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Spring Activities that are Memory Care Assisted Living Friendly – Ashland, NE

March 21, 2021/in Blog/by Oxbow Author

It is important to manage the time spent in memory care assisted living in Ashland, NE, and everywhere, to make it a more enjoyable and comfy residence.

During the spring season, seniors must be able to find an interesting activity suitable for their ability. Here are some of the spring activities that are memory care assisted living friendly.

Spring activities for seniors

Sporting events

- An action-packed way for seniors to reconnect with one of their favorite pastimes is to attend a professional baseball game or a soccer game of a grandchild.

Fishing trip

- This activity is quite a suitable way to enjoy the outdoors even with mobility problems. Accessible fishing locations should be made available in your area where you can bring your loved one for a short trip to go fishing.

Tour a nearby location

- Some local sights can be a great venue for touring. You can take a boat trip or an RV to visit nearby locations to feast your eyes on some interesting sites near the memory care assisted living.

Fun beside the pool

- Others would want to enjoy low-impact water aerobics, while some would like to put a foot in the pool. If the senior is able and willing to spend some time by the pool, it will be fun to incorporate it with physical routines.

Stroll around

- Strolling can be a good way to enjoy the outdoors. A few short walks alone or with a walker or wheelchair will do the trick.

Attend community events

- Parades and fireworks often go together when attending community events. There are also many outdoor musical performances, car shows, and art shows that can make it more fun and enjoyable.

Feed the birds

- As soon as the birds begin to chirp, you will know that spring has finally arrived. That said, it also means that they wanted to be fed. Perhaps feeding them through a bird feeder can help seniors enjoy the outdoors in a more comfortable way.

Light gardening

- One of the great forms of exercise is gardening, as it can reduce the stress and improve the overall endurance and strength.

Spring cleaning

- If you want to get rid of the clutter in your memory care assisted living, doing some spring-cleaning activity is perfect. You may also want some help with one of your children or grandchildren, while sharing precious memories.

Importance of spring activities

There are a few ways to enjoy the warmer weather that comes with spring. However, just a simple appreciation of the outdoors and the sun can be a celebration that can bring a new sense of purpose to life.

If you think that your senior loved one deserves in-home care for seniors, you are actually doing him or her a favor. That is because older adults need quality care to enable them to live happier, healthier lives at a home environment.

So, don’t let Mother Nature have fun and enjoy the outdoors all alone. You can join her outside and start the springtime activities in a memory care assisted living today!

Looking for a trustworthy Memory Care Assisted Living facility in Ashland, NE? Click here to view our community page and learn what Ox Bow Living is all about!

Oxbow Living offers Assisted Living & Memory Care out of Nebraska and to the Surrounding Cities: Ashland, South Bend, Greenwood, Murdock, Elmwood, Ithaca, Mead

The Evolution of Facilities for Alzheimer’s in America

February 17, 2021/in Blog/by Oxbow Author

There are a lot of assisted living facilities for Alzheimer’s that exist all over the U.S. nowadays. The National Survey of Residential Care Facilities stated that there are more than 31,000. With that said, there are almost a million seniors living in these facilities.

Brief history of assisted living facilities

Evidence that senior care homes should be reevaluated began to rise in the 1970s. Seniors during that time only had 2 options when they needed care. This involved hiring of a medical professional such as visiting the nurse or a family caregiver to provide on-call assistance and entering a nursing home.

However, getting admitted to a nursing home is not what most senior would wish for particularly with rumors of mistreatment in these facilities. In fact, more seniors were able to age only in their homes amid the growth of advances in medicine.

Dr. Keren Brown Wilson, the founder of the modern concept of assisting living, is responsible for having examined the negative connotations of nursing homes in the mid-1970s. These include the lack of privacy and the use of communal bathrooms.

Wilson was able to conceptualize a way for seniors to remain respected and independent while being able to receive the required level of care they need. In 1981, the Park Place in Portland, Oregon became the first modern assisted living facility known today.

