Perhaps one of the most difficult things we have to do in our lives is face the inevitable occurrence of aging. Although it happens to everyone, watching our parents, grandparents and others age is a difficult thing. Many times, when they become too weak to do things on their own, the family is forced with the decision of placing them in an assisted living facility to ease our minds. Most are reluctant to go.
Deciding on an ALF
The most difficult part of placing a loved one in an assisted living facility or ALF, is getting them to agree to go. You must stress that they will have total control over their lives and that the home is going to serve as having someone there with them at all times. Resistance will most likely persist and that is normal. No one wants to lose their home.
Once the decision has been made, be sure to investigate the potential ALFs and view their records to determine if they are competent. This article will focus on ALFs located in and around Rochester, NY.
Independent Living ALFs
Independent living ALFs such as Atria offers seniors what they call "independent" living and rates consistently as one of the top ALFs in the Rochester area. Your loved one will live on grounds, in his own apartment and receive care such as medication dispension and cleaning of their rooms, which are one bedroom, locked apartments. An ideal situation for seniors who are lonely and looking to be around others.
Exercise is imperative for seniors and independent living sites offer different types of activities to stimulate not only the body but the mind as well.
For non-ambulatory seniors, sites like Atria offer assisted living in the best way they can by including it within the "independent" living category. These seniors have the same apartment, locked door, but are visited with medications, helped to get dressed, be taken to appointments, fed, or whatever else their need may be. This demoralizes the senior as little as possible and is commendable in that it provides a sense of autonomy for residents.
Quality of ALF
Aside from exercise and proper diet, longtermcarelink.net states that an ALF that is kept clean and allows seniors to bring with them their own furniture offers the best scenario.The site urges family members not to be fooled by aesthetically pleasing sites that do not have proper accommodations such as a bathroom that is too small for a wheelchair.
All ALFs offer activities, not all allow resident's to offer their own suggestions and desires. Seniors function at different levels and the activities director within the site should be aware and create and run programs accordingly. Rochester has several ALFs available that excel in this field.
Psychological Stimulation
The Alzheimer's Association for Quality Residential Care stresses throughout their guide that the importance of psychological stimulation cannot be underrated. An ALF that understands this offers residents social activities such as dances, themed dinners, book clubs, and different classes that allow seniors to learn and use their minds.
Classes such as cooking that engage your loved one into participating in a group activity have proven to keep seniors from getting bored and depressed. Not all residents, however, want to participate in activities and classes and may require your support and suggestions. Insuring they are not sitting by themselves all day long is the key. Stay active by visiting and phoning on a regular basis.
Rochester ALFs
Not all the ALFs of the Rochester area are listed in this article. The highly rated Rochester ALFs are mentioned in the resources section of this article. Not everyone has the insurance coverage or money to stay in a highly rated ALF. When researching and visiting individual ALFs, review their activities, menus, speak to the director. Be aware of residents roaming the halls confused, or if there is a strong smell of waste throughout the site.
Follow your intuition, talk to people and above all, educate yourself on the assisted living reality.
