Planning Ahead: Why Assisted Living Is a Great Idea for Seniors

September 12, 2017 by ·

Most of us, as we build and raise families, are admonished to think about the future. We are told to plan ahead. Plan for retirement. Plan for contingencies. Make sure our families are going to be taken care of in the event something happens to us. While some of us do put away money, get life insurance, and do other important things like that, not many will actually think about the potential need for elder care services, which can include assisted living.

Assisted Living in Chickasaw AL: Planning Ahead

Assisted Living in Chickasaw AL: Planning Ahead

Why this is so important.

As people live longer and longer, being extremely active in their 70s and 80s, sometimes well into their 90s, it means there’s going to be an increased demand for some type of elder care services. For some, assisted living can be a wonderful option.

What makes this such a great idea?

First, it provides seniors an opportunity to be surrounded by peers, men and women who share common interests, who are dealing with the same challenges, and it helps them avoid feeling isolated and alone, especially if they no longer drive and have difficulty visiting with friends or family.

Second, it provides safety. As people get older, their safety may become compromised due to diminished strength, reduced balance, and other physical challenges. With the support of staff, a quality assisted living facility can provide the physical assistance some elderly residents require, either in the morning, afternoon, or the evening.

Third, it helps encourage activity. When seniors are living at home, they may be limited in the type of activities they can enjoy. At an assisted living community, there will likely be numerous activities every elderly resident can enjoy, either by themselves or with new friends they have made since they moved in.

Why is it necessary to plan ahead?

It might be easy to assume a person can simply choose an assisted living community at the last minute, but it could be difficult to pay for it for some.

When people plan ahead, they will usually realize the cost of various services, including moving into an assisted living community. By planning ahead, an elderly person or his or her family can understand the expectations, start setting aside money, or even considering other options, including long-term care insurance. When somebody is young and healthy, it’s difficult to imagine life with so many challenges, but as people get older, their physical capabilities diminish and that increases the need for some type of support. Assisted living can certainly be one of the best to consider.

If you or an aging loved one are considering assisted living in Chickasaw, AL, contact Ashbury Manor Specialty Care and Assisted Living at 251-317-3017.

Filed Under: Assisted Living in Chickasaw AL · 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.
Google Verified Author