There comes a time when the decision needs to be made. Do I get in-home care, or do I move into an assisted living facility? This is a big decision and one you should not make on your own. While the decision is ultimately yours it is important to talk it over with your children, family members, and close friends.
As with any important decision, there are pros and cons to each side. There are many good things about in-home care. However, there are also some particularly good reasons to make the move into an assisted living facility.
Here are four big things we recommend considering when making this decision for yourself or with a loved one.
Consistency of Care with Oversight
Caregiving and Administrative team members at Fox Hollow Assisted Living (Eugene, OR)
Few people can afford 24/7 in-home care. What that means is, if you want to stay in your home, you will most likely need to coordinate care between family members, neighbors, friends, and professional caregivers. That can get complicated and confusing very quickly.
Most in-home caregiver visits are unsupervised. As the patient, you are reliant upon their experience and knowledge to receive the level of care your unique needs require. Further, there is no guarantee that the caregiver you saw last week will be the same one you see this week. In an assisted living facility, the team of caregivers you see will not only be consistent, but they will be familiar with you and your individualized care plan.
If you were to choose to make your home in an assisted living facility, such as one of the Nightingale Healthcare communities, you would have around the clock, consistent care from a qualified, compassionate team of professionals. And because you will see these same caring faces each day, your sense of comfort, safety, and home will enhance. Further, your needs will receive proper oversight and attention to maintain your ongoing health and safety. Assisted living communities are equipped with an onsite supervisor at all times and the ability to provide continued training opportunities for caregiving staff so that they are always up to date on the latest developments and care techniques for their elder populations.
At Nightingale Healthcare, we value family and unity. When you choose to live in one of our assisted living communities, you become family to us. And time willing, we are certain you will fall in love with us too!
Staying Healthy Through Socialization
Two residents enjoying fresh manicures at Spruce Point Assisted Living (Florence, OR)
Being at home may feel safe but living independently does not always provide you with vast opportunities to spend time with people you can relate to or have access to the activities and hobbies that you enjoy. Assisted living provides these opportunities. You do not have to be isolated; you can socialize and do it on your own terms.
Studies show that increased activity and social engagement in elderly help stave off feelings of loneliness and depression and can be beneficial for those with cognitive impairment. Staying active is as much about mental stimulation and flexing the mind as it is about keeping the body working.
At Nightingale Healthcare, we employ creative and innately compassionate individuals to lead our Enrichment departments. Every day, everyone under our various roofs are provided an outlet for expressing their creativity, engaging with their peers, and challenging their bodies and minds through thoughtful enrichment activities. The beauty of this is that the choice to participate is yours, and yours only, but you can rest easy knowing that the opportunity will always be there when you are feeling up to it.
Whether you like living on your own or enjoy the company of others, having an active life is beneficial. An active lifestyle is not necessarily about getting your steps in or joining the coffee klatch. While those things are definitely helpful, it is the quality of life that is important. For some, an active life is a breakfast with friends and a day of reading. For others, it is a lazy meal at home and then a day of non-stop activities. In an assisted living situation, you can have the kind of life you enjoy and one that makes your heart sing!
At Nightingale Healthcare, we believe that a happy heart is a healthy heart. This is why the culture at each of our buildings is one that celebrates life, friendship, and fulfillment.
Home is Where the Heart Is
One of our beautiful residents in her home at Summit Place Assisted Living (Bellingham, WA)
Home is where the heart is, but it is also so much more. Home is being healthy and secure. It is being able to feel comfortable knowing that all your needs will be met; that your physical well-being is just as important as your emotional and mental well-being. The assisted living accommodations at Nightingale Healthcare communities provide our residents with a skilled and compassionate team of caregivers and staff to ensure that you can have just that. Our mission is to help you live your best life, every day, by providing you with the comforts of home while you choose to stay with us.
When you move in, we encourage you to take full ownership of your new home. Bring your favorite knick-knacks, your bedroom furnishings, and your favorite recliner. Hang your family photos on the wall, sip your morning tea from your favorite teacup, and enjoy the scenery as hummingbirds visit your bird feeder outside your window. Decorate your doorstep with a welcome mat and hang a seasonal wreath from your door.
Show us who you are so we can celebrate you and your uniqueness! Allow us to welcome you into our community as one of us, our neighbor and new friend. We want you to feel at home and live your best life.
Comforts of Home Without the Hassle
Sunnyside Assisted Living’s enrichment leader and resident share a moment (Sunnyside, WA)
We can appreciate the level of freedom that comes with remaining independent, but there is also a lot of hassle that comes with living on your own, especially once your health or physical stability have become an issue. Transitioning into an assisted living community gives you the space you need to roam freely while also providing the daily living assistance that removes this hassle from your life. Just like magic, your laundry, housekeeping, and cooking responsibilities vanish. Poof!
When you transition to an assisted living community, the goal is simple – focus on you! Focus on your happiness, your fulfillment, and living out this beautiful life you have been given. Let us handle the rest for you. You deserve this time!
We are a family-owned company with a leadership team made up of professionals dedicated to service and community. Further, we have created an environment where we each thrive in our own disciplines; we support and nurture one another, championing the overall success and wellness of those we serve.
We are a family. And because we are family, we treat you like family.
Moving into an assisted living facility is a big decision. We understand that. Get in touch with us. We would be happy to show you around our communities and answer any questions that you may have.