Many Seniors Discover New Creative Passions at Quality Assisted Living Communities

January 9, 2024 by ·

Many Seniors Discover New Creative Passions at Quality Assisted Living Communities with Caregiver Support

It’s easy to assume that when a person moves into assisted living that it’s the end of their life. At least the end of the quality years of their life. But that’s not what assisted living is all about. People incorrectly think that it’s just a place elderly men and women go when the last days of their life are fast approaching, without realizing the vital role caregivers play in enhancing residents’ lives.

Caregiver: Assisted Living Activities in Mobile, AL

Caregiver: Assisted Living Activities in Mobile, AL

They basically confuse it with other types of elder care. In truth, a quality assisted living facility, supported by dedicated caregivers, is designed to help men and women maximize their quality of life, even when they may be dealing with health issues, physical limitations, and numerous other challenges that often come from the natural process of aging.

When you choose a quality assisted living facility or community, you or your elderly loved one will discover that there are many things to pursue in life still. Just because somebody might have limited mobility due to their age, a stroke or heart attack, injuries, or even a disease like Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia doesn’t mean they have to give up living. Caregivers are there to assist and encourage engagement in various activities.

What activities might seniors discover at quality assisted living facilities?

That all depends on the location, the facility, and interests of the residents, but for the most part, they may expect to be able to find art activities, music lessons, fitness training, gardening, and much more, all with the support of caregivers.

Let’s look at each of these in greater detail so you or your loved one can realize just how vital assisted living could be for improving quality of life and helping seniors discover new passions in life (or rediscover and rekindle old ones that had long lain dormant), often with the encouragement and assistance of caregivers.

The Arts

Whether it’s painting, sculpting, or doing other types of crafts like knitting, crocheting, or sewing, there are many ways that people can learn new skills, test their limits, and create beautiful works of art with their own hands. If the facility offers arts as an outlet, they may bring in professionals or experts from the community to teach classes and support the residents along this journey in life, with caregivers often playing a key role in facilitating these activities.

Music

Music is a huge part of life for many people. However, when people have children, build a career, and have other responsibilities in life, they tend to let go of these other passions. Whether an aging senior once played an instrument in high school and gave it up along the way or always wanted to learn, a quality community might be just the place to start. Again, as with arts, if the facility brings in a professional in the field of music, he or she can help support residents who have a desire to learn an instrument, take it back up again, or just appreciate this form of art on a deeper level, with caregivers often being instrumental in coordinating these sessions.

Fitness Training

For seniors who want to get fit, stay fit, or reinvent their physical health, it’s important that the facility relies only on those professionals who are not just experts in fitness training, but who have extensive experience supporting seniors. That’s because seniors require different outlets, different patterns, and different ways of doing things than somebody in their 20s, 30s, or 40s. Caregivers play a crucial role in ensuring these fitness programs are accessible and tailored to each senior’s needs.

Gardening

Not all facilities have the resources to provide gardening as an option, but for those facilities that do, this is a great way for seniors to get outside, enjoy some fresh air, and feel productive in life as they grow their own fruits, vegetables, or other homegrown products.

If you or an aging loved one are considering a Caregiver or a move to an Assisted Living facility near Mobile, AL, contact Ashbury Manor Specialty Care and Assisted Living at 251-317-3017.

Filed Under: Assisted Living Mobile AL, Caregiver in Mobile AL · Tagged: , ,
About Cindy Johnson

Ashbury Manor’s Administrator since 2008, Cindy Johnson is a long-time expert in the assisted living field. Prior to her arrival at Ashbury Manor, Cindy managed acquisitions and crisis management for existing and new larger senior care project developments for eleven years. As regional manager for an Oregon-based assisted living management company, Cindy was directly responsible for operations for five 50-65 bed assisted living facilities. As manager during the transition to new ownership, Cindy reorganized internal operations and conducted leadership training for Executive Directors. As a result of her management and expertise, one of the company’s facilities (in Ocala, Florida) received a deficiency-free survey, resulting in the lifting of a moratorium on operation.

A nurse for 36 years, senior care has always been Cindy’s passion. Desiring to work more closely with residents, Cindy became a Category II Administrator in 2005. As Ashbury Manor’s Administrator, Cindy understands the complexities associated with dementia and cognitive impairment and she has fallen in love with seniors with dementia or cognitive impairment and their families.

Cindy is Treasurer of the local “Senior Coalition” chapter. She enjoys mentoring new candidates who want to become administrators.

As a 16-bed facility, with Cindy's training and experience, our residents and their families can be sure Ashbury Manor’s carefully selected staff provides the expertise of a larger facility while maintaining the individualized personal care of a small special needs home.
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