The facility offered residents the private rooms with doors that locked, community areas for social interaction, and 24-hour staffing in the event of medical emergencies.

The evolution of assisted living facilities for Alzheimer’s

There was a notable shift in senior housing that started in 1979-1985. This initiated the shift in the service capacity and consumer-centered care model. More distinguishable kinds of assisted living communities were created in 1986-1993. These include health care, housing, hospitality, and hybrid living communities.

By 1994-2000, this quality of care became the ideal prototype for assisted living facilities with influence from Wall street. Moreover, the eruption of chronic illnesses, exploding boomer market, and longer lifespans, calls for a need of growth. Assisted living facilities are re-examining and reorganizing its standards to fit the evolving needs of senior populations.

Senior living facilities nowadays

For people who want to age independently and safely, assisted living facilities are a perfect option these days. Assisted living, defined by the Assisted Living Federation of America, is long-term care combining health care, housing, and support services.

Assisted living facilities are here for seniors who can live independently, but are finding themselves needing extra help with daily activities.

However, the terms used to describe assisted living have also evolved. For instance, seniors are not patients but residents. Private rooms or suites are now a normalcy in assisted living facilities instead of assigned beds.

Assisted living communities, such as facilities for Alzheimer’s, are among the fastest growing care options for seniors. Home-like settings are also available for seniors, which include all levels of assistance, from minimal care to more intensive option.

Looking for a reliable assisted living facility for your loved one with Alzheimer’s? Click here to be redirected to our memory care page and see why Oxbow Living is the perfect choice for you.

Oxbow Living offers Assisted Living & Memory Care out of Nebraska and to the Surrounding Cities: Ashland, South Bend, Greenwood, Murdock, Elmwood, Ithaca, Mead

Plants That Will Bring Light and Life into Assisted Living Facilities

January 10, 2021/in Blog/by Oxbow Author

Do you have a loved one in assisted living facilities? If so, we have the perfect gift guide that will help brainstorm some fun ideas to bring light and life into your loved one’s home.

The Gift of Life

Plants offer a variety of environmental and emotional benefits to those around them and can often thrive in indoor settings. That said, here are some of the plant varieties you can gift seniors in assisted living facilities.

African violet

The constant blooming flowers of African violets can really make you happy. Even during the winter these plants can thrive when placed in a south facing windowsill.

A little maintenance goes a long way. It is key to avoid getting the leaves when watering the plants to avoid leaf spotting, and before watering, allow the soil to dry out completely.

Aloe vera

Aside from being quite easy to maintain, aloe vera plants have natural healing properties. This plant is perfect for anyone lacking a green thumb but craving some greenery in their life.

Have a bad sunburn? Pick off one of the aloe leaves, slice it open and use the insides to rub generously on the skin for some cooling relief!

The most important thing to remember is to keep watering to a minimum, which for many is the best maintenance match. Forget to water regularly? Perfect! The Aloe plant does not need that kind of attention.

Amazon elephant ear

Tropical plants such as the Amazon elephant ear have huge heart-shaped leaves. Such plants need a warm and humid environment; However, are best keep away from direct sunlight.

Not in a humid environment? Mist the plant leaves when watering to mimic the humidity of the jungle.

Peace lily

This plant can add unique beauty to an indoor environment with its dark green leaves and white curvy blooms. It loves to grow in a warm and humid environment but not in direct sunlight. Just keep the soil moist most of the time and you’re good to go!

Spider plant

This plant is often used as a hanging plant and works as a natural air purifier.

It can help minimize indoor pollution and prefers bright to medium light and evenly moist soil.

Benefits of indoor plants

Even the most successful companies in the world are considering incorporating indoor plants, courtyard landscaping, and vertical gardening in their office designs.

Why?

Indoor plants help relieve stress
They help replenish attention capacity
Can double as friends
Will often serve as mood boosters or stabilizers

Seniors living in assisted living facilities can also take advantage of the benefits that indoor plants can provide all around.

