For seniors who require long-term care but don’t need round-the-clock care from a skilled nurse, assisted living offers a solution. These communities strive to balance residents’ freedom and personal care help, basic health services, 24-hour security, and communal recreational activities. If you’ve been considering moving to an assisted living facility, you may wonder what amenities they offer. This read will list the amenities to expect from all-inclusive assisted living facilities.
1. Fully Furnished Apartments
Assisted living facilities typically offer a range of floor plans and room sizes. While different communities have different room options, most establishments provide one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments and studios. Seniors can choose the kind of housing that best serves their needs, financial situation, and lifestyle.
While all-inclusive assisted living facilities typically offer furnished apartments, it’s not a universal requirement. The house furnishing in these apartments varies with the facility, apartment size, and the degree of care the individual needs. Some facilities offer partially furnished apartments with essential furniture such as a dresser, bed, and nightstand. Other facilities offer fully furnished apartments with a complete furniture set that includes a sofa, dining table, chairs, kitchen appliances, and other household items.
Note that living in an assisted living facility is often more expensive than independent living. Furnishing an apartment isn’t a cheap undertaking, and this often reflects in the monthly rental fee. Subject to certain guidelines and space limitations, some facilities allow residents to bring personal furniture to the apartment.
Others feature a kitchenette for those who love cooking. Before choosing a facility, inquire about the furnishings and amenities they offer. Understanding what the monthly fee covers will help determine if a particular facility fits your needs and preferences.
2. Beautifully Designed Livings Space
The spaces in all-inclusive assisted living facilities aren’t just designed for functionality; aesthetics are also an important consideration. Commercial interior designers are typically behind the design concept of these spaces. They collaborate with the facility’s management team to establish the residents’ needs and overall design goals.
Some facilities feature spacious, open-plan apartments with plenty of natural light, elegant finishes, and modern amenities. Others have more compact, cozier apartments with warm and inviting. Most also include common areas like game rooms, libraries, and outdoor spaces to promote socialization.
Common design elements in all-inclusive assisted living facilities include comfortable seating areas, artwork, and greenery. The designers incorporate natural light and well-designed artificial lighting to create a welcoming, home-like atmosphere that promotes safety. Assisted living facilities understand that aesthetics play an important role in promoting the well-being of residents, so they hire commercial interior designers.
3. Comfortable Beds
All-inclusive assisted living facilities know that comfort is important for seniors, and the type of bed they sleep in is crucial in ensuring their well-being. Depending on the specific needs of residents, these facilities offer various beds. These include adjustable, hospital, and specialized beds for those with specific needs.
Adjustable beds allow residents to adjust them to different angles to support the legs, neck, and back. They often feature remote controls so seniors can adjust their position without assistance. Hospital beds are common for seniors with serious health conditions. They may include side rails, in-built scales, and electrical controls for changing the bed’s position, among other features.
The Hastens mattress is one bed that has become more popular in recent years. These luxurious mattresses are hand-made using natural materials like cotton, wool, and horsehair and offer exceptional comfort and support. The unique construction of Hastens mattresses allows them to adapt to the body’s curves, providing optimal support for each individual.
Although the cost of Hastens mattresses may be higher than comparable beds in assisted living facilities, they greatly benefit seniors. The quality of sleep that Hastens mattresses provide can help improve residents’ overall health and well-being, including reducing pain and increasing mobility. Not all assisted living facilities offer Hastens mattresses. However, some let residents bring their mattresses.
4. Comfortable Flooring
The flooring in all-inclusive assisted living facilities is carefully chosen to promote safety. Rubber flooring is a common choice for its slip-resistant capabilities, even when wet. It also has shock-absorbing qualities that protect against harsh impacts when falls occur.
Cork flooring is another common choice. It provides unmatched comfort in the form of thermal insulation, compressibility, and sound absorption, which perfectly serves the demands of assisted living facilities. This flooring option is also environmentally friendly. Like rubber, cork also has shock-absorbing characteristics that cushion against harsh floors and is soft underfoot.
Vinyl has become a popular flooring option for all-inclusive assisted living facilities in recent years, and it’s easy to see why. Vinyl has all the characteristics to satisfy most, if not all, of the standards for assisted living facilities since it’s resistant to scratches and stains, mildew and mold, and protects against slips and falls. Whether engineered vinyl planks or luxury vinyl tiles, they provide optimal comfort.
Epoxy flooring systems are another common option for assisted living facilities. They’re aesthetically pleasing, extremely durable, nonslip, and withstand constant day and night traffic. The epoxy coating shields the surface from chemical spills, foot traffic, and abrasions, reducing wear and tear. To enhance safety and comfort, these facilities add high end rugs to the floors.
5. Walkable Outdoor Areas
Walkable outdoor areas are an important amenity in all-inclusive assisted living facilities. They encourage seniors to exercise, which benefits their mental and physical well-being. Walking is a low-impact exercise that helps strengthen muscles, maintain balance, and improve cardiovascular health. These amenities also provide a much-welcomed change of scenery and encourage socialization.
Assisted living facilities employ landscape designers who consider seniors’ unique needs when designing walkable outdoor areas. For instance, they create wide, level walkways that are easy to navigate using mobility aids like wheelchairs and walkers. They also include benches and shaded areas where seniors can rest if needed.
Accessible outdoor spaces raise the general standard of living for seniors residing in assisted living facilities. They help reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation, common among seniors who can’t leave the facility without assistance. When looking for an all-inclusive assisted living facility, ask for a tour to confirm whether they have walkable outdoor areas.
