With the increasing elderly population, some cities in the United States are developing assisted living communities that provide a variety of independent to dependent services. For instance, senior living in Baltimore has its share of helpful facilities and attractive amenities which seniors or their families can choose from. Living in these homes in Baltimore city ensure continuing care for the elderly, some of whom cannot take care anymore of themselves.
Affordability
There are a lot of options in choosing the best place for senior living. Living in Baltimore Maryland for continuing care for seniors has become affordable compared to them staying in their previous homes. For instance, seniors are now provided a home inclusive of housekeeping and maintenance. Also, healthcare has become more accessible for seniors at assisted living communities in Baltimore.
In-house caregivers in senior homes in Baltimore can provide exercise programs, personal hygiene, monitoring of illnesses, as well as administration of medications. Other services in affordable senior housing facilities such as transportation or community-organized travel may also be available for seniors. The provision of transportation has become more important today as some seniors would want to go to a place but are hesitant to seek the help of their relatives or friends.
Because some seniors have difficulty preparing food, assisted living communities in Baltimore take time to prepare a balanced diet of fresh vegetables, meat, fruits, or bread. Such meals are measured according to their needs. Also, these foods have been prepared according to their dietary needs too. For instance, seniors in senior housing who have high blood pressure or diabetes are given meals and snacks which have low salt or low sugar content. Similarly, foods are checked too for allergies. Imagine hiring a professional chef for food preparation.
A lot of events and programs are also available at an affordable senior living set up. These could be in the form of musicals or concerts, religious events, or other forms of entertainment. Some seniors are religious and seek spiritual activities. Communities that cater to seniors living in Baltimore have made spiritual activities a major consideration as such activities boost a better sense of well-being.
Seniors may also attend workshops in knitting, crocheting, sewing of bags or clothes, or the making of other art projects. These could be a good opportunity for social interaction. As a result, seniors in baltimore communities become less isolated.
Professional staff
Senior living and health care in the elderly community also include professional healthcare. Senior persons who have ailments or those who do not are assisted in their daily medications, exercise, diagnostics, or routine check-ups. More so, caregivers are trained to assess and monitor the conditions of seniors. For seniors who are forgetful, this is very crucial as a mix-up in their medication may worsen their condition. Some illnesses that are still developing may be recognized by caregivers. For example, a trained caregiver who notices that an elderly woman who drinks water more than usual may have her assessed for dehydration or diabetes. Performing on-site regular assessment may prevent a serious illness from developing.
A trained caregiver can also make appropriate referrals to physicians or therapists. This actually saves time and money for the senior. Rather than be referred to a variety of physicians as advised by family or friends, being assessed by a professional caregiver may lead to direct referrals to the correct person, significantly shortening the process.
Some elderly may miss regular checkups because of difficulty in mobility and transportation. Professional caregivers will see to it that seniors have check-ups regularly. Some medical screening is also recommended upon assessment which seniors may not know of.
Caregivers are also most aware of how to assist the elderly in their activities of daily living without straining their muscles or injuring them both. For example, seniors who start to use walkers are taught how to walk properly with their walkers. A caregiver may also spot when an elderly have pain through observation of nonverbal reactions. For instance, changes in their reactions such as a grimace, a remark, or a frown may indicate pain. This is most helpful for seniors who cannot fully express themselves anymore.
Safety
Apartment homes designed for senior housing have facilities that prioritize safety. Some of these safety features are the presence of non-skid mats in showers and the provision of light switch or flashlights near beds. Since seniors are more likely to have an unsteady gait, other safety features are installed in assisted living homes. These are more permanent and include steady handrails or chairs with armrests. As much as possible, rugs are also absent in senior communities. Rugs may cause falls and other injuries. Caregivers also see to it that walkways are free of clutter and dry to prevent slips. The rooms of the seniors must also be free from clutter and dirt. Also, furniture such as dressers, cabinets, and drawers are regularly kept closed.
Caregivers attending to the personal hygiene of the elderly may choose clothes that cannot wrap around, stick to, or stepped upon by other persons or things. Footwear must also be snug and properly secured. Because of the more frail nature of most seniors, removing all factors for injury is paramount.
Even lighting should not be too dim or not too bright. Seniors may not properly see the placement of furniture and fall. When lighting is too bright, seniors may also become temporarily blinded by it and fall.
Some bedrooms and bathrooms are also equipped with call buttons in case of emergencies. When call buttons are activated, a caregiver promptly attends to the senior. Seniors are also regularly visited. The caregiver is also trained to attend to different medical emergencies requiring immediate intervention.
Amenities
Nearby amenities such as parks, mini-forests, gardens, shopping centers, museums, or movie theaters are abundant in most states such as in Maryland. For instance, Sherwood Gardens in Maryland is open to the public year-round. Also, Towson in Maryland has at least three parks and also a lake. Less than an hour away, living communities in Baltimore which provide senior housing may also visit scenic parks and marinas.
Some seniors prefer to walk in parks and gardens. Most seniors are relaxed when they see greenery. Gardens tend to bring out positive vibes and make a person calmer. Aside from boosting your mood, plants may also improve concentration.
When visiting a museum, most seniors will likely appreciate displays and art that is all the rage during their youth. This may bring back nostalgia and happy memories. Further, art displayed in museums may inspire seniors to also do their own kind of art. The skies are the limit in art as shown by one of the more famous ones, Grandma Moses, who began painting at 78 years old. Making art makes the mind busy and the hands engaged. It also helps the mind focus and concentrates on the task in hand. Whatever the result may be, whether finished or not, creating art boosts the self-worth of a person.
Independence
All seniors still have their rights, despite any state of mind. For this reason, treating them like humans must be foremost in the mind of any person. For those elderly who have begun to be forgetful, processes to reinforce memories may help retention. For example, letting seniors do whatever they can without any assistance not only improves memory but also provides the senior with a sense of accomplishment, improving overall self-worth.
When seniors finish their tasks, they are more likely to do other things on their own which in turn, exercises their mind.
The activities of daily living are dependent upon the cognitive, motor, and sensory ability of the senior. In the case of seniors with failing memories, reinforcing activities that seniors can independently perform plus medication may actually slow down the degenerating mind.
Tighter-knit community
When persons share similar activities and traits, they are more likely to seek each other’s company. Activities with other seniors are an opportunity to make new friends. This may prevent depression which is common with seniors. Also, constant conversations with friends in the community may strengthen brain function. Further, some activities that encourage physical activity to seniors who can tolerate movement, are encouraged too. Physical activities strengthen muscles and lead to increased blood flow.
Such is true with the situations of seniors. Some seniors share the same age. Preferences in music or movies may be similar. At first, some seniors may think that they are not likely to develop bonds with other persons upon transferring to assisted living communities. However, being with persons who share similar interests improves communication skills, recall, and even mood.
Family caregivers may need extra help. There are nearby assisted living communities that family members can search online. In some cases, having a family member be taken care of by experts may prove to be most helpful. It is better to visit living options where your loved ones will be staying for you to inquire about their services. Considering a nearby amenity where your senior family member is interested in is also helpful. Ask your senior family member if she or he likes the place too. The benefits of living in an assisted community are many and may just about lead to an improved quality of life.