Plants make people feel better
Decrease the risk of dementia
Caring for plants is an accomplishment
Connecting with nature keeps people calm

How to help seniors maintain indoor gardening

Starting a garden can be daunting for seniors in assisted living facilities without yard space. Fortunately, plants mostly need little sunlight and many can thrive indoors.

Ensure that plants are accessible
Choose different types of plants
Consider the needs of your loved ones
Stay away from harmful or poisonous plants
Choose plants that your loved one likes to nurture
Have fun by making the experience creative and enjoyable

Overall, plants are an excellent present that do not require too much of your energy to survive, unlike pets. The gift of plants can help your loved one feel needed again, without adding to stress levels.

Have a loved one who needs plant-friendly assisted living? Click here to be directed to our floor plan page that will fill you in on all we have to offer!

Oxbow Living offers Assisted Living & Memory Care out of Nebraska and to the Surrounding Cities: Ashland, South Bend, Greenwood, Murdock, Elmwood, Ithaca, Mead

The Early Signs of Alzheimer’s: Is it time to start looking into Facilities for Alzheimer’s

December 15, 2020/in Blog/by Oxbow Author

It is important to note that a person suffering from memory loss can be exhibiting symptoms of Alzheimer’s or dementia. Part of this is the decline in memory, as well as thinking and reasoning skills. Indicating the time to start looking for facilities for Alzheimer’s can be difficult.

If you are keen to know the early symptoms of this disease, here are a few warning signs. These often serve as the first clues when evaluating for Alzheimer’s or related conditions.

Early Signs of Alzheimer’s

Short-term memory loss

When a person is suffering from Alzheimer’s, the area of the brain that stores memory of recent events can be affected. Occasional memory lapses are normal. But if you notice recent timelines becoming frequently harder for them to recall, it might be their short-term memory.

Difficulty to make decisions, planning, or solving problems

The person can have trouble with abstract thinking leading to the following reactions.

Struggling to develop and follow plans
Trouble in multitasking
Feeling less motivated
Looking less organized

Difficulty doing familiar tasks

One of the things that often show as an early symptom of Alzheimer’s is the difficulty of doing simple or everyday tasks. Eventually, people suffering from Alzheimer’s forget how to do basic activities of daily living, including taking a bath or getting dressed.

Difficulty in sleeping

A person with Alzheimer’s can have difficulty sleeping. They may wake up several times during the night or take excessive naps during the day. Changes in sleep patterns are not conclusive but worth noting when seen with other early signs.

Changes in personality

Mood changes should also be considered if you suspect a loved one is showing signs of Alzheimer’s. They may seem anxious, confused, depressed, or irritable at any time.

Getting easily upset in new or different situations is also a sign that a parent or loved one is experiencing symptoms of the disease. They may also lack the drive and motivation.

Dealing with patients who have Alzheimer’s

It can be devastating and overwhelming to deal with an Alzheimer’s diagnosis. Preparing for potential changes in the future can ease some of the stress. Learning more about the disease and getting support from others will create a more seamless transition.

This includes preparing for memory care facilities for Alzheimer’s. These are specialized care for seniors with Alzheimer’s disease, and other forms of memory loss like dementia.

Early detection is key

If you notice signs in yourself or another person, it will be hard to know exactly what to do. It might even be harder to discuss these changes with others. The best first step is to address significant health concerns with a doctor.

You simply can’t ignore warning signs of Alzheimer’s. Detecting them early means early treatment, which is almost always a good step.

Senior living facilities for Alzheimer’s offer specialized care for you or your elderly loved ones. If you are interested in seeing what we have to offer at Oxbow Living, click here

Oxbow Living offers Assisted Living & Memory Care out of Nebraska and to the Surrounding Cities: Ashland, South Bend, Greenwood, Murdock, Elmwood, Ithaca, Mead

Things to Consider when Choosing an Assisted Living Home Plan

November 15, 2020/in Blog/by Oxbow Author

Lifestyle change is inevitable particularly if you are getting older. As you think about enjoying your retirement to the fullest, there are also other factors to consider if you want to settle in a senior living community. An assisted living home plan should come with main considerations as it should fit your independent living needs and any special conditions, and should give you that comfortable, relaxing, and convenient way of living in your new home.