6. Outdoor Social Spaces
All-inclusive assisted living facilities also feature outdoor social spaces with outdoor furniture. These spaces offer several benefits for seniors. For example, community gardens stimulate activity, increase engagement, and help residents feel more relaxed. Some studies suggest spending time outside may potentially reduce the progression of dementia and boost memory.
Greenhouses or gardens can establish a sense of normalcy or routine for residents. Planting flowers, picking vegetables, and watching things grow make seniors feel part of something. The benefits of natural environments extend beyond visual appeal. Garden visits can also improve sleep quality, increase vitamin D intake, lower blood pressure, and improve stability.
Gardens featuring saturated hues such as yellows, reds, and oranges aren’t only easy for seniors to see. They stimulate memory. A garden’s layout can also encourage dialogue.
Exposure to natural sunlight benefits one’s sleep by regulating the body’s circadian rhythm. This effect promotes more regular sleep patterns. By serving as a gathering place for visitors’ friends and relatives, outdoor social spaces promote social interaction among residents.
7. Advanced Building Security
All-inclusive assisted living facilities feature security systems that extend beyond commercial locks. One of the primary security features is secure access control, which may include electronic key cards, security personnel, and gated entryways. By limiting access to only authorized personnel, these security measures guarantee the residents’ safety and security within the facility.
Surveillance systems are also common in these facilities. They install video cameras in common spaces, corridors, and resident rooms in certain institutions. With the help of these cameras, staff can keep an eye on residents’ activities and ensure they’re safe and getting the care they need. They also discourage criminal activity, and the footage can help identify the perpetrator if an incident occurs.
These facilities also feature fire safety measures such as fire alarms and smoke detectors. They conduct regular fire drills, maintenance of fire safety equipment, train staff in fire prevention, and keep fire exits clear and accessible. Since most senior residents have mobility issues, these facilities prioritize fire safety.
All-inclusive assisted living facilities also feature emergency response systems to guarantee that residents receive timely medical assistance in an emergency. They may include calling buttons or wearable devices that are easy to use. These facilities also train staff to react swiftly to emergencies, provide medical care, contact relatives, and call emergency services as needed.
The employees are also taught to identify and report suspicious behavior, abuse, or neglect. Training also focuses on establishing emergency response procedures, including how to evacuate residents in the event of a fire or other disaster. These security measures work together to ensure the safety of residents within the facility.
8. Smart Home Integration
Smart home systems are gaining popularity for their convenience and ability to enhance the quality of life for users. These systems provide residents with a more comfortable, safer, and healthier living environment in all-inclusive assisted living facilities. Different smart home systems serve different purposes in smart homes.
For example, smart lighting systems allow residents to program light levels according to the time of day, natural light conditions, and their preferences. They help reduce the risk of falls and improve residents’ sleep quality. Voice-activated assistants like Amazon Echo or Google Home can give seniors hands-free control of their environment, including turning on lights, adjusting thermostats, and setting reminders. They can also provide residents with entertainment and news updates and connect them with family and friends.
Smart thermostats automatically adjust the temperature based on residents’ preferences, weather conditions, and time of day. These systems also improve indoor air quality. Smart security systems are also common in all-inclusive assisted living facilities. They typically include video doorbells, security cameras, and smart locks that allow residents to control access to their homes remotely.
9. In-House Laundry Facilities
In-house laundry facilities are common in all-inclusive assisted living facilities. These facilities make laundry convenient for seniors as they don’t have to leave the building. They also save time and money by eliminating the need to go to an off-site laundromat to access a commercial washing machine or pay for laundry services.
Besides convenience, they allow residents to maintain their independence and privacy. Many older adults are hesitant to share personal items, such as clothing, with strangers, and in-house laundry facilities alleviate this concern. Having in-house laundry facilities on-site also helps prevent the transmission of illness and infection. Most assisted living homes have stringent infection control policies which ensure residents’ clothing is washed and dried at the appropriate temperature and frequency to prevent the spread of germs.
These facilities also offer some social benefits. Residents can interact with other residents while doing laundry, fostering a sense of community and promoting socialization. Most assisted living facilities offer in-house laundry facilities to encourage social interaction among residents.
10. Secure Parking Areas
All-inclusive assisted living facilities typically provide secure parking areas for residents and visitors. The parking area’s availability and size will vary with the facility’s size and location. Some assisted living facilities have designated parking spaces for residents, while others may have shared parking lots with neighboring buildings or businesses.
The parking areas are designed for seniors and people with disabilities. They’re typically wider and closer to entrances for easier access and maneuvering. They also include ramps and other features to accommodate residents who use mobility aids.
In some cases, assisted living facilities may also provide transportation services for residents who do not have vehicles or can’t drive. This may include shuttle buses or vans that transport residents to medical appointments, social events, or other destinations. It’s important to note that while assisted living facilities may provide parking areas, parking may be limited or subject to certain restrictions.
For example, some facilities may have time limits on parking or may require residents to register their vehicles with the facility. Some may also monitor parking areas to ensure only authorized vehicles are on the premises. All-inclusive assisted living facilities regularly employ asphalt paving services to ensure safe parking areas.
All-inclusive assisted living facilities offer round-the-clock assistance for seniors while still allowing them to maintain independence. The amenities they provide make navigating everyday tasks much easier. If you’ve been thinking of moving to one, then you’ll be happy to know you’re making the right decision.
