Sometimes, there is some resistance from an older adult regarding a move to a senior living community. While there are certainly valid reasons for not moving, there are also a lot of benefits to living in a senior community.
Even if a person is willing or wants to move to a senior living community, circumstances may prevent it. There are fewer restrictions outside of age around independent living. Still, there are certain qualifications one must meet for an assisted living arrangement.
This article explores what assisted living is and who generally qualifies for it. Additionally, we’ll discuss a couple significant things that could prevent an individual from being able to live in an assisted living community.
What Is Assisted Living?
As the name implies, assisted living is a senior living arrangement where the aging adult receives assistance in their daily lives. This is a form of retirement living that typically includes several benefits and amenities, just like an independent living community.
Some common assisted living services a senior can expect are:
- Medication management or reminders
- Help with daily activities like eating, bathing, or housework
- Access to support staff 24/7
- Security
- Some limited medical care
Who Qualifies for Assisted Living?
Put simply, most people who need assistance on a daily basis qualify for assisted living. But we’ll look at a few situations where that may not be the case below.
The purpose of assisted living is to enable seniors to maintain as much of their independence as safely possible for their particular situation.
When an aging adult has no issues in their daily activities, independent living is likely a suitable arrangement. But assisted living is the next step when daily activities become unsafe or too complicated to perform alone.
In addition to getting assistance with daily activities like taking medication, bathing, getting dressed, and getting around, seniors living in an assisted living community will typically have a customized plan for care that ensures all their needs are being met.
Who Doesn’t Qualify for Assisted Living?
As mentioned, some circumstances may prevent a senior from qualifying for living in an assisted living community. Keep in mind that these aren’t all automatic “no’s” because some communities are equipped to deal with the potential complications we’re discussing below.
Severe Memory Issues
Memory issues are common in older adults. For this example, we’re not talking about minor forgetfulness because that wouldn’t necessarily disqualify a senior. Severe memory impairment would be dealing with dementia or having Alzheimer’s disease.
These types of things typically require 24/7 care, especially in the later stages of development. The staff of an assisted living community usually aren’t trained or equipped to deal with the unique issues of cognitive decline.
There is a type of senior care that specializes in caring for those with these particular needs; it’s called memory care. An aging adult usually still has access to some great amenities they would expect in an independent or assisted living community as they do in memory care. But extra things are involved, like increased security and supervision or 24/7 medical care.
Extensive or Complicated Medical Needs
Some health problems are typically expected in any senior community. But the staff of most of these communities isn’t trained or equipped to deal with severe or complicated medical needs.
Some examples of complex medical needs are:
- Tracheostomies
- Serious infections requiring intensive care
- Gastronomy care
- Palliative care
Lack of Mobility
Like minor health problems, degrees of mobility issues are expected with age.
That being said, most assisted living communities are not equipped to deal with seniors with severe mobility issues. For example, needing a cane or a walker would typically be acceptable for an assisted living arrangement.
On the other hand, being bedridden usually disqualifies a senior from an assisted living community. Private home care may be a better option in a situation like this.
Find Out More About Assisted Living
Deciding where to spend your retirement years isn’t a decision to take lightly. You have to choose the community based on not only the services it provides but its staff as well. If you’re considering assisted or independent living or memory care communities in Shakopee, give us a call. The staff at All Saints Senior Living is happy to answer your questions and book you a tour so you can see the community for yourself.
