Navigating Assisted Living with Disabilities: Tips for Seniors and Family

Navigating assisted living with disabilities requires careful planning and consideration to ensure the safety, comfort, and well-being of seniors with disabilities and their caregivers.

Planning Tips For Seniors With Disabilities

Anyone who is looking for an assisted living facility is entering a new chapter in life. Assisted living is meant to make things easier for you! Take stock of your current abilities, limitations, and preferences. Consider factors like mobility, medical needs, social interactions, and personal preferences when choosing an assisted living facility.

Research Senior Living Homes: Look for assisted living homes that are equipped to handle your specific needs. Consider factors such as accessibility, specialized care, medical services, and available amenities. If you are not great with research, get a family member to help.
Visit The Homes: Schedule visits to the places that you're interested in. This will give you a firsthand look at the living conditions, staff interactions, and overall atmosphere. Pay attention to the cleanliness, safety measures, and how staff members interact with residents. Are the rooms and hallways easy to navigate with disabilities?
Evaluate Services: Ensure that the home staff offers the services you need, such as assistance with daily activities, medication management, mobility support, and incontinence management.
Amenities: Learn about amenities offered, such as shopping trips, laundry services, and nutritious menus. There are many essential parts of the day that may bring you comfort – make sure that they exist.
Social Activities: Are there social and recreational activities offered by the facility? Engaging in social activities can promote mental and emotional well-being. It can also help you connect with other residents.
Transition Plan: If you're moving from your own home, work with the staff and family to create a transition plan. This may involve modifying your living space, transferring medical records, and working with caregivers.

For Family and Caregivers

Many people who are going into assisted living find it challenging at first. Your loved one may worry about losing their independence. Loved ones can make a big difference in how seniors transition to this chapter of life. There is never too much visiting or too many phone calls when it comes to checking in with your loved ones.

Help your loved one – but don’t take over. Any new home should have their best interests at heart, but they should also approve of it.

Here are some other ways to help people with disabilities transition to assisted living:

Understand Their Needs: Take time to understand their specific needs and preferences. Your loved one has tools and routines that they’ll want to be able to continue to use in some way. They may need help with certain activities of daily living, such as brushing their hair or getting dressed.
Research and Visit Together: Research homes thoroughly and schedule visits to assess their services and amenities. Pay attention to staff qualifications, resident interactions, safety protocols, and available services. How do residents who live with disabilities plan their day?
Financial Planning: Does your loved one have enough in their budget to stay at the facility? Determine the costs associated with assisted living, including fees for care services, accommodations, and amenities. Develop a budget that accounts for these expenses.
Communication: Maintain open and regular communication with the facility staff. Always voice concerns and speak up for your loved ones' needs.
Personalization: Work to help make the new living situation more of a home. You can modify living space for accessibility for disabilities and incorporate familiar belongings such as framed photos.
Emotional Support: Moving to an assisted living facility can be emotionally challenging for the senior. Offer emotional support throughout the transition process and stay involved in their daily life.
Regular Visits: Plan regular visits, interact with staff, and address any concerns or issues promptly. Take time to stay for dinner and plan fun activities on the weekends.

Evaluating The Options for Assisted Living

Ultimately, an assisted living home should offer community, physical support, emotional support, healthy meals, and enriching activities. Your loved one deserves to be as independent as possible but may also need guided activities or time for hobbies. Disabilities shouldn’t get in the way of activities and the facility you choose should be inclusive for people who are disabled.

Learn about the day-to-day activities in the home, as well as how special occasions are observed in the community. Are there certain days when your loved one can get their hair done or go on a group trip to a farmer’s market? Are there activities included for people with disabilities?

Navigating assisted living with disabilities requires careful planning, research, and collaboration. By focusing on the individual's needs, preferences, and safety, you can ensure a smooth transition and a positive living experience.

Learn More About Present Moments Senior Living

Nestled within the breathtaking Sunrise Vista region, our secure and intimate community boasts stunning views. Our residences cater to individuals and couples aged 65 and above, seeking a moderate level of assisted care in day-to-day activities. To discover further details about our facilities, recreational options, and more, please reach out at (442) 232-2824.