In Northern Virgina, assisted living communities such as Spring Hills in Alexandria, The Village at Orchard Ridge in Winchester, Sunrise Assisted Living's Braddock Glen in Fairfax and Chesterbrook Residences in Falls Church can help a senior citizen maintain an independent lifestyle. While assistance is provided with daily care, it is not the same level of care as in a nursing home. Assisted living facilities can range from one apartment-type building to a neighborhood with apartment buildings and small cottages surrounding recreational buildings.
Senior living communities provide activities and amenities to seniors so they can continue healthy and vibrant lives. Assisted living in general is for older adults, and not all facilities will offer services to younger adults who may be mentally challenged, disabled or otherwise needing care. It is best to check with each facility to find out whether it has an age requirement or is suited to care for people who may have other needs. Chesterbrook, for example, requires a minimum age of 63 to be eligible to reside there.
Keeping Social
Socializing is as important in later years as any other stage of life. Having friendships and support can help ease your mind, entertain you and keep you from being lonely.
According to a 2008 study published in the the "American Journal of Public Health," socializing had a significant effect on decreasing memory loss. Residing in an assisted living community provides ample opportunities for socializing with others.
Sunrise's Braddock Glen, for example. hosts daily learning, social and spiritual activities as well as group trips and resident-sponsored clubs. Spring Hills has a yearly calendar with special events listed.
Healthy Eating
At assisted living facilities, nutritious meals are served daily for residents, prepared by chefs and kitchen assistants. As a resident, you can be sure you're being served foods in all the major food groups, that are healthy and beneficial to maintaining energy and balance in the body. Additionally, drinks and snacks are available throughout the day to keep you hydrated and your blood sugar regulated. Advice and suggestions are also available from staff on diet and nutrition.
Since apartments within the facilities are equipped with at least partial kitchens, residents may have the facilities to prepare their own meals. Nutritional staff on site can help with preparing meals and diet plans. At Chesterbrook, the main chef on campus posts recipes on the website for residents to follow.
Recreational Activities
Cultural and entertaining recreational activities are available for you to maintain an active, social and healthy lifestyle. Some activities organized at Spring Hills and Chesterbrook include music concerts, social gatherings like family night, wine and cheese tastings, bingo, health fairs, game nights, road trips and excursions, clubs, dancing and walking in the gardens. You can enjoy these activities with friends and family members who reside at the community, or invite outside friends or family to join. At Orchard Ridge, near the Shenandoah Valley, golf outings, hiking and boating are planned regularly.
Staying Fit
Assisted living facilities also provide opportunities to stay fit. Keeping your body healthy and fit as you age reduces your risk of disease and keeps your bones and muscles stronger. Participating in exercise classes is also another way to make friends.
At Spring Hills, you can participate in the EnhanceFitness program classes. The classes are run by a certified instructor and provide participants with a warm up, aerobic activity, strength training, stretching, balance exercises and a cool down. Chesterbrook also offers daily exercise classes such as sittercise, yoga, and swimming. Sittercise is an exercise program for people confined to a wheelchair or have a hard time standing. The exercises are performed in a chair.
Health Care
Assisted living facilities provide some form of health care to residents. Care providers make sure that you receive regular wellness checks -- either through an on-site wellness center or transportation to your personal physician. Not all facilities have an on-site wellness center. If needed, daily medication administration is provided and each facility has nursing and nursing assistant staff on site. Health care is individualized to meet the needs of each resident, and accommodations are made accordingly.
References
- Spring Hills Senior Communities: Mount Vernon
- Chesterbrook Residences
- "American Journal of Public Health": The Effects of Social Integration on Preserving Memory Function in a Nationally Representative US Elderly Population
- Department of Health and Human Services: Eldercare - Assisted Living Facts
- Sunrise Assisted Living: Braddock Glen
- The Village at Orchard Ridge
