According to research, over 1 in 5 Americans (21.3%) are currently providing unpaid care to their elderly parent as of 2020. The thought of placing a parent into an assisted senior living facility is a dreaded thought for many adult children, however, it doesn’t have to be that way.
Assisted senior living is an enjoyable experience for many residents. Assisted living facilities provide a sense of comfort, community, stimulation, and belonging. In addition to that, they also offer safety, security, and increased quality of life. Especially living in colder climates such as Anchorage, Alaska.
The only question is, beyond the physical benefits of health and safety, what are the emotional benefits of living in assisted senior living?
Thankfully, we’ve created this article to help you understand the amazing emotional benefits of living in assisted senior living in Anchorage, Alaska.
Keep on reading to learn more about how assisted living care can improve your parent’s overall quality of life.
1. Provides a Sense of Community
Seniors living at home experience higher levels of social isolation, which can lead to depression, anxiety, and a loss of purpose. As we age, not only does the world around us change dramatically but also, our social circle becomes nearly non-existent too.
Thankfully, living in assisted senior living facilities gives residents the feeling that they are part of a bigger family. Everyone gets to know each other well, from the regular staff to the other residents which provides a comfortable feeling of belonging and love.
2. More Stimulation
Not only does living alone feel lonely and isolated, but it also can get quite boring and dull. This lack of stimulation can negatively impact the emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual well-being of that person at home.
When looking for a location, the best assisted living community in Anchorage is one that includes a lot of activities for people of all interests. This way, the residents can get outside of their mundane routine and try new fun activities, create new hobbies, and make new friends.
These activities are curated specifically to improve physical health, improve cognitive function, provide fun and play, and connect to creativity. Some of the exercises and activities at Baxter Senior Living include:
- Shuffleboard
- Physical fitness and gym
- Health and Wellness Programs
- Arts and Crafts
- Chair yoga
- Sing along songs
- Movie theatre with community movie nights
- Trivia nights
- Social hours
- Happy hour
- Cafe and bar
- Local dog park
- Animal therapy
- Community BBQs
- Games nights
There are endless activities to experience for the residents, and if something is missing from the list, we will make sure it will happen. Download our events and activities planner to find out more!
3. Nourishing Meals
For many, nothing is more satisfying than a delicious home-cooked meal. As people age, their desire to cook declines, and the safety of cooking alone can also become dangerous. Also, many adult-caregivers find it hard to handle both their own lives and expectations and need to cook for their elderly parents.
This is exactly the feel we aim to express at Baxter Senior Living, which is why we have high-class chefs that create the most incredible comforting meals. Each meal has different options according to dietary restrictions, allergies, and preferences, so everyone can feel safe as they savor their meal.
4. Less Worry and More Safety
Being an adult caregiver, it can feel overwhelming to not only have to take care of your own children but also have to take care of your aging parents as well. This can lead to caregiver burnout and resentment towards your parents. In fact, over 36% of family caregivers consider their lives to be extra stressful because of the added pressures of caregiving.
If your parents are in an assisted living facility, you can have a piece of mind knowing that they are going to be safe, comfortable, happy, and well-taken care of. This will take the stress and pressure off of you, as both you and your parents will be able to enjoy your lives more.
5. More Spare Time For Joy
As your elderly parents age, the desire to do housework feels more like a burden. This means they lose the motivation to cook, clean, do yard work, and chores around the house. Not only that, but it can also become more dangerous to do so, with increased risks of falls and injuries.
This is an unsettling feeling for both the parent and adult-caregivers because you are unsure if your parent is going to be well-nourished, bathed, and safe in their home.
If they move into an assisted senior living community, they no longer have to even think about those chores, and instead, can focus more on themselves. This means they can focus more on reading, arts, socializing, planning, and enjoying their quality of life more.
6. High-Quality Care
Hygiene becomes a major concern for the elderly population living at home, including dressing, bathing, laundry, medication, and personal care routines. This is especially more difficult if the individual suffers from cognitive decline and memory loss.
Thankfully, Baxter Senior Living, which is the best assisted living community in Anchorage, offers many different levels of personal care for the residents. This ranges from assisted living to memory care, high acuity care, and respite care.
Every staff member is thoroughly trained to ensure the highest level of care while focusing on the respect of dignity, privacy, and independence.
There is no one-size-fits-all for care, as each resident is unique with their needs. We focus on catering to the level of care that an individual requires, while still promoting a sense of independence.
Learn More About Senior Assisted Living in Anchorage
Moving into an assisted senior living facility is not only safer, but it is overall better for quality of life and emotional wellness for the entire family.
If you and your elderly parent are ready for this next phase of your lives, feel free to contact us at any time to arrange an appointment.
