The common misconception that many older adults and seniors have is that moving into a private nursing home means giving up their independence, freedom, and privacy. We often worry that assisted living in nursing homes, even if only for short-term respite care, will render us useless and deprive us of our free time to do whatever we want. This is exactly how I felt before I decided to stay in Orange Valley.
Contrary to what we may think, many seniors find assisted living beneficial. Not only does it provide them with more independence and freedom than living at home, but in some cases, dependence on outside help is so gradual that they are unaware of how much freedom they have given up while living at home.
What is Assisted Living?
For seniors who require a higher level of care and support for their health and well-being, assisted living provides personalised care in a residential setting. This should not be confused with elderly home care services. Elderly home care services provide assistance to seniors in need of support after their discharge from a hospital but prefer to receive care at home. Medication management and assistance with daily activities such as using the bathroom, dressing, and grooming are some of the most common services included in assisted living. Meals, laundry, transportation, and even housekeeping services will be provided as well. There will also be personnel available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to assist with safety, care, and support.
Why is Assisted Living Helpful?
Activities of daily living (ADLs) can be difficult to perform as we get older, some of us may have also suffered from injuries that prevent us from carrying out certain tasks. These activities are also a common reason for seniors choosing to move into assisted living communities. Those seeking help typically require assistance with at least two daily tasks, such as bathing, walking, dressing, bed transfer, eating, or going to the bathroom.
Despite the fact that we require assistance with many tasks, assisted living at Orange Valley is similar to independent living in that we get to participate in a variety of social and recreational activities, as well as in specially designed programmes tailored to our entertainment needs.
Assisted living has helped many seniors understand why it is important not only for themselves but also for the caregivers at home.
Whether it’s respite care, long-term residential care, or even elderly daycare services, nursing home operators have trained caregivers and nursing assistants who are able to provide appropriate care to us without stripping us of our own will and power. This allows us to safely conduct daily activities with some level of independence.
Moving into assisted living also gave my family more time to rest and go about their daily lives, working, eating, and living without constantly worrying about my wellbeing and safety.
Orange Valley provided me with a safe, healthy and pleasant environment that met all of my daily living needs, including the need for independence. I was also able to socialise with people my age and stay active safely within the nursing home.
If you’re still uncomfortable with the idea of moving into a private nursing home for assisted living, nursing home operators such as Orange Valley also offer elderly home care services, in which trained caregivers are sent to your home to assist you with your daily activities while you remain in the comforts of your own home.
Orange Valley is one of Singapore’s leading nursing home operators offering comprehensive one-stop access to eldercare services. Learn more about our range of services here.