The Independence of Assisted Living

Article submitted by Autumn Ridge Assisted Living. They can be reached at 412-856-1588 or visit us at www.assistedlivingpgh.com.

Time and time again I hear our residents say that they feel they've "lost" their independence. I explain to them that they have actually gained their independence - it's the rest of us that have lost it. Let me explain....

Everyday we get up, go to work, decide what we're going to have for dinner, go shopping, cook the meal, set the table, do the dishes, pay bills, repair the house, take the children to sports and school activities, put a load of laundry in, put the clothes away, get everyone to bed and, oh yea, we need to go to bed too so we can get up tomorrow, go to work and do it all over again. Are you out of breath yet?

Now let's take a look at a typical day in the life of an assisted living resident, we'll call her Louise.....

She gets up....actually someone taps on her door and asks her if she wants to get up. After getting the assistance she needs, she walks (slowly, why should she rush?) to the dining room where the table is already set for her with her morning coffee (they know: one cream, light sugar). She asks for "eggs and bacon, no, make that pancakes and sausage." "Coming right up, Louise." After breakfast and some socializing (she's met Bernice, a great new friend to share stories), they decide to go to the exercise session while the breakfast table is cleared and dishes washed. During breakfast, all of her medications were brought to her - no need to remember. After lunch, a craft activity keeps the afternoon moving (that's if she chooses to attend) - last week, they baked cookies and cakes and decided to hold a bake sale. At dinner (which is served individually), the residents decided to form a book club among the ladies and Tuesdays: a Gentlemen's Evening for the men to play cards.

The grandchildren like to visit - they say, "grandma's house is big."

Does this sound like a "loss" of independence? There used to be bills to pay, lawn work, house painting, doctor visits ("now the doctor comes to me"), and medication schedules to follow. But not anymore. Louise actually enjoys "losing" her independence. In the evening, she decides to "call" for assistance using her wristband - she decided that she wanted coffee while watching "Jeopardy."

Nobody wants to leave his or her home of 30 or 40 years but, if the need is there, why not gain some "independence" from it.