What is Included in Assisted Living Care?

As you are looking for senior care solutions for yourself or your loved one, you’ve probably come such terms as residential care homes, adult group homes or sheltered housing. But in essence, all of them refer to the same type of service—assisted living. Assisted living is very different from a nursing home and provides different types of care. Let’s take a quick look at what types of care you may expect to receive in a typical Maryland assisted living facility, so that you can decide whether it’s the right solution for you or your loved one.

Nutritional Care

Cooking food for yourself can be tiring and even frustrating at any age. And as we get older, our appetite often dwindles down and the desire to cook (and sometimes to eat) slowly disappears. Meanwhile, receiving nutrients, vitamins and minerals from food is crucial at the old age when bones are more brittle and the immune system is not as strong. As a part of assisted living care, residents typically receive at least 3 home-cooked meals a day, which they can enjoy in the common dining area. Food allergies and special diets can also be accommodated—just make sure to list all food restrictions on the intake form.

Personal Care

Something as simple as zipping up a dress on the back can turn into a half-hour ordeal when you are old and not as flexible anymore. Assisted living facilities have trained personnel that can help you or your loved one with all sorts of personal care, including bathing, going to the bathroom, dressing or trimming nails.

Housekeeping

One of the big benefits of living in an assisted living facility is that you never have to worry about housekeeping or home maintenance. The facility’s staff will wash the floors, wipe the dust, do the laundry and clean up any mess for you. You or your loved one have done enough chores in your lifetime—it’s time to take a break!

Access to Medical Care

The major difference between a nursing home and an assisted living facility is the fact that the latter doesn’t provide 24/7 medical care. In a nursing home, you have nurses monitoring you around the clock, administering medications, taking vitals, etc. In an assisted living facility, you simply have access to nurses, dentists, doctors, physical therapy and other medical care, but these professionals are not on staff. So if you need a dental checkup, the facility will make arrangements for you to either travel to a dentist or bring a dentist to you. If you need medications, the facility will pick them up for you, so you don’t have to go anywhere.

Overnight Care

Unfortunately, as we get older, sleep isn’t getting any better. Aches, pains and incontinence issues often keep us up at night and may require help during the night hours. Many assisted living facilities in Maryland offer awake overnight care, which means someone is always up at night, ready to provide assistance at the first call. Not all facilities have this, so be sure to ask.

Health and Wellness Programs

Staying active is the key to feeling young and staying healthy. Many people assume that in an assisted living facility everyone is on bed rest or watching TV all day, but that’s not true at all. Many facilities have health and wellness programs that include group exercise sessions, games and other social and physical activities to keep both the body and the mind sharp.

As you can see, assisted living facilities provide most types of care an elderly person may need. The only exception is active medical care—if you think your loved one requires constant medical attention, a nursing home may be a better option for them. Assisted living facilities encourage independence and privacy, so the care your loved one will received is custom-tailored to their abilities and disabilities.

Want to learn more about Kenwood Care assisted living? Feel free to contact us to schedule a visit to one of our facilities in Laurel, Fulton or Dayton.