What is Assisted Living, and When Do You Need It?
The Terraces at Bonita Springs
For more information about the author, click to view their website: The Terraces At Bonita Springs
Feb 04, 2022
Florida - Southwest
Email US
Click to Email Us
This guide will help you consider all relevant factors in your decision about whether it is time for assisted living.
What Is Assisted Living?
Assisted living communities are designed to provide personalized care services to older adults in a setting that accommodates them to live as independently as possible. Assisted living (AL) is best suited for seniors who need some assistance completing daily activities and would benefit from some aspect of an assisted living facility.
Examples of services you can expect at an assisted living facility are:
Personalized Care: Whether your family member needs memory care, medical care or management of a chronic illness, they can find quality care at an assisted living facility. They will create an individualized care plan for your loved one that will shift with their needs.
Care Coordination: Sometimes what is most stressful is not the level of care that your family member needs but the number of different health care providers that they see regularly. Often this lands on the shoulders of a loved one to manage, but with assisted living, professional caretakers will coordinate your loved ones appointments and care.
Maintenance-Free Living :In many cases, the conversation about a move to assisted living is prompted by a change in a loved ones independence. It might become more difficult for them to complete daily living tasks like cooking, driving and cleaning. At an assisted living campus, these sorts of tasks can be taken care of by caring staff.
Medication Monitoring: Nursing services at an assisted living residence include the monitoring of prescriptions. You can rest easy knowing that there are trained nurses dispensing the medication and overseeing the overall care.
Healthy, Nutritious Meals :A key component to senior living care is ensuring that proper nutrition is easily accessible to residents. A unique aspect of The Terraces at Bonita Springs is that there is a full-time dietician onsite. Your loved one can prepare their own meals in their private residence or they can enjoy meals prepared by our chef in our dining room.
Social Engagement :Often there is a certain amount of isolation that older adults begin to feel when they are no longer able to live as independently as they would like. The transition to assisted living offers them the opportunity to engage in social activities with ease. They offer a calendar of classes, events, religious services and wellness activities.
Assisted living facilities have full-time, 24-hour care available to adults who benefit from personalized care and social activities but who do not require a skilled nursing facility. For some, the transition to assisted living is a pressing need, and for others, it is simply a decision to take advantage of the higher quality of life they offer.
How Do You Know When Its Time To Move to Assisted Living?
The benefits of assisted living are clear, but for many this transition represents a loss or an acceptance of their loved ones decline. It is common for families to wait until they are at a breaking point to make the decision to move into an assisted living facility. Being proactive about this move can help you avoid caretaker burnout and poor health outcomes in your loved one.
Here are some key questions you can ask to better gauge if it is time for assisted living.
1. Can your loved one complete Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) independently?
Some care facilities will ask that you track ADLs to assess the level of independence of a prospective resident. Assisted living is appropriate for those who can perform most daily tasks on their own but may need the assistance of either a caretaker or living accommodations to complete the others.
Examples of Activities of Daily Living are:
Bathing
Dining
Dressing
Toileting
Continence
Assessing your loved ones competence in these areas is the first step. You might also evaluate their current care. Is it effective? Is it sustainable? Is it placing undue pressure on a relationship?
For example, if one of these tasks requires the supervision of another adult and this necessity is becoming a burden to the caretaker, it may be time to consider assisted living. Sometimes this transition can relieve pressure from a loved one and allow them to once again enjoy the role of daughter, son, spouse, or friend without the stress of also being a caretaker.
In addition, you may consider your loved ones demonstrated ability to complete what are often referred to as Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs). These are less basic tasks but are still essential to an independent life.
Examples of Instrumental Activities of Daily Living are:
Paying bills
Cleaning
Cooking
Driving
Socialization
The move to an assisted living residence allows for these responsibilities to be shifted to a professional caretaker. If your loved one is able to, though, they can continue to complete these Instrumental Activities of Daily Living.
2. Would your loved one benefit from more social engagement?
In some cases, seniors are still able to conduct their lives independently, but they are finding it difficult in this new stage of life to stay connected and involved in a community. The effects of this isolation cannot be overstated.
