September 12-18, 2021 is National Assisted Living Week. This is an important reminder for all of us about the invaluable role that assisted living plays in our lives, communities, and country.
What Is Assisted Living Week?
ALW was established in 1995 by the National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL) to help spread awareness about long-term senior living options, as well as to celebrate the individuals and families that these types of programs support throughout the year.
What Is Assisted Living?
In honor of this special week-long celebration, we wanted to share a few facts and resources about assisted living.
The NCAL defines assisted living communities as facilities that provide support for individuals who may need help with daily activities, such as cooking, cleaning, dressing, bathing, taking prescribed medication, etc.
And though loved ones may not need 24-hour nursing care everyday, they are given direct access to nursing care and health care services, should they require it.
The philosophy of assisted living is built on the concept of delivering person-centered care and services to each individual resident. Person-centered care means that the care and services meet residents’ specific needs and preferences.
(NCAL)
When Should You Consider Assisted Living?
There are many reasons why you or a loved one may decide to move into an assisted living community:
Your Home Is No Longer Safe
As we get older, our needs and abilities change. If you live in a bigger home with stairs or farther away from friends and family, your home may no longer fit your daily needs or create new obstacles that affect your quality of life.
- Though we all love our homes and the thought of moving can feel stressful, it’s important to note that moving to an assisted living community can put you closer to friends, nursing care, and opportunities for more independence! To learn more, read our article on “Does Your Home Love You Back.”
You Need Support for Your Daily Needs
If you’re finding that performing chores around the house, cooking, or remembering to take your medications is becoming more difficult, it might be time to consider moving to an assisted living community.
- There’s a lot of misconception that moving to an assisted living community means giving up your privacy and independence. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Retirement communities, like Sweetwater, work to help you regain your autonomy with personalized services, activities, and support that suit your schedule.
- You get to choose how to live each day, and you can rest easy knowing that nursing care and staff support is just around the corner—whenever you need it. To learn more about this and other misconceptions about moving to a retirement community, read our article on “5 Myths about Senior Living Communities.”
Your Medical Condition Worsens
Living with a medical condition can make it difficult to stay active, socialize, and enjoy life’s special moments. In addition to providing you with physical care for your condition, an assisted living home is able to help you stay connected to the world around you.
- From group games, daily activities, and convenient amenities that are easy to walk to, you’ll have full access to a carefree senior lifestyle.
- You’ll be able to receive the support and care you need while also becoming an active member in your community.
- Mental wellness is just as important as physical health, so by moving to an assisted living home, you’ll get the best of both worlds.
To learn more, read our article “3 Ways Seniors Can Adjust to Assisted Living.”
Assisted Living at Sweetwater Retirement Communities
At Sweetwater, our assisted living apartments are designed for seniors who desire the privacy of an apartment home paired with the security of 24-hour care and service.
Featuring cozy apartments that include modern amenities and convenient access to exciting activities and programs every day, our retirement communities are located all over the country to provide better long-term senior living options.
To learn more about our assisted living apartments, and the type of activities and services you or a loved one can enjoy, contact us today!
We also invite you to schedule an in-person tour or take a virtual one of each location.