Thursday, September 10, 2015

Assisted Living San Diego: Some Surprising Benefits

By Rue Nichols


If we all had our way, we'd be 100% healthy and fit throughout our entire lives and able to live a fully independent life well into our 90s. However, this is not reality for millions of older Americans who suffer from the loneliness of isolation, and there is a vast difference between being happily independent and being isolated or shut in. For those in isolation, it might be wise to consider the advantages of moving into a facility for assisted living in San Diego or perhaps a retirement community. Here are just a few of the advantages of assisted living.

1. Isolation Can Reduce Your Lifespan

There are plenty of seniors that have no trouble living alone. They have plenty of friends and no trouble driving or arranging transportation to enjoy club meetings, tennis matches, church socials and other events. However, there are many seniors that have no convenient transportation and suffer from some level of physical disability. Often these people end up spending most of their time alone inside their homes. Some studies show that this type of isolation can shorten your lifespan. People who are isolated become ill more easily and because they have fewer social interactions, there aren't people around to notice changes in physical or mental health. Problems with high blood pressure, heart disease and even cancer may be exacerbated by this isolation.

2. Isolation Decreases Your Safety

At a home for assisted living in San Diego, there is staff on site 24 hours a day. If one falls and is injured, there is always someone there to help. If one has a stroke or heart attack, help is close by. Even an illness such as a severe cold or influenza might be noticed quickly by a staff member and a trip to the doctor can be arranged. When you live alone and suffer a fall or perhaps have a medical emergency, you may not be able to summon help. As well, security in general typically is much better at an assisted living community than in a private home.

3. Assisted Living Can Be Good For Your Brain

There are studies that have indicated that enjoying plenty of social interaction can improve your mental clarity and can slow the progress of dementia. At a facility for assisted living in San Diego County, there are also many daily activities to enjoy and these can improve your mental sharpness as well as your physical health. Depression among older adults is quite common, but tends to be less common when the individual has a strong support system including family and friends. An assisted living facility allows you to enjoy the company of others with very little effort. You don't have to drive yourself anywhere and you don't have to wait for someone to come and pick you up.

For an older adult with no health problems and plenty to keep them busy, assisted living is probably not something that is necessary. For those who have trouble with mobility and difficulty with dressing, grooming and preparing meals or remembering to take medications, assisted living can be a choice worth consideration. You will have plenty of help, as well as being able to avoid the isolation of living alone. While a caregiver can come to the home to help with daily chores, this isn't the same as being around friends.

If you are getting ready to begin your search for senior care, consider using a local eldercare placement service. A service such as Care Placement will ask you to fill out a questionnaire, and then a representative will contact you to discuss your needs. From there, you will receive a list of board and care homes or facilities for assisted living in San Diego that meet your needs. The placement services generally are free, and the homes and assisted living communities have been pre-screened. Even so, it's best to visit several facilities before ultimately decided which one is the best fit.




About the Author:



0 comments:

Post a Comment