For seniors who want to continue living independently but also need assistance with certain daily living tasks, such as bathing or home cleaning, living in an assisted living facility (ALF) is a great option. ALFs are an excellent alternative for older adults who do not need the around-the-clock care of a nursing home but need a helping hand with daily activities.
What are Assisted Living Facilities?
In the state of Texas, assisted living facilities are categorized as facilities that provide medical and personal care to seniors. Most ALFs in the state have private apartments for residents to live in, and they may also offer shared community spaces such as pools, fitness and wellness centers — and even restaurants.
All ALFs in Texas are categorized as Type A or Type B assisted living facilities. Type A facilities are able to support independent seniors who do not need nighttime care and who can evacuate the facility themselves in an emergency. On the other hand, Type B facilities are those that can care for residents overnight and can help residents evacuate the facility in an emergency. For safety reasons, seniors who are unable to evacuate in an emergency due to physical or mental disabilities are required to stay at a Type B facility.
What are the Benefits of Assisted Living Facilities?
ALFs are preferred to nursing homes for many moderately independent seniors because they often offer private rooms, whereas most nursing homes do not. These types of facilities can also provide seniors with a sense of community by offering regularly scheduled programming and social events.
Living in an assisted living facility is also a safer option than living alone, since it comes with easier access to medical alert systems and on-site medical staff. Additionally, many facilities offer transportation to and from doctor's appointments, pharmacies and more.
What Services do Assisted Living Facilities Offer?
Aside from the safety benefits that come with living in an ALF, residents of ALFs can also expect to receive help with household tasks. These tasks may include:
- Laundry
- Dishes
- Landscaping and Yard Work
- Appliance Repairs and Replacements
- House Cleaning
Another great benefit of living in an ALF is the meals that most ALFs provide to residents. In these facilities, residents often have easy access to healthy food any time of day, and they may even have access to cooking and wellness classes.
The benefits of moving into an assisted living facility, or ALF, are endless, ranging from assistance with daily living tasks to finding a sense of community.
Assisted living at The Plaza at Edgemere customizes each resident's care plan based on their needs and wishes. With the focus on independence, the community offers enriching programming while working towards improving each resident's health. If your family member or friend is a senior interested in ALF living, contact us today to learn more about what The Plaza offers by calling (214) 265-9100.
