Independent Living for the Elderly

The aging process is not always kind. With age, many senior citizens feel that their independence is being taken away. For safety or health reasons, families often have to make a tough decision regarding the aged loved one’s ability to continue to live alone. This is an especially difficult situation when the older person is successfully maintaining their independence to some degree. This person might still drive, still do the shopping and cleaning, but often slips in the shower or forgets to take medication as directed. This senior citizen may be an ideal candidate for an independent living facility.

An independent living facility provides the best of both worlds for the resident and the family. The resident maintains independence, often allowed complete freedom to drive, shop, clean, prepare meals, have guests, and perform grooming routines as desired. However, the facility will provide staff to check in on the resident on a routine basis. The staff member will monitor the resident’s safety and health conditions, including medication administration, hygiene, nutrition, living conditions, and vital signs as indicated. Additionally, a staff member may be assigned to assist the resident in other aspects of daily life, such as mail, banking, appointment setting, and a variety of other personal affairs.

Should the resident’s needs progress so that a higher level of care is needed, staff members will alert the family and facility administrators, at which time decisions can be made about the most appropriate placement of that loved one. This frequent, skilled monitoring provides many families with the peace of mind that their relative is enjoying the quality of life that they’re familiar with, as long as their mental or physical health allows.

Independent living is something that no one wants to give up. Unfortunately, there often comes a time when it is no longer safe for a person to live without at least a limited amount of supervision. Independent living facilities offer an answer to the family’s concerns while still affording the elderly adult the opportunity to maintain the dignity gained from independence.