What assisted living facilities offer that are difficult to find elsewhere are built-in social engagement opportunities for their residents. At The Terraces at Bonita Springs, residents enjoy our Vitality Program offerings that emphasize and support their overall wellness and independence.
There is a calendar of events that you can be a part of to connect with others, engage in wellness activities or receive assistance with community resources.
3. Do you have a plan for long-term care?
Sometimes it is overwhelming to think about your loved ones health declining. Apart from the obvious sadness that comes with this, discussions about assisted living costs and skilled nursing are rarely pleasant ones. But the reality that your loved one will likely need even more support than assisted living at some point in their life is something you will want to consider.
Making the move toward assisted living now when your loved one can still complete some daily tasks on their own puts support in place now that will make future transitions easier. Often, your family member could even stay in the same senior living community when they are moved from one tier of care to another.
4. Is your loved ones current caretaker able to meet their needs?
So often when a family is considering assisted living for a loved one, the well-being of more than one family member is at stake. The mental and physical fatigue of caring for a loved one is real, and the hidden costs of being a family caregiver can take a toll on your health too.
It is important for caretakers especially those who are family members to have a realistic and objective plan when taking on the role of caregiver for a parent, spouse or sibling. The move to assisted living has the potential to greatly improve not only your loved ones quality of life but yours too.
5. Have you noticed any changes in your loved one?
The final consideration might be the most subjective. In many cases, full-time caretakers cannot clearly see how much their loved ones condition is worsening or how much strain it is placing on their lives.
It can be helpful to ask friends and other family members what changes they are noticing in your loved one and if they think it would benefit them to move to an assisted living facility.
Changes like sleeping more, losing interest in their hobbies or increased forgetfulness should be considered alongside any changes with their physical health. As you note these developments, you can consider the services of an assisted living facility listed above and ask yourself: How would my loved ones quality of life change with a move to assisted living?
Next Steps To Pursuing Assisted Living for Your Loved One
If you'd like more information about the benefits of assisted living, contact The Terraces at Bonita Springs. Wed love to talk about how we can serve your family.
About The Terraces at Bonita Springs
Recreation, special events, holiday celebrations, educational programs, guest speakers and a variety of inspiring activities take place throughout the year at The Terraces at Bonita Springs as part of the community's active lifestyle programs. The Terraces is the only Life Plan Community for senior living in the Bonita Springs area with services and amenities all under one roof. Living choices include independent living, assisted living, memory support, skilled nursing and rehabilitation. All levels of care, including assisted living, skilled nursing and memory support, are open for direct admittance with no entrance fee.
Other Articles You May Like
Naples Clinic Expands to Provide Free Medications for Low-Income Workers
For low-income Collier County residents who are working but uninsured, access to the medications they need is not as easy as going to a regular chain pharmacy to pick them up. Thats where the Neighborhood Health Clinics expanded non-narcotic medication room comes in, giving patients managing chronic conditions including hypertension and diabetes timely access to medications at no cost. The 1,850-square-foot medication room, located at the clinic on Goodlette-Frank Road near Central Avenue, was built at a cost of $500,000 and is named for the late Stacy Forman, a Naples philanthropist who donated funding for the expansion.Keith Maples, CEO of Neighborhood Health Clinic, said the expanded medications facility enhances the clinics ability to serve patients faster and more efficiently. On a typical day, a patient can walk in and when they walk out, theyre walking out with thousands of dollars worth of medication that, if it were outside of the Clinic, they would not be able to fill those prescriptions because it would be outside of what they could afford, Maples said. He said the expanded space, equipped with updated technology and increased storage capacity, allows for a larger inventory of non-narcotic medications that enables the Clinic to fill prescriptions immediately to minimize delays in treatment. In 2024, the Clinic distributed $6.5 million in retail value of medications thanks to partnerships with Americares, Direct Relief, Dispensary of Hope and other pharmaceutical companies. The expansion allows us to work even more with our pharmaceutical partners to basically procure all of the medications necessary for our patients, Maples said. He said that many patients arriving at