How Much ‘Medical Care’ Could a Senior Receive at Assisted Living?

March 29, 2022 by ·

It’s no secret that, as we age, there is a very real possibility we will need more medical care. As we move through our 60s and 70s, into our 80s, not only will we generally visit the doctor more frequently, but we may face serious health issues that seem to mount, one after another.

If you are a senior, you might be considering assisted living. It is a wonderful option, but what if you have certain medical needs that aren’t being met at home? You might have a family member, like your spouse or an adult child who lives in the area who supports you, but is that enough?

The majority of people, when they think about medical treatment for elderly men and women in a facility, think of something other than assisted living. However, depending on the individual and their specific needs, an assisted living community could be the perfect answer to the questions they keep asking.

 

Let’s say an aging senior has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.

Assisted Living Chickasaw, AL: Medical Care at Assisted Living

Assisted Living Chickasaw, AL: Medical Care at Assisted Living

Alzheimer’s is a form of dementia. While there is no cure for Alzheimer’s at the moment, there are some treatment options that can help minimize the symptoms or, at the very least, help the senior maintain a decent quality of life, at least for a while.

A memory care assisted living facility will have plenty of staff members on hand who have direct experience supporting elderly men and women with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia. While many of these staff members may not be medical professionals, they understand the intricacies of this disease, the symptoms and how they impact seniors and the people around them, and the best strategies to promote a safe and comfortable environment.

On top of that, though, the facility will also likely have nurses, either on staff or visiting regularly that can check vitals, administer medications, and perform many other medically related tasks. They will also likely have a doctor or several doctors coming to the facility or transportation services to bring residents to their offices for appointments so these aging men and women can have the best care and support in a safe and comfortable environment.

 

What is the difference between assisted living like this and other facility style care?

Comfort and quality of life are the key differences. In most assisted living communities, it is not a 24 hour a day, seven day week medical facility. There are going to be plenty of opportunities for residents to explore the grounds, go for walks, participate in various activities that might be taking place throughout the week, enjoying entertainment, visiting with friends, making new friends, enjoying a restaurant style dining facility, and much more.

Assisted living is about helping elderly men and women live on their terms, comfortably and safely. For those assisted living communities that also provide advanced medical support, it can be a great option, especially for those who are dealing with serious issues, like Alzheimer’s.

Contact the assisted living community directly and speak to an administrator to find out precisely what type and how much medical care an aging senior can receive at their facility.

If you or an aging loved one are considering a move to an Assisted Living facility near Chickasaw, AL, contact Ashbury Manor Specialty Care and Assisted Living at 251-317-3017.

Filed Under: Assisted Living · Tagged: ,
About Cindy Johnson

Ashbury Manor’s Administrator since 2008, Cindy Johnson is a long-time expert in the assisted living field. Prior to her arrival at Ashbury Manor, Cindy managed acquisitions and crisis management for existing and new larger senior care project developments for eleven years. As regional manager for an Oregon-based assisted living management company, Cindy was directly responsible for operations for five 50-65 bed assisted living facilities. As manager during the transition to new ownership, Cindy reorganized internal operations and conducted leadership training for Executive Directors. As a result of her management and expertise, one of the company’s facilities (in Ocala, Florida) received a deficiency-free survey, resulting in the lifting of a moratorium on operation.

A nurse for 36 years, senior care has always been Cindy’s passion. Desiring to work more closely with residents, Cindy became a Category II Administrator in 2005. As Ashbury Manor’s Administrator, Cindy understands the complexities associated with dementia and cognitive impairment and she has fallen in love with seniors with dementia or cognitive impairment and their families.

Cindy is Treasurer of the local “Senior Coalition” chapter. She enjoys mentoring new candidates who want to become administrators.

As a 16-bed facility, with Cindy's training and experience, our residents and their families can be sure Ashbury Manor’s carefully selected staff provides the expertise of a larger facility while maintaining the individualized personal care of a small special needs home.
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