When Assisted Living is the Right Choice

Article submitted by Terry Leeman, administrator of NHC Place at Cool Springs, Williamson County's only Assisted Living Center and multi-specialty Health Center on a single campus. For more information, call 615-778-6800

Assisted living isn't a new concept. But many people don't learn about assisted living until they have an aging parent or relative who is no longer able to live alone without some level of daily assistance or care.
People may choose assisted living for themselves or for an aging relative for a number of reasons. Here are a few of the most common:

• The person needs assistance with essential activities of daily life, such as preparing regular meals, taking medication, or bathing and dressing.
• The person needs a safe and comfortable environment, which his or her current home does not provide.
• Temporary living arrangements are needed when family members or other caregivers with whom the person lives are planning to take an out-of-town vacation or to renovate their house.
• The person is recuperating from surgery or illness and no longer needs full-time nursing care, but does need assistance on a daily basis.
• Taking care of activities of daily living has become so consuming and exhausting that the individual has no time to do the things he or she enjoys, such as visiting with friends, reading and other hobbies.

Whether the need for assistance is temporary or permanent, family members often struggle with the decision to explore assisted living. Many strive to provide the same level of care through a combination of family attendants, paid caregivers and home health care. While this works for some families, these arrangements require a great deal of time and coordination - and the cost can be very high. In addition, while staying in one's home may sound like the best solution, people who need assistance with activities of daily life may also suffer from social isolation. Studies have shown that positive social interaction is essential to overall wellness.

Assisted living provides the daily services people need to stay healthy and comfortable, and the daily social interaction they need. A good assisted living center will provide a wide range of services and amenities designed to provide 24-hour comfort, convenience and quality care. And, as a person's need for assistance and care changes, many assisted living communities can provide varying levels of assistance and health care services to meet advancing needs.

While each family explores assisted living as an alternative for a family ing circumstances, all family members and assisted living goal.