What’s the Best Age to Move into Assisted Living

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Westminster Point Pleasant

For more information about the author, click to view their website: Westminster Point Pleasant

Posted on

Jul 14, 2023

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Florida - Sarasota, Bradenton & Charlotte Counties

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Making the decision to move into assisted living is a big one. For seniors, it can be one of the biggest life changes, and the transition can be intimidating. With all of the amenities and services available in assisted living in Bradenton, Florida, seniors are opting to make the switch earlier and earlier in retirement.

This article will discuss the ideal age to move to assisted living and factors to consider when deciding on the right time to move.

Ideal Age for Assisted Living

The spectrum of assisted living communities has expanded greatly over the past decade. Today, seniors can enjoy wonderful amenities, top-quality food, and warm friendships, all just steps from their front door. 

As a general rule of thumb, seniors ages 60+ are the best candidates for assisted living, but there are always exceptions. In fact, the right time to move to assisted living is less about age and more about needs. 

When seniors begin to need help with daily activities or when living at home starts to become a challenge, it is time to consider assisted living. For some seniors, this time comes early on in retirement. For others, it may happen during the later years of life.

Deciding When to Move: Factors to Consider

There can be a lot of pressure on seniors and their families to pick the “right” time to move into assisted living. While there is no universal answer, there are some indicators that can help make the decision clear. Here are a few factors to consider when deciding on the right time to move.

Daily Needs

One of the top factors to think about when you’re considering assisted living is daily needs. When seniors begin experiencing difficulty completing daily tasks, such as cooking, grooming, or taking medication, that’s a good sign your loved one would benefit from assisted living. 

Similarly, seniors who are experiencing challenges with mobility may face difficulty in completing daily household chores and keeping up with home maintenance. Moving into assisted living at this point can relieve a lot of stress and pressure associated with living alone.

Long-Term Needs

Some seniors know they have medical conditions that will progress over time. In these situations, transitioning to assisted living at an early age can be preferable over waiting until the later years of retirement.

No one can predict the future, but if known health conditions are a factor, transitioning to assisted living may be the best course of action.

Family Support

Seniors who have lots of family support may be happy living independently for longer than seniors without support. Family members can help fill gaps and even act as caregivers for seniors as they age. When seniors cannot rely on family for support, transitioning to assisted living at an earlier age is a good idea.

Retirement Goals

Finally, seniors should consider what they want out of retirement. For many seniors, aging in place can mean a growing list of chores and home maintenance that eats into leisure time. 

If seniors value an active lifestyle that includes spending more time exploring hobbies and spending time with friends and family, transitioning to assisted living earlier rather than later can enable them to do that.

Assisted Living in Bradenton, Florida

The Bradenton assisted living options are among the best in the country. Seniors of all ages have many options for assisted living communities that can meet all of their needs and more. 

When deciding what age to move to assisted living, seniors should keep in mind that the decision is ultimately their own, and they should do what makes them feel comfortable and confident.

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Is it time for you or a loved one to think about a move to Assisted Living?Moving to a communal lifestyle is a big decision. Its hard to know if it is the right living environment for someone used to living on their own However, a few questions can help determine if Assisted Living may be the right situation, as follows:Have you or your loved one fallen in the last few months?Do you or your loved one have a complex medication regime?Has your or your loved ones health declined over the past year?Are you or your loved one struggling with your memory more than usual? Are medications being forgotten or tasks overlooked that are essential to wellbeing?Are you or your loved one still able to care for your personal hygiene?Do you or your loved one need help with other daily tasks, such as cooking, cleaning, bed making, laundry, errands, doctor appointments or even getting around the house?Are you or your loved one experiencing isolation or loneliness?If you find yourself answering "yes" more than "no" to these questions, then Assisted Living may alleviate some of these concerns. At Kavod Senior Life, Assisted Living helps residents remain as independent as possible while providing needed support.Some of the specific benefits at Kavod include:Three meals a day that provide nutrition and time to socialize with other residents in the family-like dining roomAssistance with dressing, bathing, and personal grooming, as needed.Medication management, so medications are taking on the right schedule and in the right amounts.Wellness checks throughout the day and night plus emergency pull cords and safety bracelets/pendants to increase a sense of safety for the resident and family membersSocial activities, concerts trips, and classes that are fun, engaging and keep the mind active  all included in the price of living!Housekeeping, laundry and bed makingOnsite access to comprehensive health services, such as CU Geriatric Medicine, physical & occupational therapy, podiatry, foot clinics, acupuncture, chiropractic services, dentistry and much more all available without having to leave campus, and all accept Medicaid (and other insurances).In addition to these basic services all part of the rent Kavod Senior Life offers escorting to on-campus appointments, oxygen management and incontinence care for additional fees. Even with all add on services, our Assisted Living residents pay less than $50,000/year! Moving to a care community is a life changing decision. It is important to ask questions, obtain as much information as possible, compare locations and speak to a knowledgeable representative. At Kavod Senior Life, we know how important it is to live life independently while having support for age-related challenges. We welcome any questions without obligation and will listen with empathy, compassion and honesty. Contact Kavods Leasing Coordinator, Melanie Kaye, at 720.382.7833 or MKaye@KavodSeniorLife.org for assistance and/or to schedule a tour today! Resource articles for blog:https://health.usnews.com/best-assisted-living/articles/what-is-the-best-way-to-research-assisted-living-facilitieshttps://www.forbes.com/health/senior-living/senior-living-and-healthy-aging-plans/https://www.leisurecare.com/resources/assisted-living-benefits/https://www.seniorcare.com/assisted-living/resources/what-is-assisted-living-/#:':text=Meals,with%20activities%20of%20daily%20livinghttps://aging.com/knowing-when-it-may-be-time-for-assisted-living/

