Maintain Independence With Assisted Living: How To Help Your Parent

Table of contents

• Why is it important for seniors to maintain independence?
• How to maintain independence with assisted living
• Tips for making assisted living feel like home
• How Verona Court helps maintain independence with assisted living

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Many seniors place a high value on their independence. After all, they may have spent decades working, paying bills, raising a family, and maintaining a home. To feel like you may lose that due to age can be crushing.

As a result, they may be reluctant to explore other housing options even when it becomes clear that living at home is no longer safe or enjoyable. 

Your senior parent may worry that the only other option to living in their own home is a nursing home. However, this is far from the case. 

It may sound contradictory, but an assisted living home may allow your parent to live more freely than if they were on their own. Here are some ways to help your parent maintain independence with assisted living.

Why is it important for seniors to maintain independence?

Independence is key to maintaining your sense of self. This is the feeling that you are a person whose thoughts and emotions matter rather than an object that gets moved about.

Feeling like they still have some independence provides confidence that your parent can meet the challenges of aging. Seniors feel more satisfied and less like life has been taken out of their control.

It’s not just related to your parent’s mental health. Feeling independent can affect their physical health as well. Some of the health benefits for seniors of maintaining a sense of independence include:

• Feeling like they can still contribute to their family or society
• Being in better physical health due to staying active
• Feeling a sense of purpose that can ward off dementia
• Retaining cognitive and memory skills
• Staving off depression

How to maintain independence with assisted living

Assisted living is a residential and social setting where your parent can receive as much or as little support as they need. It pairs independence with professional caregiver aid to help your parent maintain their personal best.

Seniors receive assistance tailored to their individual needs and wishes. They also have a community of other seniors to interact with. Some of the ways your parent can maintain independence with assisted living are listed below.

Personal care assistance 

Depending on your parent’s limitations, they may need assistance with personal hygiene. Caregivers are available 24/7 to help your parent in and out of the shower, get dressed, or use the toilet as needed. Being able to stay clean and groomed as they wish will keep your parent feeling confident and fresh.

Medication management

Keeping track of multiple medications and doctor’s appointments can get tricky as you get older. Assisted living homes offer regular onsite visits from experienced registered nurses to ensure safety and quality of care. 

Caregivers make sure each patient’s medication is taken correctly, at the proper time, and at the correct dosage. They may also be responsible for refilling the client’s prescriptions and keeping them secure within the home if needed.

Peer interaction

With increasing age and illness, some seniors begin to feel isolated. This can have a negative effect on both their physical and mental health. Having an active social life is vital to your parent’s mental health and well-being. 

Assisted living provides a community of peers for your parent to interact with. Additionally, many offer inviting areas for residents to socialize and scheduled activities that your parent can choose from based on their individual preferences.

Safety

Assisted living homes are purposefully designed with seniors in mind. They include amenities that make it easier for seniors to get around safely. These include accessible doorways and bathrooms, security systems, and fire safety equipment. Staff is also available 24/7 should your parent need assistance.

No home maintenance 

Maintaining a home can be time-consuming and possibly unsafe for a senior. It also takes a large bite out of their budget. Moving to an assisted living home can free your parent from these tasks. This allows them to enjoy their golden years rather than worry about completing yard work or paying for a plumber. 

Balanced meals 

Seniors who live alone or no longer cook may find it hard to make healthy meals regularly. They may resort to skipping meals or relying on packaged or fast food. They may also lose interest in meals when dining alone. 

Assisted living will provide your parent with three nutritious, home-cooked meals daily. Additionally, a home-like dining room allows your parent to socialize with other residents and caregivers during meals.

Tips for making assisted living feel like home

In assisted living, your parent can personalize their home space so that their new home reflects who they are.

To help your parent feel independent and at home in their new surroundings, you can also:

• Encourage your parent to keep up with their hobbies or interests
• Help them to personalize their space with photos, artwork, or small furnishings
• Encourage them to try out new activities that are available
• Help them keep in touch with family and friends

You can also motivate your parent to get to know the staff taking care of them. In turn, your parent can also let the caregiving staff know about their routines and preferences. This helps the staff provide the best care possible and makes the assisted living home feel more like a family home.

How Verona Court helps maintain independence with assisted living

The term “assisted living” can refer to multiple different types of facilities. 

Many people might think of large complexes owned by national chains. Your parent might be well cared for, but these facilities don’t offer as much of a personal touch. The complex might feel like a facility instead of a home.

In contrast, Verona Court is a small, independently-owned residential care facility for the elderly. Unlike large assisted living facilities, Verona Court homes are smaller. This allows for care that is more intimate and personalized.

Verona Court residences are actual homes located in upscale Orange County neighborhoods. Residency is intentionally capped at a maximum occupancy of 6 residents per home, with a 3:1 resident-to-caregiver ratio. This provides a strong sense of community between caregivers and residents.

Through Parentis Health, Verona Court homes can also provide home health, transportation, and hospice services. If your parent’s circumstances change, Parentis Health’s Continuity of Care model ensures that the quality of care is never compromised, extending access to appropriate health care services.Contact us today and let us help your senior parent maintain independence with assisted living.