What to look for in assisted living home plans

The Kitchen

Assisted living communities do not require residents to cook for themselves as meal plans are available. But, if cooking is your passion and you may want to prepare your meals occasionally, small kitchen space for you might be enough.

Other senior living home communities also have a communal kitchen where residents can enjoy.

The Storage

When doing tours to assisted living communities nearby or in other states where you want to eventually retire, inspect the storage layout and how much storage is available.

Look at the room’s capacity if it will allow you to add a storage space once you move in. Although you will have to downsize and bring with you few important items, having ample storage is still important to keep everything in place.

The Entertainment Space

Look for a senior living community that has ample space to entertain family and guests. The senior apartment’s floor plan must also give you enough space so you can move freely and comfortably. This part of your retirement home must not interfere with your mobility.

Your Furniture

You might have accumulated furniture that you want to bring with you upon relocation. Determine if the furniture you are using and will be using will fit when you move into your new home.

Most senior homes are smaller than regular homes, so too much furniture or putting big sized furniture makes space feel a lot smaller. Always look for senior homes with assisted living home plans that work for you.

The Lay-out of the Entire Community

Consider a senior home community that offers a beautiful and spacious communal area for socializing. Whether you choose to stay in a single apartment or a private studio, you still need to go out for some fresh air or meet new friends in the community.

If possible, it would be ideal to pick a community for retirement with outdoor space for some leisurely walk or enjoy the company of a new found friend in the community.

There are some senior homes and apartments with a private patio where residents can enjoy quiet moments without stepping out from the comfort of their private spaces.

Finding the right retirement or senior home for you can be daunting. Although these above-mentioned assisted living home plans and features seem too basic, but these all make the difference when you will move into your new place soon. This new important phase in your life is something that you must prepare for.

Curious what assisted living home plans we have to offer? Click here to be redirected to our floor plans!

Oxbow Living offers Assisted Living & Memory Care out of Nebraska and to the Surrounding Cities: Ashland, South Bend, Greenwood, Murdock, Elmwood, Ithaca, Mead

Steps Nursing Homes Can Take to improve Residency life After COVID-19

October 20, 2020/in Blog/by Oxbow Author

The COVID-19 pandemic created enormous health and economic chaos across the globe. It has claimed millions of lives worldwide and almost a hundred thousand lives from nursing homes in the United States.

The impact of COVID-19 is felt in retirement homes and assisted care facilities where residents are most vulnerable. With the presence of the Coronavirus, this has exposed more problems and issues that have been around before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Possible Steps to be Taken Moving Forward:

Improving Family Involvement in Residents Care Plan

In most cases, nursing homes determine the care that the resident will receive. However, the resident and their family have the right to participate in developing the resident’s care plan.

A personalized care plan to address individual needs is necessary to assure each resident receives the best possible care. Every care plan must be written and prepared by a doctor, nursing home members, a registered nurse, and the resident’s family member or legal representative.

Spending extra time on each care plan and adding in key measures on what to do if an epidemic or pandemic takes place during the residents stay can ensure future success and ease some stress that comes with a public health crises such as COVID-19.

More 24-hour Caretakers Onsite

Understaffing can be caused by several inside and outside factors. It is crucial for nursing homes to make sure they’re able to provide the necessary number of caretakers so that scheduling conflicts and gaps of workers don’t create larger issues. The shortage of staff leads to poor quality of life for the residents. Not having enough staff means longer working hours for those on duty which contributes to work fatigue that can lead to higher risks of work errors.

Along with improving the quality of care that residents receive in retirement homes or nursing care facilities, they must implement strategies and changes to improve the working environment as well as their wages based on the basic labor standards.

Providing each staff member with Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) and keeping these kinds of tools on site at all times will also help better prepare workers for any form of in the moment public health crises.