the Clinic for the first time have not previously received medical care for the condition needing treatment and may have vastly elevated blood pressure or blood sugar levels, for example. When they walk through the doors, theyre at such a heightened level that were trying to bring it back to a controlled number to where its manageable for them, Maples said. If their A1Cs are through the roof, their [blood] sugars are through the roof, were trying to get them back to an established number that helps them feel better. Well never cure them of all those illnesses, but well maintain that health for them, so they feel better and have a better quality of life.Clinic grows to meet patient demand The nonprofit Neighborhood Health Clinic was established in 1999 by Dr. Bill and Nancy Lascheid to provide medical care to low-income, working but uninsured Collier County adults. Their daughter, Leslie Lascheid, now serves as president of the organization. In 2024 the clinic saw more than 12,000 patient visits and delivered more than 30,000 patient procedures, Maples said, with all medications, primary care, specialty care, surgeries and outpatient procedures provided free of charge to patients.All funding is through philanthropy, as the Clinic does not receive any city, county, state or federal funding including Medicaid or Medicare. Over the years the clinic has expanded as the patient load has increased. The original 11,000-square-foot facility more than doubled in size with the completion of the Armstrong Medical Specialties Building in 2021, which expanded the campus to 23,000 square feet. The addition of the Van Domelen Education and Wellness Building, also in 2021, took the total to its current 32,000 square feet, and when the Bill and Candy Raveis Pathology Building is completed this summer, the total campus will be at 43,000 square feet, according to Marcie Berland, the Clinics director of development. Maples said the Clinic has expanded strategically over the years to meet the medical needs of patients many of whom work in hospitality, service or construction industries in Collier County and the growing volume of patient visits. When weve expanded, we didnt do it just to do it, he said. We based it on what were the patient needs and what do we need in-house on a daily basis to deliver the care, providing the opportunity for a patient to walk in the door, get all the care they need and not have to go to another location somewhere else, or come for another appointment. Because when our patients miss days of work, thats food on the table and the roof over their heads. Its not like if I call in sick: I get a sick day and still get paid. He said the campus expansions allow most procedures including lab work to be done in-house, creating opportunities for sustainable, uninterrupted patient care. When that patient walks through the doors, I never want them to wonder where theyre going to get their care or how theyre getting to their next appointment, Maples said. Many of our patients get rides here, or they walk or ride their bikes, because very few own cars that they can drive in. And while the Clinic does have a full-time paid staff of 14 and five part-time staff, no medical professionals are paid to deliver care, Maples said. More than 250 physicians, 50 dentists, 100 nurses and 300 non-medical personnel deliver care and provide patient education on a volunteer basis.
Welcome to ONA Solutions Your Safe Space for a Fresh Start This June!
Welcome to ONA Solutions Your Safe Space for a Fresh Start This June!As summer arrives and the days grow brighter, there's no better time to find a home that supports your peace of mind and personal growth. At ONA Solutions, we offer more than just affordable housing we provide a community where women feel safe, supported, and truly at home. Why Choose ONA Solutions?At ONA, every detail is designed with your comfort and safety in mind. Whether you're settling in for a new chapter or just need a peaceful place to land, were here for you. All Utilities Included One simple monthly payment, no hidden fees. Fast, Reliable Wi-Fi Stay connected, study, work, or stream with ease. Move-In Ready Clean, fully furnished rooms so you can feel at home from day one. Women-Only Housing Feel safe and supported in a space created exclusively for women. A Community That Welcomes YouOur doors are open to women from all walks of life. Whether you're starting over, downsizing, or simply looking for a calm and secure home, ONA Solutions is here for you.We proudly welcome: Female Veterans Retirees & Seniors SSI/SSDI Recipients Students & Educators (18+) Why Now? June is the Time to BloomThis month is all about new beginnings. With our limited openings and an unbeatable $75 move-in fee, June is the perfect time to claim your spot in a space designed for care, dignity, and comfort. Lets Get You Settled!Have questions or ready to take the next step? Our friendly team is here to help. Call Us: 9 AM 3 PM: (239) 688-4815 3 PM 5 PM: (239) 785-3315 DM us anytime were happy to chat when it works for you! Stay Connected: Facebook: ONA Solutions Instagram: @onasolutionsllc2024 LinkedIn: ONA Solutions LLC Website: www.onasolutionsllc.com Find More Than a Room Find a Home Come home to comfort, connection, and community. Come home to ONA Solutions.
