Elder Care Advice : 3 Types of Elderly Care You Should Focus On

Assisted living centers are a popular choice for providing good quality elderly care but if you are looking to make the most out life in these new surroundings then there are a number of different options that are well worth considering.

Food and Dining Options

They range and quality of the meals that are being offered are a very important aspect of assisted living and you always check to see some sample menus and ask what extra facilities are offered when it comes to dining options. A good facility would be where there is a kitchenette in the room which is stocked with basic provisions as part of the service provided. There should be the option to either have a meal in the restaurant or have it delivered to the apartment or room, and most good facilities will also take into account dietary requirements and build a menu that is personalized to individual needs.
Look out for additional services that are often free of any extra charge such as supper clubs where special themed menus are offered and it is a great opportunity for socializing as well.

Health and Wellbeing

There are numerous activities that can maintain the health and wellbeing of the residents and some assisted living centers are run rather like a small village with a wide range of activities and services on offer to residents. The type of facilities to look out for are a wellness spa and gym, a swimming pool, arts and crafts rooms, hair salon, treatment rooms and also a Jacuzzi or steam room and sauna. Obviously not everyone will perhaps be well enough to partake in all of these activities, but the wider choice that is available to residents, will enhance their overall perception of the quality of living at the center.
The staff at the center should be able liaise with the medical team on hand to evaluate the suitability of the activities for each individual resident and will probably even devise a plan with the assistance of therapists that will help each person to get the most benefit and enjoyment out of their chosen pursuits.

Social activities

A good assisted living facility will often offer a wide and diverse range of social activities. The care industry in general has woken up to the fact that people today want more fulfilling lives and they no longer rely on what they call in the trade the 3 B’s , which were the mainstays of an activity program, namely bingo, bible and birthdays. You will often find now that modern technology is used as part of regular daily activities and many places use games such as Nintendo Wii Sports with bowling and dancing as popular games. The controllers are easy to operate and residents have a lot of fun and even organize group tournaments to get everyone involved.
In addition to regular leisure activities, a good number of centers now incorporate holistic activities such as Tai Chi and Yoga to their weekly program. Tai Chi involves gentle stretching, improves balance and also relieves stress, and the reason for the growth in popularity is that it can be done by almost anyone, irrespective of their level of physical ability or functionality.

There are so many extra options available to make life at an assisted living center as enjoyable and fun as possible, so make sure you check out what is on offer.