Eliminate Discrimination

Then there’s the discrimination on a resident’s Medicaid eligibility because of Medicaid’s low pay rates. Many care facilities will give substandard care services to Medicaid beneficiaries. To fix this matter and provide equal quality medical care for every resident, Medicaid discrimination would have to be eradicated.

Another way to up the quality of the resident’s medical care access would be to bring physicians on site. Currently most facilities don’t have physicians on site which means residents need to be brought to hospitals or Emergency departments for treatment and medication. Trips to hospitals can agitate residents for they are not familiar with the people and the environment. Also, transferring elderly residents to hospitals increases the risk of various types of infections.

Although some physicians do drop-in visits, it is still beneficial to have a doctor or nurse practitioner on site 24/7 to provide assessments. This lessens the residents’ stress and exposure to diseases and infection, especially in times of crisis like COVID-19.

While these recent times have been trying for the entire world, nursing homes across the world, and especially within the US, have been working tirelessly to improve the quality of life and safety for residents and workers alike. Improvements in practices and procedures will inevitably continue to come to living facilities as COVI-19 continues to change the world we live in.

Oxbow Living offers Assisted Living & Memory Care out of Nebraska and to the Surrounding Cities: Ashland, South Bend, Greenwood, Murdock, Elmwood, Ithaca, Mead

Caring for Someone with Alzheimer’s

September 11, 2020/in Blog/by Oxbow Author

More often than not, the primary caregiver of people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease might be a loved one, an adult child, a spouse, or a close companion. Caregiving at some point can be extremely demanding, even in the early stages of the condition.

Therefore, caregiving needs flexible and understanding people to deal with changes in the behavior and personality of their loved one.

At the same time, they must be able to communicate with family and friends, as well as professionals about his or her illness. That is why facilities for Alzheimer’s offer the best care for your loved one.

Caring for People with Alzheimer’s

It can be equally a stressful and demanding ordeal to care for someone with Alzheimer’s disease. If you are a caregiver or if someone you know is, it is essential to know that they too have human needs and emotions.

This means that they also must care for themselves aside from their loved ones. Thus, in order to cope with the strain of caregiving, you must allow yourself to feel different emotions, such as negative feelings, as well as express them and deal with them. This makes a caregiver working at facilities for Alzheimer’s even more challenging.

Caregiver Emotions

Anger. This emotion can be transformed into positive energy. Thus, you can clean a closet, talk with someone, or take a walk.
Frustration. Stop anything that you are doing and take a deep breath, then start to do a different activity.
Take time out. Sit in your favorite chair inside a quiet room, spend a few hours with friends, or take a trip to the store.
Ask for help. If you are looking for resource services, find out more from family, friends, or local agencies. In this case, it is good to know some clergy and doctors’ offices offer referrals.
Identify your limits. Since you are a valuable person, you need to take care of yourself as well.
Make mistakes. Mistakes will help you learn since nobody is perfect.
Grieve. It is natural to be sad over the loss of anything that used to be.
Hope. It is good to know that tomorrow is another opportunity to make it go smoother. Perhaps a new friend may reach out for you or new treatments will be discovered.
Laugh and love. It is always important to have meaningful connections.

Challenges of Caring For Alzheimer’s

Fatigue and exhaustion
Loneliness and isolation
Overwhelming emotions due to the decrease of a loved one’s capabilities
Work and financial complications

Rewards of Alzheimer’s Care

Attachment with the patient will deepen through care, companionship, and service
Skills in problem-solving and relationship will improve
New relationships will be formed through support groups
Development of unexpected rewards through acceptance and compassion

Tips to Care for Patients with Alzheimer’s

Prepare for future challenges, reduce frustration, and foster reasonable expectations
Develop a personal support plan by balancing your task of caring for a cognitively-impaired adult with your other responsibilities
Cope with changes in communication, including trouble finding words and increased hand gestures, among others
Develop daily routines to help caregiving run smoothly
Deal with problem behaviors and personality changes properly
Make time to reflect to make it easier to accept what is happening to your loved one.