Beyond the Surface: Naples Cancer Advisors Spotlight Melanoma During Awareness Month
Beyond the Surface: Naples Cancer Advisors Spotlight Melanoma During Awareness MonthMay 1, 20256 Min ReadBy Jillian Hunt, CNP Executive Director of Clinical Operations at Naples Cancer AdvisorsMay is Melanoma Awareness Month, and in sun-drenched Collier and Lee Counties, its more than a calendar observance. Its a call to action. The sunny environment increases exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, which are a significant risk factor for skin cancer, including melanoma. Understanding the risks and adopting preventive measures can help residents enjoy the sun safely while minimizing their skin cancer risk.At NCA, we specialize in delivering second opinions and expert oncology guidance at no cost to patients. Our team, including nationally recognized oncologist Dr. Philip Leming, believes that no one should face a cancer diagnosis alone. This month, we want to shine a light on reshaping melanoma prevention, detection, and awarenessso you can stay protected and proactive.Prevention: A Daily Practice, Not Just a Summer ChecklistMost people know the basics: use sunscreen, avoid tanning beds, cover up when outside. But melanoma doesnt just show up where the sun shines. It can develop under your fingernails, between your toes, even on your scalp or eyes. We educate patients to look everywhere, not just the obvious spots.One powerful (and often overlooked) fact: a single blistering sunburn in childhood doubles your lifetime risk of melanoma. Thats why prevention is a family affair. We urge parents to build sun safety habits early and keep them consistent all year.Detection: A Watchful Eye is The Best ToolThe front line of defense against skin cancer is early detection. Identifying skin changes especially changes in moles is the easiest way to catch skin cancer earlier.What is a mole?A mole is a benign (non-cancerous) growth on the skin that develops when melanocytes, the cells responsible for producing pigment, cluster together instead of being evenly distributed. Moles can be present from birth or develop later in life.ABCDEs of Moles and Melanoma Detection Asymmetry: One half of the mole doesnt match the other. Border irregularity: The edges of the mole are uneven, ragged, or notched. Color variation: The mole has multiple shades of brown, black, or other colors like red, white, or blue. Diameter: The mole is larger than 6 millimeters (about the size of a pencil eraser). Evolving: The mole has changed in size, shape, or color, or has new symptoms like itching, bleeding, or crusting.The ABCDEs are a helpful tool for self-examination and can prompt individuals to seek professional medical advice if any of these signs are present.Dermatologists remain the front line in detection and diagnosis. However, emerging technologies are offering exciting backup. Artificial intelligence skin scanners and total body imaging are improving the speed and accuracy of diagnosis.Whether its through advanced tools or a trained eye, one truth remains: catching melanoma early saves lives.The NCA Difference: Compassionate, Cost-Free Cancer GuidanceNaples Cancer Advisors was founded to be a bridge for patients who feel lost, overwhelmed, or unsure where to turn after a cancer diagnosis. We offer a second set of expert eyes, help explain treatment options, connect people to top-tier providers, and support them throughout their journey.Melanoma may be aggressive, but its also highly preventable and treatable when caught early. This May, we urge everyone in our community to schedule a skin check, learn your ABCDEs (Asymmetry, Border, Color, Diameter, Evolving), and take sun safety seriously.And if you ever need clarity or support after a diagnosis, Naples Cancer Advisors is herefree, local, and fully focused on you.Jillian Hunt, CNP BioJillian has been caring for cancer patients since 2004. In that time, she has set the benchmark for her patient-centric approach in Cincinnati, Southwest Florida, and beyond.Her professional journey began at Cincinnati Childrens Hospital Medical Center in 1999 on the hematology/oncology/bone marrow transplant unit and later the emergency department.After spending five years caring for children, Jillian found her passion in caring for the adult oncology patient. Starting as a chemotherapy infusion nurse in private practice with Dr. Philip Leming at Cincinnati Hematology Oncology, she then pursued an advanced degree to offer a higher level of care to her cancer patients.Jillian has been an oncology nurse practitioner since 2011 and is passionate about patient care, education and staying current on research opportunities available for the patients she cares for.Jillian is a national speaker traveling to educate clinicians on the use and management of toxicities of medications that are used in cancer treatments. She has spoken at national nursing conferences and sits on several advisory boards. Jillian feels strongly about staying on the front lines to improve patient care and expert advice on cancer.Jillian was born and raised in Cincinnati and graduated from Lakota High School. She and her husband have five children. Outside of her love and passion for oncology, Jillian and her husband are licensed foster parents and have participated in global mission trips to serve orphaned children around the world.Naples Cancer Advisors239-846-2273 (CARE)3201 Tamiami Trail N, Suite 112, Naples, FL 34103
Local Services By This Author
OakBridge Terrace at The Terraces
