For many seniors, living in the home where they raised their children holds years of wonderful memories. It can be a tough decision to move into an assisted living apartment, but the right choice for lots of older Americans.
There are lots of reasons why older people move to smaller living spaces. They may not have the energy, desire or physical ability to maintain the home. It could be a financial decision if the cost of living in the home becomes too great. Another reason could be they need some help with daily activities like getting dressed or remembering to take their medications.
No matter what the reason is for moving, downsizing and making the move to an assisted living community like Evergreen Senior Living is a smart choice. And making the move before the unpleasant winter weather hits means a relaxing and enjoyable season.
Maintenance-Free Living
As summer begins to wind down, we look forward to the fall season and the inevitable arrival of winter. With these two seasons come a lot of work to prepare the home –both the yard and the physical structure. Assisted living communities eliminate many of the worries an elderly person may encounter when they live alone or with their spouse.
In the fall, raking leaves, fertilizing the lawn, trimming back plants and other trees are tasks that are time-consuming for any person. They can be especially challenging for an older person who may not have the stamina or strength to carry out these chores. Winter will bring snow to be shoveled and icy sidewalks to salt. All things that may be too much work for the elderly, and could result in an injury.
When you live in an assisted or supportive living community, there are no sidewalks to shovel. The building maintenance team takes care of clearing sidewalks and parking lots for residents and visitors. Many residents still drive and can ask for assistance to get their car cleared of ice or snow.
They will maintain the lawn and the flowers, keeping the grounds beautiful and pleasant for residents to enjoy. Residents can enjoy the falling leaves without thinking about having to rake them.
Personalized Care Services
The lessened physical chores are one benefit to an assisted living or supportive living environment. The assistance an older person will receive while living there is another reason to give this living option another look.
Assisted living and supportive living is different than independent living (see our blog about the difference here) in that there is a certain level of care and assistance being provided. Evergreen has a Wellness Team that attends to the medical needs of the residents.
Assistance with daily living activities (ADLs) is different for every person. Each resident is evaluated to determine how much help they need or want. One person may require help to remember when to take their medications, where another resident might need help getting dressed. The environment at each Evergreen community is designed to make residents feel right at home.
Live an Enriching Life
From a social angle, moving into a community like Evergreen brings with it the opportunity to participate in events, outings and activities. If you think Bingo is all that is on the schedule, you would be mistaken! Residents enjoy lunch outings, trips to the park, concerts, engaging seminars and presentations and much more! Llamas, rock bands and the famous Mr. Pat Boone are all things that have made appearances at Evergreen communities!
Seniors who live alone often become depressed because they are more isolated in the colder months. If they cannot get out on their own, they may not leave home very often, leaving them feeling more secluded. When the weather is frightfully cold, we all tend to hunker down and stay indoors.
The time to learn about assisted or supportive living (Click here if you are not sure what the difference is.) is before you really need to make the move. Visit our website and schedule a tour with the community closest to you. Don’t wait until the winter weather hits – start the process today so you can make a decision before you get snowed in.
