They say life is like a book. The beginning chapters are your early years: your birth, your childhood, and your adult years up to this point in time. Sometimes you did not have much control over those years. However, now that you are in your golden chapters, the decision is yours. What type of living works best for you? Do you want to continue living in that big house, or do you want to downsize? Looking ahead, are you able to maintain your independence and continue to function individually, or do you need some type of assistance? To answer these questions fully, you will have to look at all aspects of your current life.

When anyone first starts considering senior living or assisted living, it can be overwhelming to the family as well as the individual who is searching for the perfect assistance. There are many different stages to assisted living and many different choices available. Also, there is “senior living,” which is different from assisted living. Please also see our companion blog: What Is the Difference Between Assisted Living and Senior Living? for more information.

How to Choose an Assisted Living Situation

Once you decide that assisted living is what will work for you, the question becomes, how much assistance is required? If you or your loved one is able to continue to live on their own and just wants to downsize and make life simpler, the senior living experience in a senior living community may be the perfect option. Even if the person has a few minor health concerns where they may need assistance, they may be better off in a senior living facility with a home health aide. A home health aide is an individual who comes to a person’s home to help with bathing, cleaning, medications, and possibly cooking and other minimal tasks. The resident is still able to independently use the restroom, prepare some meals, and move about their own environment.

When an individual is no longer able to independently care for these day-to-day things, the next level of assistance may be necessary — an assisted living facility. But, even within assisted living, there are different levels of care. Life in an assisted living community or facility generally includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner for all residents in a dining room setting.

Snacks and drinks normally are available in a communal area as well. If you are residing in a room or small efficiency room in the assisted living facility, cleaning is typically included with your assisted living program so that a resident is not required to do their own cleaning. Assisted living facilities may also offer laundry services for their residents. In addition, an assisted living facility commonly offers many activities for its residents, such as the availability of a library, group exercise classes, bingo, cards, puzzles, game nights, and other entertainment options. They also often offer non-denominational religious services.

What Services Are Available in Assisted Living?

In an assisted living setting, you may also have the option to manage your own medications if you desire. Assisted living facilities also include transportation to and from medical and dental appointments. They also usually offer group trips to shopping centers and other outings, so residents have the ability to shop on their own if they choose to use that service.

If you require the next level of assistance, the facility can assist with daily medications to ensure that you or your loved one receives continuity in ensuring medications are administered accurately and on schedule. In addition, some residents may need assistance going to the restroom or bathing themselves. Assisted living facilities may help with getting the resident in and out of bed if assistance is required. Assistance with wheelchairs is also available.

Services Offered by Rocky Mountain Assisted Living

An assisted living resident may need assistance with some activities of daily living, but nothing serious enough to require full-time skilled nursing care. The following are some of the services and amenities that Rocky Mountain Assisted Living offers to its residents:

  • Staff available 24 hours a day
  • Physical therapy and exercise
  • Engaging activities (such as board games, dancing, puzzles, etc.)
  • Music classes
  • Art classes
  • Medication management
  • Dressing assistance
  • Bathing assistance
  • Ambulation assistance
  • Incontinence management
  • Laundry and linen services
  • Scheduled outings (such as movie or theater)
  • Meals and snacks
  • Nighttime checks
  • Visiting entertainers

Many assisted living facilities have private rooms with semi-private bathrooms. The individual rooms may have small kitchenettes, but meals are provided at specific times. Assisted living is a great way to live with like-minded people who are experiencing the same issues and needs at this point in their lives.

Dealing With the Costs of Assisted Living

Cost can be an important deciding factor. Make sure to add up all the costs that will be incurred for the level of care that you or your loved one needs. At Rocky Mountain Assisted Living, we offer one all-inclusive price so that costs do not prevent residents from enjoying all activities. In some instances, long-term care insurance may cover some of these expenses, but each policy is different. Make sure you sit down with your agent to ensure what your long-term policy may cover.

Rocky Mountain Assisted Living

When you are searching for the perfect residence for this next phase in life, you’ll want to make lists and do research on facilities in the area. This is an important step, and you want to be happy with your choice. Next, you should tour each facility on your list. Rocky Mountain Assisted Living offers guided tours of its facilities and will meet with you individually to answer all of your questions.

Assisted living facilities provide many amenities to their residents. For example, Rocky Mountain Assisted Living offers the following amenities:

  • 24-hour video surveillance in common areas
  • Month-to-month contracts
  • Wheelchair accessibility in all areas
  • Personal alert monitors for each person and in each bathroom
  • Quiet, established neighborhoods
  • Cable TV
  • Walk-in Jacuzzi tubs
  • 24-hour emergency call system
  • Wi-Fi

The bottom line is Rocky Mountain Assisted Living offers independence for residents but also all the benefits of living in a community. It is truly the best of both worlds. Contact us with any questions or to schedule a tour.