Exploring the Safety Benefits of Assisted Living

A slip and fall can be dangerous even for the healthiest young people. One out of four people over 65 fall yearly, but less than half tell their doctors.

Daily activities are often harder than they used to be for older adults. Your loved ones find it harder to shop, bathe, or even move around their Cambridge, Ohio home.

You may find yourself exploring the safety benefits of assisted living for a loved one who's still healing from a fall. Feeling safe is important when someone -- especially older adults -- lives alone.

Below is a helpful breakdown of the safety benefits of assisted living communities. This guide will tell you what you need to know about the security this long term care option provides.

Medication Management

Medication management helps residents with taking medicines. This may seem easy for residents to do alone. However, many have chronic illnesses or need many medications.

Taking medication can be difficult due to memory issues, dietary restrictions, or other complications. Caregivers can't prescribe but can schedule and organize medications and administer proper dosages.

Medication management can lower missed or improper doses, severely affecting healing or chronic conditions. You can rest easy knowing your parents have professionals looking out for their health and well-being.

Access to Healthcare Services

Your parents will not only have aid with managing medications -- they'll have access to other healthcare services. Cardinal Place has a 24-hour nurse on hand to give clinical oversite.

Clinical oversite means they can assess a patient according to their health history and find an appropriate care plan. They can also coordinate care with the patient's regular doctor.

Cardinal Place can coordinate physical, speech, and occupational therapy for residents. Although our community is a practical long-term care option, we offer respite care.

Respite care, if you don't know, is a short-term stay for residents recovering from hospitalization or surgery. Caregivers needing a break may want to discuss respite care with their loved ones.

There's nothing wrong with needing a break to recharge yourself. There's no problem with a change in scenery either. Respite care can make living together easier for caregivers and their loved ones.

Fall Prevention and Home Safety Measures

We've discussed how falls are dangerous and can lead to severe injuries. An Assisted living community lowers fall risks without hampering your parent's independent movement.

Communal areas are well-lit with spacious, uncluttered pathways. Hallways have grab rails to assist residents' mobility. Showers have grab bars and anti-slip flooring.

Furniture, like beds, are modified to minimize falls. For example, some are lower to the floor. Others have raised edges. Residents are also encouraged to keep personal items within reach.

Cardinal Place, Ohio's apartments also have wide, illuminated entryways. There are smoke detectors in case of fires, electrical or otherwise. Sprinklers are installed in buildings throughout the community.

There are cameras to prevent intruders and help find wandering residents. Community centers have monitoring for communal areas, apartments, and those in memory care.

Transportation Services

The number of drivers over 65 increased from 9,102 in 2021 to 9,547 in 2022. There were somewhere between 7,971 to 9,547 deaths due to traffic and non-traffic accidents.

That's not to say older adults can't drive, but they're likelier to get into accidents. Transport services benefit residents with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia.

Older drivers may not have the same reflexes to avoid accidents and they may not remember regular routes. Cardinal Place, Ohio provides transportation to get your loved one to and from their destinations.

They can rely on us to get them to their scheduled doctor's appointments and community trips. Our transportation services will keep your parents feeling safe while on the road.

Phycological Benefits

Mental and emotional health is important to living a happy and fulfilled life. Many older adults suffer from anxiety and depression. This is due to health complications and a lack of access to specific services.

Loneliness is a factor in many older people's mental and emotional decline. Part of choosing the right assisted living facility is ensuring they promote socializing.

Daily activities, like book clubs, and game nights help residents get to know each other. Assisted living centers schedule community events and outings.

These gatherings allow your loved ones to make new friends and see new surroundings. There are many other daily activities to keep residents occupied and cognitively healthy.

Assisted living communities offer art classes, lectures, workshops, and more for mental engagement. Consistent community safety practices are also helpful.

Not only because they keep residents safe, but because they help borders feel protected. Predictability creates a feeling of security, which is vital for mental and emotional health.

A Communal and Supportive Environment

We've said that loneliness is a huge factor in many older adults' cognitive decline. Activities, events, and classes can mitigate this, but so can simply being around others.

One of the most beneficial parts of assisted living is your loved ones can be around people who share their likes and hobbies. Their neighbors can help them fit into the community more quickly.

They'll have a support system in place tailor-made to accommodate their needs. They can have their independent movement with help always around the corner.

You'll do everything to keep your parents safe, but you can't always be there -- sometimes you need help. That's why you're exploring the benefits of assisted living, and you want your loved ones to be safe and secure.