We don’t often think about it, at least not as much as we should, but safety for elderly men and women becomes compromised with age. They don’t have to have dealt with a major medical emergency to suddenly no longer be as safe as they once were. The body changes as we get older, as almost everyone knows.
With those changes comes the demand for adjustments. What had once been easy to do (physically) for somebody in their 50s or 60s, by the time they reach 70 or 75 those tasks are more difficult. Sometimes, they become even more potentially dangerous. The risks increase with age, health issues, physical injuries, and other factors, and they exist right within our homes, the moment we step outside, or get behind the wheel or the passenger seat while somebody else’s driving.
Assisted living remains one of the best elder care options for aging men and women for whom safety may not be as good as it once was. There are many reasons why this is the case, but let’s look at a few reasons why safety may actually improve for an aging senior in your life if they give up living on their own and choose a community like one of these.
First, there is experienced staff around the clock.
Depending on the facility, there may be staff members on hand to assist residents at any time of the day or night. Some facilities may have minimal staff overnight, which means a senior may have to wait a few extra minutes if the staff is helping another resident, but for the most part, if somebody needs help getting out of bed to go to the
bathroom, for example, they can call on that assistance in most cases.
Second, it’s a clean environment.
For an elderly person for whom walking up and down the stairs or just going up and down the hall is becoming more challenging, how much more difficult will it be to run a vacuum cleaner? Sweep the floors? Or perform other basic housekeeping tasks? For this type of individual, Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), like washing the dishes,
doing the laundry, vacuuming, and so forth become more challenging. At a quality assisted living community, however, these tasks are no longer necessary. They are, essentially, done for you.
Third, there are support and safety additions throughout the facility.
Grab bars in the shower or tub surround, for example, are a valuable addition for those whose strength in their legs may not be the same as it was just a few years earlier.
There may be grab bars around the toilet, handrails in the hallway, and other safety features that most seniors will not find in their own homes.
Fourth, they’re watched over 24 hours a day.
It’s not just having access to assistance around the clock that matters, but knowing somebody is looking after you can help you feel more comfortable and reassured. For those seniors who may not be as strong and healthy as they once were, assisted living is a valuable elder care option to consider and one you may wish to discuss with
somebody you love who has reached those retirement years.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Assisted Living in Maryville, IL, or surrounding areas, please contact the caring staff at Knollwood Retirement Community today at (618) 226-5755
Offering seniors age 65 and older a wealth of amenities to retain as much independence as they are able, with support, in a home-like environment in our supportive living community.
