Thursday, April 28, 2011

The Advantages Of Assisted Living And Why Facilities Provide That Assistance

By Adriana Noton


For many it is hard to face the reality that a loved one may not be able to care for themselves on a day to day basis any longer. It may be a parent or grandparent that needs a special kind of attention. Many of their children and grandchildren would like to take them into their own homes and care for them but may not have the facilities to do so or special training needed. Unfortunately, many who need assisted living are without any close family or friends that could care for them. However, modern assisted living facilities(ALFs) may be the answer.

There are millions of people who are in need of assisted living all over the world because they can no longer conduct activities of daily life (ADLs) on their own. This usually refers to the elderly but can also include those with disabilities. This type of care usually means that a person resides in a facility where normal daily needs such as eating, bathing, dressing and taking medications are conducted under the supervision or with the assistance of trained professionals.

The typical resident at these facilities requires assistance with at least three of the activities of daily life. While they do not require the special care that is provided in intensive care units or nursing homes they do need some supervision. Besides that ALF's provides the people who live at them with a comfortable level of amenities and social involvement.

Usually, the female in these residences out number males by a 3 to 1 margin. The average age is 86.9 years old and their stay averages out to 28.3 years. Some have husbands, wives or significant others still living but in most cases these people are widows. These statistics are useful when deciding if a person is in true need of assisted living and what they can expect to find at these facilities.

The social environment that is kept while living in assisted living facilities is what many find the most attractive about the situation. Large areas for eating, meeting and watching TV are provided so that the population can still converse and mingle with others which helps to minimize the amount of solitude many elderly people feel. This is a huge difference from intensive care units where patients are kept bedridden and monitored throughout a majority of their days there.

And there is no need for them to worry about preparing meals or getting fed. Meals are prepared fresh, three times a day at ALFs. They are usually served in large communal dining areas for the residents to mingle and converse with friends.

The newer ALFs provide their residents with an apartment style home that is all theirs. This allows the person to retain some dignity, independence, and privacy while not having to worry about most ADLs. Bedding is changed, trash is removed and meals are provided. There are no monitoring devices to keep people in their rooms in most cases and many can enjoy a normal life but with the help they require.

Mentally ill individuals such as those with dementia and Alzheimer's may also take advantage of the services provided by Assisted Living New York facilities. Other types of people with mental needs may also qualify for residence in ALF's as long as they do not pose a danger to themselves or others.




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