Right Nutrition?
Residential home staff are there to care for your needs. This includes a meal plan if you have chosen this as a part of your care plan. If you are cooking for yourself, you can also go a long way to ensure you remain healthy with the right intake of food and drink.
Provide Daily Energy and Nutrition
Regardless of age, we need to consciously eat a healthy and well-balanced diet. It’s probably truer when we are very young and very old! Consuming a proper diet keeps us energized and in good health. Care homes provide a balanced menu for those times we aren’t cooking for ourselves.
Keep Interested in Food and Meal Preparation
As we age our appetites will reduce. It can be a challenge to remain interested in food — especially if we need to prepare meals ourselves. Create a menu with a variety of healthy meals. A care home will provide this or the necessary support.
Staying Hydrated – Even When We Forget
Water, tea, juices, perhaps even a glass of wine with dinner. Our bodies require water even if we don’t feel thirsty. Drinking helps our digestion, and a coffee or tea can be a welcome break in the day. Home staff will have a hydration plan for when we forget to drink enough, too.
“Good nutrition is important, no matter what your age. It gives you energy and can help you control your weight. It may also help prevent some diseases. But as you age, your body and life change, and so do what you need to stay healthy. You may need fewer calories, but you still need to get enough nutrients. Some older adults need more protein.” Medline Plus
Ready to Learn about Living in a Care Home?
Looking at residential care home options is overwhelming, we get it. We’d love to talk about your long-term goals and how to best meet the needs of your loved one or yourself. Let’s book an appointment for a conversation and a tour today.