Assisted Living 26475 S. Tamiami Trail, Bonita Springs, Florida, 34134Inclusive Assisted Living: Hospitality With CompassionFor those who require a helping hand with daily activities, assisted living offers the ideal balance of personalized service and independence. If youre in Southwest Florida and searching for assisted living near me, look no further than Renaissance, our resort-style Bonita Springs assisted living community. Here we help older adults live independently with access to care whenever and however they need it. Our inclusive assisted living fees cover everything, so residents can budget without any surprises.Assisted living provides residents assistance with basic activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing and medication management. It also provides a sense of comfort and peace of mind to residents and their loved ones, knowing that with this care, residents are able to focus more on enjoying life.But Renaissance delivers more of what discerning seniors and their families expect from assisted living. Unlike other assisted living facilities, our community offers luxury amenities and services, including spacious, beautifully appointed residences and delicious dining where senior assisted living residents can order from chef-prepared menus. Our community features a large fitness center, creative arts studio and crafts room, a courtyard with landscaped grounds, plus robust programming and activities that keep residents engaged, connected and thriving. Above all else, senior care staff members are always available to provide exceptional service so that residents feel safe and fulfilled.With compassionate care at our core, we work directly with residents and families to go over living options and tailor a plan that works best for them. We take into account personal needs, schedules and individual preferences to ensure each resident enjoys an enriching life with maximum independence.If a resident experiences an illness, injury, or surgery and requires rehabilitation or skilled nursing care, those services are available right here and may be covered by Medicare Part B. Residents enjoy the convenience and confidence of receiving the care they need in the community they love. Best of all, following care, they are able to return to their assisted living residence.Assisted Living Services & Amenities24-hour licensed nurses availableInclusive pricingAssistance with activities of daily livingSpacious one- and two-bedroom residences, complete with a kitchenette and full bathAll utilities and basic cable provided, except telephoneSocial and life-enrichment activitiesLarge creative arts studio and crafts roomOutdoor terraces for diningDedicated fitness centerOutdoor courtyard and beautifully landscaped groundsWell-appointed common areas, including a TV room, library, lounge areas and media roomScheduled complimentary transportation availableHigher levels of care are available at our Bonita Springs, FL, senior living community, under one roof. Assisted living residents who need skilled nursing, memory support, or rehabilitation can receive that care seamlessly without moving away from our retirement community.Browse Our Floor PlansArea AttractionsLifelong LearningVitality ProgramAssisted Living Care: Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)When is the right time for assisted living? Thats a question we frequently hear. People may be confused about the differences between independent living and assisted living. They may also think their loved one may need a nursing home. The answer is fairly straightforward. If your loved one needs support with activities of daily living (ADLs), assisted living is the right choice. What are activities of daily living? They are regular daily activities that are related mostly to personal care. They include bathing or showering, dressing, safely taking medications, getting in and out of bed or a chair, walking, and similar activities.If your loved one needs help with any of these, assisted living is a wonderful option to consider. Not only will your loved one receive the personalized assistance thats so essential to maintaining a sense of independence, but at Renaissance, an entire lifestyle is available that can add so much to your loved ones life. New friends. A rich social life. Programs and activities that add joy and meaning to every day. Access to a wide variety of amenities, such as our fitness center and walking paths. And of course, our dining services team makes sure your loved one enjoys healthy, delicious meals.Renaissance Service and AmenitiesAll residents of Renaissance, including those in assisted living, enjoy all the services and amenities offered within this inviting community, including:Direct admittance with no large entrance feeThree chef-prepared meals daily, served in a private dining roomAccess to a full continuum of on-site health care servicesMedical director and registered dietitianMedication monitoring and administrationWellness programsRehabilitative therapy servicesState-of-the-art equipment and treatment programsMove-in coordination support24-hour security and emergency call systemGated communitySprinkler system and smoke detectorsFire-rated and sound-resistant constructionEmergency power generatorsResidence and grounds maintenanceBeauty salon, barbershop and spa servicesHousekeeping, daily bed-making, and personal laundry service availableIndividually controlled heating and air conditioningIf you have questions about the cost of assisted living, or about any of our health care services, please contact us today.