You can help a family member caring for someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia at facilities for Alzheimer’s by offering your time to help out and support them.

Oxbow Living offers Assisted Living & Memory Care out of Nebraska and to the Surrounding Cities: Ashland, South Bend, Greenwood, Murdock, Elmwood, Ithaca, Mead

Understanding the Person-Centered Approach to Memory Care

August 19, 2020/in Blog/by Oxbow Author

Memory care is one of the most important areas of healthcare today, especially with the growing elderly population. As a memory care facilitator, it’s very important to understand the different needs of residents and how to address them properly to ensure the best quality of life for them. In the late 1980s, Professor Thomas Kitwood of the Unversity of Bradford in the United Kingdom developed the person-centered approach in healthcare. This method has the goal of offering care that’s specific to a person’s needs, uniqueness, and preferences instead of taking the more general approach of care based on a disease and its signs and symptoms.

With person-centered care, the memory care facilitator acknowledges the presence of the disease, but it doesn’t focus on that diagnosis alone. Rather, this approach sees a person beyond his medical condition.

The benefits of person-centered care

More than the physical effects of dementia, it is the emotional and psychological toll that takes up the most burden for the elderly with this medical condition.

But person-centered care ensures that an individual still gets to enjoy the best quality of life even when dealing with the devastating effects of dementia. This method guarantees that:

An individual will be treated with the highest dignity and respect even with their medical condition.
A memory care facilitator will take the time to understand an individual’s medical history, lifestyle, personal preferences, culture, beliefs, and even their hobbies and interests.
The patient is offered the best opportunities to engage in meaningful conversations and build strong relationships with other people.
The healthcare team will look at the situation from the patient’s point of view considering the things that they’re going through because of their condition.
The individual is still able to explore new horizons and do the things that they love.
The patient will be able to enjoy an excellent quality of life with the help of their carers, family members, and peers.

The most important aspects of person-centered care

Being diagnosed with dementia leaves a huge impact on a person’s life. Person-centered care focuses on the following points in caring for patients with dementia:

A deep understanding of the challenging behaviors for patients with dementia to allow a memory care facilitator to communicate their needs effectively and to avoid any unmet needs.
Empowering the caregiver with the information about a patient’s personal beliefs, current health status, relationships, and personal interests to make sure that they are given the best quality of care that’s specific to their needs.
Giving the patient the opportunity to be as independent as possible while providing them with the assistance that they need when they need them.

Person-centered care offers a new and better approach to helping patients suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

By understanding the specific needs of a patient, they are not only offered the best quality of care possible, but they are also given the opportunity to still enjoy the things that they love and not letting their medical condition define the rest of their life.

Oxbow Living offers Assisted Living & Memory Care out of Nebraska and to the Surrounding Cities: Ashland, South Bend, Greenwood, Murdock, Elmwood, Ithaca, Mead

The Most Important Facts and Statistics About Nursing Homes

July 1, 2020/in Blog/by Oxbow Author

Nursing homes are needed now more than ever. With the American elderly population predicted to reach a staggering 94.7 million by 2060, there has been an increasing interest in nursing homes and how they function. To get started, here are some of the most important facts and statistics about these assisted living communities:

How many people live in nursing homes?

According to Dr. Tanya Gure, the section chief of geriatrics and associate professor in internal medicine at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, “there are about 1.4 to 1.5 million people living in nursing homes.”

Of this number, 33.8% are 85-94 years old, 26.4% are 75-84 years old, 16.5% are 65-74 years old, 15.5% are younger than 75 years old and 7.8% are 95 years old and older. As of 2016, there are 15,600 nursing homes in the country with more than 1.7 million licensed beds.

What are the most common needs of these residents?

A good chunk of seniors living in nursing homes typically need assistance with activities of daily living (ADL) like preparing meals and eating, bathing, getting dressed, going to the toilet, moving around the community or traveling to other locations, managing their medications.

