Although there are several advantages to having your parents live independently as they age, one potential downfall is that you might not feel confident about their security. Additionally, many senior citizens tend to be nervous about a variety of threats that can shake their confidence about living independently. If this is a concern to you, you might wish to think about relocating your parents to an assisted living home in your community. This new living environment carries a wide range of benefits, including helping both of you to feel more secure. Here are some reasons that you’ll feel better.
Lower Fire Risk
An elderly parent who is starting to get forgetful may leave a candle burning or leave the stove unattended until a fire starts. If your parents aren’t particularly nimble, you might be worried that they’d be unable to get down the stairs and out the door of their house in the event of a fire. You won’t have to worry about this topic when you move them into assisted living. The presence of food services staff means that residents don’t commonly deal with cooking appliances, and plenty of staff and a fire-suppression system means that even if a fire begins, it will be put out quickly and residents will be escorted to safety.
Lower Risk Of Break-Ins
Some seniors who live on their own may feel as though they’re a target for thieves. This can especially be the case if they have lots of valuables in their home. It’s an unsettling feeling to think that someone may attempt a break-in or even a home invasion of your parents’ home and seriously hurt them. Further, you might also be concerned about an intruder because you’ve noticed that your parents occasionally forget to lock their doors. This won’t be a concern in assisted living. Not only are these buildings kept locked overnight, but they also employ a broad selection of staff — including those trained in security — to keep residents and their possessions safe.
Less Chance Of Telephone Fraud
You may also be unnerved about your parents falling victim to fraud by phone when they live alone. Regularly, scammers make headlines for tricking people — including members of the elderly community — into giving confidential bank or personal information over the phone, which can lead to financial fraud or even identity theft. With informed staff members around your parents in assisted living, they’ll be able to consult a staff member upon receiving a suspicious phone call, and he or she can take the phone to assess the authenticity of the caller.
Help In The Event Of A Fall
Another concern for elderly people is falling inside the home and not being able to get to a phone to summon help. This can be a big concern when your parents have issues that affect their balance. When you move your loved ones into assisted living, they’ll be surrounded by staff who will help in such an occurrence. And, many assisted living homes are designed on a single level, so there are no stairs that could potentially trip residents. Additionally, if you and the home’s staff believe one of your parents to be a fall risk, you can request a call pendant, which your parent will wear around his or her neck and press to bring people to his or her aid.
For an assisted living home that addresses not only your parents’ security needs, but also provides a home in which they’ll enjoy a variety of cozy amenities while receiving whatever around-the-clock care they need, contact Longwood Plantation to arrange a visit.
