Senior living options can vary depending on the type of medical care they may need. Assisted living services with medical support are often reliable options for seniors needing some medical assistance. Recognizing the need for such a living situation is essential in ensuring that you or your loved one is placed in the correct facility.
Encore Communities offers assisted living services with medical support to ensure seniors receive the care they need. We’ll explore what types of medical support this includes and the benefits of receiving this type of care in a residential setting.
What is Assisted Living?
Assisted living communities are best for people who need some level of help with daily care but not as much help as a nursing home offers. [1] Residents live in their own apartments or rooms and share common areas such as dining rooms and living rooms. In this type of setting, residents can receive a wide variety of services, including help with medications, housekeeping, and personal care. Many people in assisted living communities need help with activities of daily living, such as:
- Getting dressed
- Bathing
- Grooming
- Bed transfer
- Walking
Assisted living can also provide a secure environment with plenty of social and recreational activities.
Is Assisted Living the Right Fit?
Many people are unsure whether assisted living is the right fit for them or their loved ones. If you haven’t been able to decide, ask these questions:
Do you or your loved one need more help at home?
You may have noticed that a loved one is asking for help, or you may be asking for more help yourself. Either way, this could be a sign to look into assisted living.
Do you worry about your safety or the safety of a loved one?
Assisted living provides secure environments for seniors. From the facilities themselves to safety precautions inside apartments like shower bars, assisted living is safe for seniors.
Is it challenging to maintain a home?
From maintaining the outside of a home to routine housekeeping chores, seniors may know that it is time to look at assisted living when they can no longer take care of these duties. Assisted living provides housekeeping as one of its amenities, so seniors don’t have to worry.
If you or your loved one answered yes to any of these questions, looking into assisted living services with medical support may be a good idea.
What Type of Medical Support Do Assisted Living Services Offer?
The most common types of medical support at assisted living facilities include:
- Medication management
- Health assessments
- Fall prevention and response
At Encore Communities, part of our medical support includes ongoing assessments to ensure that residents remain healthy and active. We ensure that they receive the best possible medical care by offering:
- 24/7 On-site nursing team
- Emergency call system
- Fall prevention and response
- Specialized diets
- Cognitive assessments
If you or a loved one needs skilled nursing or nursing home care, an assisted living facility is not the right fit. Those types of facilities offer full-time care by specially trained medical staff. Residents at these facilities require a higher level of medical care, either short-term or long-term.
Benefits of Medical Support at Assisted Living Facilities
Many people choose assisted living facilities for their loved ones because of the medical support they offer. Here are some of the ways residents can benefit:
Proper Medication Management
Many people may forget to take their medication or take the wrong dosage. With medical support at assisted living facilities, residents can take advantage of medication management services. This will ensure that residents take the proper medication at the right time.
Access to Care
Assisted living facilities offer easy access to healthcare on-site. This helps residents to stay healthy physically and mentally.
Peace of Mind for Family Members
Knowing there is medical support on-site gives families peace of mind. They don’t have to worry that their loved one will be alone if a medical emergency hits, especially if they are not nearby. With on-site medical support, residents get the appropriate care and will receive necessary medical attention.
Proper Nutrition
Some seniors may not receive the proper nutrition while living at home, leading to health problems. With medical support, they will know the best types of foods to eat that will support their health and follow any dietary restrictions they may have. This leads to better overall health.
Assisted Living Services with Medical Support at Encore Communities
Encore Communities offers assisted living services with medical support. We offer two communities, Clearbrook Inn and the Laurel Cove Community. Clearbrook Inn in Silverdale, WA, offers studio, one and 2-bedroom assisted living options with 24/7 medical assistance, regular wellness checks, select diets, and much more.
The Laurel Cove Community in Shoreline, WA, offers studio or 1-bedroom apartments with assisted living amenities such as meals, medication supervision, specially trained staff, and various activities. For more information on the assisted living options Encore Communities provides, call us today to schedule a visit!
Sources:
[1] https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/residential-facilities-assisted-living-and-nursing-homes
Dan is Vice President, Marketing of the Alumus family of companies. A Seattle native, he earned his BA in Humanities and Political Science at Evergreen State College. He started his career as a newspaper columnist, eventually transitioning into marketing and tech writing for Microsoft and several other startups. He later launched a successful creative agency focused on branding, digital marketing, and content production in Los Angeles, where he worked for several nursing and behavioral health clients, eventually becoming the National Marketing Director for one of them.
He has taught Vipassana mindfulness meditation and MBSR and spends whatever free time he has with his son snowboarding, hiking, and camping in the mountains.