Some residents may still be capable of these ADLs but are at higher risks for falls, wandering, and other safety issues because of underlying medical conditions. Still, others need quick and easy access to medical care when they need them.

What are the common medical conditions of nursing home residents?

One of the main goals of nursing homes is to offer assistance to seniors who have difficulty or limitations with independent living because of their medical conditions. Most of these residents are suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, diabetes, arthritis, amputations, and eye diseases. But contrary to popular belief, a lot of these residents are still healthy and independent. They just need a safe place to live where they can fully enjoy life without any worries about daily chores.

In fact, almost 20% of these residents have no impairment with their ADLs, 15% have significant cognitive impairment that requires assistance with ADLs, 7% only have mild cognitive impairment and 1% have little or no cognitive impairment at all.

What are the costs of sending a loved one to a nursing home?

Another common concern among seniors and family members is the cost of moving into a nursing home. In 2018, the median price for a private room costa around $8,300 per month.

Alaska, Connecticut, and Hawaii have the highest average daily cost for a private nursing home that costs $907, $452, and $449 respectively. Louisiana, Missouri, and Oklahoma, on the other hand, have the lowest rates at $182, $182, and $174 respectively.

Although living in nursing homes is not cheap, they are also worth the cost considering that seniors get to live the best quality of life in a safe, secure, and loving community where they don’t have to worry about anything anymore and just live their life to the fullest.

Oxbow Living offers Assisted Living & Memory Care out of Nebraska and to the Surrounding Cities: Ashland, South Bend, Greenwood, Murdock, Elmwood, Ithaca, Mead

5 Ways a Senior Living Center Promotes Safety and Well-Being to Residents

June 29, 2020/in Blog/by Oxbow Author

As you prepare to send your loved one to a senior living center, you can’t help but worry if they’re going to get the same quality of life that they’re enjoying in your own home. You are not alone in this because it’s a common sentiment among a lot of family members.

But one of the primary goals of any senior living center is to promote the well-being and safety of its residents through these five ways:

Consistent intellectual stimulation

The elderly should never stop learning and every senior living center makes sure that its residents are offered consistent opportunities for intellectual stimulation.

It could be online courses, reading sessions, games, and other ways for them to learn something new and keep their memories sharp for a longer time.

Social interaction

Residents of senior living centers are encouraged to socialize and interact with their peers. Since loneliness due to separation anxiety is a common problem among seniors, it’s very important for them to maintain social interaction, especially since it can lead to depression and even early death according to a study by the University of Chicago.

Physical activities

A research study conducted by Johns Hopkins University revealed that seniors who are physically active tend to live longer than those who are not.

This is why exercise is one of the primary activities for senior living centers where residents can attend tai-chi or Zumba classes or work with a personal trainer in keeping themselves fit and active while making sure that they don’t incur any injuries.

Adequate nutrition

Of course, proper nutrition is very important for seniors, especially those with existing medical conditions. At a senior living center, residents are served their meals so they don’t need to cook.

Nutritionists also take into account the special dietary needs or food restrictions of residents to make sure that they get adequate nutrition every day.

Stress-free lifestyle

Most family members choose to send their loved one to a senior living center to give him a more relaxed lifestyle where he never needs to worry about cooking his meals, cleaning the house and thinking about utility bills.

Senior living communities offer residents these conveniences so they can fully enjoy the rest of their lives without any stress or worries.

Finally, there’s always the matter of safety where seniors are more prone to accidents and are more vulnerable for break-ins, all of which are eliminated when they live in a senior living center.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), fall is the leading cause of injury in seniors, but this can be prevented with the right precautions implemented in a senior home. Residents are also prepared in case of a disaster and there is on-call staff to make sure that any medical emergencies are attended to right away.

If you’re still on the fence about sending your loved one to a senior living center, you can put your worries to rest because he will surely be given the best care possible.

Oxbow Living offers Assisted Living & Memory Care out of Nebraska and to the Surrounding Cities: Ashland, South Bend, Greenwood, Murdock, Elmwood, Ithaca, Mead