Quality of life is important no matter the age, but it can change as we go through different stages of our lives. It means something different to different people, but many senior loved ones see it as having freedom, independence and continuing emotional connections with friends and peers as they age. The benefits of senior living can extend beyond this, with these residences and facilities improving quality of life in different ways.
They Help Decrease Anxiety
Many senior loved ones live alone as their children may have left home and their peers may not be available. Doing so leads to isolation, which can lead to stress, depression and anxiety. Anxiety is especially common as seniors wonder what would happen if they require help if they fall, need to go shopping or need to see a doctor.
Many seniors live with such anxieties because they do not want to seem like a bother to their loved ones. The problem with this is that their anxiety grows and becomes debilitating over time. This issue is even worse for loved ones who may have dementia and not know it. This condition can trigger anxiety-related behaviours.
Senior living gives your loved one peace of mind in knowing they can get the help they need when they need it. They also get to spend time with their peers, a key component in dealing with isolation and anxiety.
Increased Social Connections
Loss of social connections goes hand in hand with the isolation we have discussed above. Senior living is not just about living close to other people, but also fostering new relationships and friendships. Senior living facilities and care homes actively encourage interactions through different activities and encouragement to pursue new and old hobbies.
By providing so many opportunities for interactions and connections, these facilities help seniors find people they can click with. These increased social connections can have a profound effect on their quality of life.
Help with Memory and Cognitive Decline
Cognitive and memory issues like dementia can have a detrimental effect on a loved one’s quality of life. These conditions can even put your loved one in danger, especially if they wander or get lost in familiar places. Finding a good care home for them is critical to ensuring they remain safe and get the help they need. Facilities like St. Peters House Care home, which you can get in touch with at Stpetersbury.com, have professional and caring teams trained to provide the care and assistance your loved one needs.
Ensuring Your Loved One Receives a Balanced Diet
A common issue with loved ones who live alone is their diet. Some seniors forget to go shopping for groceries or to cook. Some forget to eat once they have cooked, with medical conditions like dysphagia also making eating more difficult. Lastly, some have diets that do not fulfil their nutritional needs.
All these things are reasons why malnutrition is so prevalent and such a concern among seniors. Senior living facilities and care homes ensure seniors eat a balanced diet that fulfils their needs. All their meals are prepared by professional staff who also cater to different dietary needs and restrictions for seniors.
Opportunities for an Active Lifestyle
An active lifestyle, whether through exercise or other activities, is incredibly important for a healthy life. However, ageing can make maintaining an active lifestyle much harder. This has serious health consequences which are much more pronounced in seniors.
There are many reasons why activity declines as we age, including not feeling safe walking alone or mobility issues. Offering a wide range of activities, senior living facilities and care homes ensure your loved one lives an active life. They make doing so fun and engaging so your loved one is even more compelled to join.
Transportation
Many individuals remain safe drivers as they age while others find it difficult to do so as they age, so they require assistance with various tasks. While this service is not provided by all senior living facilities and might be an extra charge, it is an important one for seniors who want to participate in life outside their residence.
They can get a driver to take them shopping, for medical appointments and anywhere else they wish to go. Such transportation options can also give you peace of mind knowing your loved one is no longer driving but instead relying on a skilled and professional driver.
Learning Opportunities
Seniors learn new skills all the time. A study by Harvard showed that researching and learning new skills makes people happier and healthier and can reduce the risk of cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s. Senior living facilities provide seniors with numerous opportunities to learn something new, whether that is using technology or picking up a new hobby. The social learning aspect of the courses provided can also make it more fun to participate in and much easier to pick up the skills being taught.
Maintaining Their Independence
No one wants to lose their independence, with some seniors saying it is one of the worst things that could happen to them. Fortunately, senior living facilities and residences allow seniors to maintain their independence. They provide them with single or shared housing options and the independence to live as they wish.
While it might not seem like an ideal choice for some, senior living has lots of benefits, a major one being an improvement in quality of life. These facilities do so in different ways, with your loved one being better because of it.