Assisted living offers many benefits

Many seniors express the desire to stay in their home and age in place. However, when a senior or their loved one experiences limitations due to diminishing abilities, illness or injury, challenging questions about safety and quality of life must be answered. Many times, family members struggle to admit a change in a loved one, and often a decision to move will be delayed or avoided due to powerful emotions surrounding the disruption of a loved one’s norm, comforts, and privacy within their home.

As a professional in the senior living field for many years, I have often questioned why a loved one would choose a home environment versus an assisted living community. I have discovered that people are unaware of the many benefits an assisted living community provides to a senior.

It is not uncommon to hear, “You promised me I wouldn’t be put in a nursing home.” People tend to believe that nursing homes are the only option for seniors or that an assisted living community is a form of nursing home. Nothing could be further from the truth. Assisted living provides safety, quality of life, and a home-like environment while offering several benefits that aren’t always available to aging adults who remain in their homes.

Safety is usually the number one reason a loved one will choose assisted living. Seniors can be vulnerable to several threats within the home such as falls or mismanagement of medication. At Concordia Assisted Living, our residents live in a safe environment while receiving the personal assistance and care they need. Ane Burke, our Assisted Living Administrator, has been with Concordia for 18 years and makes it her mission to provide excellent service. “We are a family,” she says. Anyone who has ever sat down with Ane quickly discovers her love for both her residents and care staff. She spends time with the family and resident to discover their needs and develops a personalized care plan based on those needs. A senior may need help getting dressed and beautified for the day, taking a shower without falling, or medication reminders. No matter the need, there is always a staff member to care for them 24/7. Unlike most assisted living communities, Concordia is an all-inclusive community, and there are no hidden costs or levels of care. Ane continues by adding, “If a resident is alone or a family member can’t take them to a doctor appointment, we happily go with them.”

The second reason a loved one will choose an assisted living community is for the socialization. I cannot overemphasize how important it is for a senior to remain social. Many seniors are isolated at home. Surrounding yourself with other people helps keep you mentally, physically, and emotionally fit. Concordia provides this socialization through mealtimes and an array of activities including events, entertainment, and outings. Ane adds, “Concordia offers scheduled transportation, and we have many drivers who would be happy to take you wherever you need to go, including the VA hospital in Fayetteville.”

I have highlighted a few reasons why a move from your home to assisted living is so crucial. However, the most important reason residents thrive in our community is love. Many of our staff members have been with Concordia for over ten years and have a passion for seniors. Yes, we are a smaller community, but that allows us to pay close attention to our residents’ needs and to love on them like family. Ane expresses, “It is important for my residents to feel loved and valued. We love listening to their stories, wisdom, and life history. You never know what amazing things you could learn!”

If you are struggling with the decision of moving to an assisted living community or want to see what makes Concordia such a special place, please don’t hesitate to call us for a tour.