A Guide to Layering for Winter

The early mornings getting longer, but it is still winter in Colorado, and our weather can change on dime.  Whether you are strolling the sidewalks or on top of Mt. Blue Sky the temperature and weather can shift dramatically.  Hence the clich, if you dont like the weather, just wait 5 minutes and the weather will change in Colorado.In case you want to know the difference between climate and weather, according to the National Ocean Service, climate is what you expect and weather is what you get.  That said, weather is what you see outside on any particular day and climate is the average of that weather.So how to do you prepare and dress for some of Colorados unpredictable weather? The simple answer is layering!! Merriam-Webster defines this term as wearing several pieces of clothing on top of one another. For Coloradoans, this can become an art in keeping warm and dry.So where do you begin to maximize the layering benefits? It is as simple as 1 2 3!Start with the basics and a thin base layer Synthetic moisture wicking fabrics like polyester or nylon can be worn as a base layer next to your skin. Wool and silk are also recommended for warmth and wicking though wool may not agree with everyone. This layer should trap in heat, be comfortable and will vary as the temperature changes. For example you might be comfortable wearing a synthetic t-shirt under a sweater in October but by November, a long sleeve base layer or turtleneck might provide that extra warmth. Remember to layer your legs with a pair of tights or thermal underwear under your pants or skirt.Add a mid-layer like a sweater that has room enough to give and trap the warmth without feeling squished or tight. If you tend to run cold around the middle, add a fleece vest over the second layer. If you know that you tend to warm up quickly but want versatility, consider a layer with a zipper or buttons that can easily open to allow the heat to escape.Finally, the thickest layer is your warmest and most protective item like your coat or jacket. Wool is always the best option for the outside layer though the trend these days are puffer coats with either down or synthetic fillers but make sure they are waterproof so you dont get cold and soggy. Now, there might even be a fourth category: Accessories!Scarves, hats and gloves or mittens are a must for the parts of the body that tend to get colder and exposed. Scarves are incredibly adaptable for adding warmth to your head, face, ears and neck and can easily become a makeshift shawl. Add a liner to your gloves or mittens to trap more warmth and protect your digits from the extreme cold temperatures. And who knew that you can also layer your hats! In fall, a light beanie might do the trick and then wear it under a thicker hat for added warmth. Even wear it when you pull up the hood of your coat more times than not, coat hoods often blow off when it is blustery.What NOT to wear in the colder months?Avoid cotton as a base layer and that includes your socks! This material is comfortable for summer but not a good option for fall and winter. Cotton is an inefficient insulator that locks in moisture like sweat which will make you feel colder and you know you dont want that. The good news -  If you are considering living at Kavod Senior Life or already a resident, there is good news you do not need to bundle up! All our buildings are connected via our bridge or first floor corridor, which makes getting from your apartment to many of our in house services such as our Health and Wellness Department, Dining Room and activities much warmer.So start thinking creatively about your wardrobe and what items you can mix and match to gain the most warming benefits. Happy layering! References:https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/weather_climate.htmlhttps://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dress%20in%20layershttps://www.landsend.com/article/layering-guide-fall-winter/https://yesmissy.com/layering-essentials-fall-winter/https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/layering-basics.htmlhttps://www.robertgoddard.co.uk/blogs/news/layering-tricks-a-guide-to-navigating-autumn-s-unpredictable-weatherhttps://sectionhiker.com/why-does-cotton-kill/

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