Assisted living is a long-term senior residence option that provides extra support services such as medication management, assistance with personal care, and meals along with housing and transportation. The goal of assisted living is to allow the personal freedom of self-sufficiency without the stress of household management and maintenance. Residents in an assisted living campus live independently yet always have a personal level of care available at all times. Because meals, fitness programs, and social events are provided seniors remain independent to their fullest extent and are free from the everyday worries associated with living alone.
The main difference between assisted living and independent living is the availability of onsite personal and medical care. Independent living is just that: seniors who chose to live in a community geared especially for their age group. Often this is a condominium, high-rise apartment, or "over 55" community that includes a common recreation area, but the main point is the residents live totally independent.
Assisted living, on the other hand, offers help with personal care, housekeeping, and medical needs as well as other services required for daily living. Residents live in their own apartment but have access to all services the community offers if they choose to participate. While their apartment features a kitchen all meals are provided in a common dining room, allowing for better nutrition and socialization.
One of the key components of assisted living is that the campus offers various levels of care. This allows the elderly to remain in their home when their needs change instead of being moved to a nursing home or other care facility. Here's a brief description of various facilities for the elderly; most of these services are available in an assisted living community:
Our resident care team will assist you with the activities of daily living (ADLs) that you desire and need based on your customized care plan. Because your plan is customized you'll have access to other levels of care as needed so you won't have to worry about future changes in your lifestyle. At Daystar you'll enjoy:
Everything is more convenient when you have the assistance you need in a home you'll love. Residents of Daystar Retirement Village have access to amazing personal service and an experienced staff. There are many services included in your monthly rent (full list below) and customized service options that can meet your individual personal care needs.
View an extensive list of Assisted Living Services & Amenities »
When making your decision to move to Daystar it's important to do a total cost comparison instead of just looking at the bottom line. Because your new assisted living campus is all inclusive, you should do a complete evaluation of your current annual cost of living in order to clearly see the true cost. Here's a brief list of things you should include in your current living expenses which will be included in your Daystar monthly fee:
While no two people are alike and there's no set criteria or age for making the decision to move to assisted living there are many signs you can use to help decide. If you find more than a few of these describe your life you may be ready to make the move:
Related: How to Overcome Caregiver Guilt & Reduce Stress When Caring for Aging Parents
If it sounds like you're ready to take the step to assisted living remember you don't have to decide immediately. Plan a meeting with your family and caregivers and go over the pros and cons of both staying in your current residence and moving to an assisted living campus. Make a list of your questions and enlist a computer-savvy family member if needed for researching communities in the area you'd like to live in. Set a date for a follow-up meeting where all your family members can share their insight and thoughts on the subject and then start planning your next steps.
Once you've decided to find an assisted living community it's vital that you do your homework before making the move. Don't choose a campus just because it's convenient to your current home or near your adult children; instead, make a plan of action and compare several communities. The key is to use all your senses and to trust your instincts if something doesn't feel right but you can't pinpoint the exact reason. You can download a checklist to make it easier to compare them, but here's a short list of things to look for when you're ready to find the perfect assisted living community:
Don't worry if you miss a few things when you tour; a reputable assisted living campus won't pressure you to make your decision right away. If you can't choose between two places make a "pros and cons" list of each and schedule another round of tours so you can refine your decision.
Once you've made your decision to move to an assisted living community you may find yourself overwhelmed by the sheer amount of chores that go into moving. The best thing to do is to break it down into manageable lists and take it one step at a time. Before you begin, measure the rooms in your new assisted living apartment so you'll know how much space you have to work with. It's also a good idea to reserve some storage room at your adult child's or a close friend's house so you won't have to worry about the things you're not sure you want to take. Here are some tips on making your big move:
Once you move to assisted living you won't have to worry about staying in touch with your friends and family. You'll have your own apartment so you can have visitors whenever you choose; you can even have your grandkids visit for overnight stays. You can go for visits and vacations if you want to, or you can stay in touch via phone. Many seniors embrace the internet to stay in touch as you can even visit face-to-face by using programs such as Skype. Your friends and family are always welcome to join you for a meal in the dining room, or you can prepare a snack or meal in your own apartment if you decide to entertain.
2615 SW Barton Street
Seattle, WA 98126
(206) 937-6122