8 Unique Features of Assisted Living in Sandusky, OH
Ohio has 2.8 million residents over the age of 60, comprising around 25% of the entire state's population.
Having a loved one entering their senior years can be affecting. When they're exhibiting signs of serious aging, it's less affecting and more overwhelming. If they're having trouble handling the duties of daily life, whatever they may be, it's probably time to start thinking about elder care services.
There are countless senior living options in Ohio, making it tricky to determine which community is right for your loved one. In today's post, we'll explain some unique features of assisted living in Sandusky OH.
It's important to do your due diligence when finding senior communities in Ohio. Keep reading, and you'll understand what's available and what assisted care benefits your loved one will enjoy.
1. Qualified Staff
When you're starting your search for assisted living in Sandusky, you'll be faced with plenty of options. One of the things you need to do first is understand what type of care your loved one needs.
You can separate senior care into two groups: independent living communities and assisted living communities. The biggest difference in these two types of senior living establishments is how involved the staff are.
Independent living is geared towards healthy seniors who simply want to downsize things for a more leisurely lifestyle. Assisted living, on the other hand, is better suited for those dealing with the effects of aging.
Staff in an assisted living community are with residents 24/7 to help with everything from bathing to taking medication. In these communities, highly qualified staff are an important feature. When you leave your loved one in assisted living, you know the staff put your mind at ease, knowing that staff is looking after them.
2. An Activity Calendar
An important feature of all types of senior living is programming. A good community will have a daily activity calendar that has a diverse array of events and activities to promote socialization, health, and wellness.
Socialization is so important for older adults. Many seniors deal with social isolation, which can increase feelings of anxiety and depression. It's estimated that 6 million seniors deal with depression, with only 10% of them seeking help.
With a strong community, your loved one can enjoy a bustling social life facilitated by various activities. These activities are also set up to improve residents' physical fitness. They might include things like walking clubs, yoga, or Tai Chi.
Seniors must get at least 150 minutes per week of moderate aerobic activity to remain healthy and stave off things like osteoporosis and diabetes.
3. In-House Dining
Nutrition is equally important to senior health. Older adults need a balanced diet full of vitamins and other nutrients to avoid heart disease and even some cancers. As people get older, however, it becomes more difficult to stay motivated to cook and eat well.
Retirement homes in Sandusky make it easy to maintain a healthy diet. The in-house restaurant provides residents with multiple healthy meals per day so they don't have to think about healthy eating - it's simply available to them.
4. Unique Amenities
Every assisted living community has unique amenities for residents to enjoy. Some might have a vast outdoor area with walking trails for everyone to explore, while others might value indoor amenities, like entertainment rooms and fitness centers.
It's important to tour different communities to get a sense of the amenities on offer. This is often one of the biggest deciding factors in picking one community over another. If a community has great amenities, your loved one will enjoy a high quality of life.
5. Equipped Rooms
While the offerings of the communal spaces in assisted living are very important, they're not everything. At the end of the day, your loved one needs to feel at home in the community, so they need a fully equipped apartment-style room.
The room isn't just a place to sleep in. It's where your loved one will spend time lounging, entertaining visitors, and cooking their own meals whenever they feel the need to.
When searching for assisted living, it's important to choose a community that offers a variety of different room styles. If your loved one wants more space or they're on a budget, there should be rooms available to accommodate them.
6. Safety and Security
The safety and security of the community are paramount to your loved one's sense of comfort. Older adults are at risk of serious injury if they experience a fall, while those suffering from cognitive decline could be liable to wander at some point.
An assisted living community needs to account for these things. The building should be safe, secure, and monitored to keep residents safe, keep an eye on them, and respond to emergencies quickly. When you find the right community, you'll know that your loved one is going to be safe.
7. Transportation Services
A sense of independence is important for all seniors, even when they need advanced care. When you choose the right community, your loved one will be able to continue living their life outside of assisted living.
Transportation services will ensure they can still get out to run errands, make appointments, and enjoy life outside the community. It's not just a ride to and from the destination; your loved one will be accompanied by staff to ensure safety and security throughout their journey.
8. Community Mindset
The last and most important feature of an assisted living community is right in the name - the community mindset. Transitioning into assisted living can be tricky, even when you choose the perfect community. When a place has the right mindset, however, the transition is made so much easier.
A community mindset permeates the entire place and even extends outward to family and friends. Your loved one will quickly assimilate into senior care because they're treated like family, and so are all of their guests.
Choose the Best Assisted Living in Sandusky OH
There are many retirement homes in Ohio, but none offer all of the assisted living benefits discussed here as we do at Portland Place Assisted Living in Sandusky OH.
Our services and amenities are second to none. We even have a registered nurse available 24/7 to oversee clinical care plans. Don't settle for anything less than perfect senior care, contact us today to set up a tour of our Sandusky community to see it for yourself.