Is supported living for you? Maybe you want to find out more about supported living, but you just don’t know where to start. Either way, you can find out everything you need to know, right here.
What is Supported Living?
Unlike residential homes, supported living gives people the chance to live within their own tenancy. This means that you will have a home of your own and it also means that you will have a much bigger level of autonomy. There will be a team of staff who are there to support you, and you will also have the living environment that is best suited to your needs. This will include the design, the lighting and also the ambience. If you live in supported living, then you will be encouraged to maximise the independence you have and you will also be encouraged to engage in various activities. This will be done internally and externally. If you have some particular wishes or if you have certain needs, then there will be staff there to support you. It’s suitable for those who have a huge range of needs, and it’s ideal for those who need help with communicating or managing their behaviour. You will have support that is completely catered to you and you may even find that you have a calmer living environment than the one you have now. In some cases, if you have care needs that require staff to have additional training, then sometimes this is possible to arrange.
With supported living, every care plan will be designed with the aim of making an impactful, positive difference to your day to day life. Family and friends will be aware of the goals that you are working towards and they will also be greatly involved with the professionals who are providing the care.
Is Supported Living For You?
Many retirement communities offer assisted living. They are designed to support seniors who could really benefit from having a higher amount of personalised care. The main goal of assisted living is to try and make sure that your loved one is able to maintain their quality of life. It also makes sure that they can maintain a comfortable and satisfying life while being able to maximise the amount of independence they have. Some residencies are able to offer an assisted living service in a neighbourhood too, and this comes with dining rooms and activity spaces.
The Benefits of Supported Living
If you feel as though supported living could be for you, then you need to take the time to understand the benefits so that you can help yourself ease into the process. This is also the best way for you to make sure that you are going to be getting the support you need. If you want to find out more then the only thing that you need to do is take a look below.
1. Help with your Daily Routine
Depending on your health, you may well find that you need some help with taking and even managing medications. You may also need help getting dressed in the morning or maintaining your personal hygiene routine. This is understandable, and when you move into supported living, you can get help with all of this and more. You will be able to be more comfortable and you will also be happier overall because you won’t have to worry about things like this as much. You may also find that you are able to get a personal care plan, as this will help you to get access to the right services for your individual needs. An example of the type of services you may be able to benefit from, using the above example, would be having someone, who can provide you with some rehabilitation support or even a therapy program. Memory care services are also normally available.
2. More Independence
Moving into a space of your very own gives you the chance to make more of your own decisions in your life. It also gives you the chance to live the life that you want. A lot of support services can provide you with trained staff who can help with various things, such as personal care and even daily life skills. You can also get support in budgeting as well as in household management. You’ll be able to get some help with the development of your social skills as well as your communication skills too. When you live in assisted living, you will have autonomy when you want it, and you will also have the option to have your family and your friends visiting at any time.
3. Flexibility with your Changing Needs
One of the main benefits that you get with assisted living is that you will get a huge amount of flexibility. You can choose options or services as you need them. A senior citizen who has a leg injury for example may well need to undergo rehabilitation services for a number of weeks. The staff can arrange this on an as-needed basis. If a senior decides that they need to move from an independent living facility so that they can get a higher level of support then sometimes, a physical move is not always required. Sometimes it’s possible to get additional services at your location, depending on the residence that you choose. This will give you a higher level of control overall.
4. The Opportunity to Socialise
Needing help with your medication or even the activities of daily living doesn’t mean that you have to miss out on socialising with your family or your friends. In fact, it’s very important for you to connect with others and for you to also enjoy their company. Assisted living offers a lot of opportunity for people to get together, whether it’s enjoying a meal in a dining room or even participating in a leisure experience. While you may be able to look forward to your new home, you may be nervous about being without your carer or your family. This is understandable, but everyone who moves needs to have the time to develop confidence and life skills. Supported living gives you the opportunity to do this, with staff who are there to help you with the practical side of things while also being there to listen and understand you when required. One of the great things about moving, is the chance to expand your social circle.
Supported living will also give you the chance to have your meals cooked for you, with a roster of experiences. You may find that you get access to entertainment and even charitable events too. This will again, support your social circle while giving you the chance to feel more confident in yourself.
5. Peace of Mind
Choosing assisted or supported living can easily take a huge weight off your shoulders. You have staff who are there to support you with your specific needs and you are also able to give your mental health a boost too. Balancing freedom and safety is everyone’s priority, and even though you may share a communal area with other people, you will have your own space as well. You will have the chance to arrange your bedroom in any way that you want, and you can also enjoy a much bigger peace of mind. This is especially the case for now, and for the future as well. Balancing freedom and safety is very important. With supported living, you will have a worker who is on-site 24 hours a day, they will provide support to house members. Staff are also highly trained and able to deal with almost any situation.
Of course, supported living is a fantastic way for you to make sure that you are getting the help you need with your current situation. It’s also a good way for you to make sure that you are not neglecting your own care through pride. You will still be in charge of your situation, you will be able to have your own space and you’ll be able to decorate it in whatever way you please. This gives you a remarkable amount of control over your living experience, without you having to worry about your mental or physical health. Supported living, as mentioned above, also gives you the chance to make sure that you have the friendship circle you need to be happy and independent. You can rest assured knowing that there are people there who are in a similar situation to you, and this can work wonders for your mental health.
At the end of the day, there are many reasons why supported living could work in your favour, and if you have never looked into it before, then now is certainly the time for you to change that. If you need some help, then remember that it’s more than possible for you to get the help you need by simply having a chat with a professional. They can then advise you on the options you have available.