OakBridge Terrace at The Terraces
Memory Care 26475 S. Tamiami Trail, Bonita Springs, Florida, 34134Memory Care in Bonita Springs, FloridaIf you are searching for memory care near me and live in southwest Florida, youve found the perfect place for you and your loved one.Located in Bonita Springs and convenient to those in Estero and North Naples, memory care at Renaissance at The Terraces offers those living with Alzheimers disease or dementia a beautiful, comfortable and welcoming place to call home. With the exceptional memory care, elegant setting and thoughtful lifestyles offered, Renaissance delivers the quality memory care experience that families expect for their loved ones.BROWSE OUR FLOOR PLANSMemory Care that Embraces the Whole FamilyFor those living with Alzheimers or other forms of dementia, (including Lewy body dementia) and for their families, the effects of memory loss can be devastating. We understand. Our exceptional care embraces everyone involved, from our residents to their families. Our trained memory care team works closely with residents every day. Our purpose is to engage each individual in a way that resonates with them personally; this approach respects their choices, promotes their remaining abilities and supports their independence in a safe environment. We also offer support and education for families, helping them to understand and cope with the challenges presented by Alzheimers and dementia. Renaissance, as well as all of The Terraces at Bonita Springs, welcomes family members to not only visit their loved ones but to also take advantage of every amenity offered within our senior living community. After all, this is where their loved one lives this is home. We welcome them to treat it as such. What does that mean to you? It means feeling at home at Renaissance. It means taking a stroll through the grounds. Soaking up the sun by the pool. This community is designed to allow everyone to live well. It means letting us provide care and support while you enjoy being family again.Personalized Alzheimers and Dementia CareWe believe theres no substitute for personalized attention. To us, memory care is only effective when it is incredibly personal, so we get personal. We take the time to get to know our residents. We learn their life stories and really get to know who they are. Through the smallest details residents interests, careers, family histories and favorite foods we can develop personalized dementia care plans and create positive emotional experiences that help stabilize residents moods without relying on pharmacology. Its an innovative approach to memory care in southwest Florida.State-of-the-Art Memory Care FacilityOur memory care facility in Renaissance is state-of-the-art, featuring a neighborhood concept that helps decrease residents anxiety, with common spaces to encourage socialization. No detail has been overlooked; no comfort has been spared. Our residents enjoy spacious private residences with nurses close by, allowing us to provide even better care. Rated 5 stars from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, families can be confident in the quality of our memory care services.Memory Care and Service Details:24-hour licensed nurses available24-hour Certified Nurses Aide assistanceRecreational therapistSecure environmentDedicated professionals specially trained to care for those with memory lossPersonalized care plan tailored to meet unique needs and preferencesSpacious, private studio residences with full private bathsAll utilities provided, including basic cableInclusive pricingMemory boxes to help residents locate their residence independentlySpacious activity and common areas designed to promote social interactionEnclosed courtyard for safe outdoor activities such as walking and family visitsInteractive and socially stimulating programming designed for those with memory loss
The Terraces at Bonita Springs
Skilled Nursing 26455 S. Tamiami Trail, Bonita Springs, Florida, 34134Your Personal Retreat for Socialization and Relaxation The Terraces at Bonita Springs offers a stunning living environment, the finest resort-style amenities and services and the security of predictable pricing for health care as a Life Care resident. Choose from a one-, two- or three-bedroom floor plan; options include breakfast nooks, dens and additional half- and full-baths. Each residence comes with the finest finishes and appliances, lacking only in your personal touches. Our hospitable associates take care of all the maintenance, cooking and cleaning so you can enjoy a vibrant and connected lifestyle.