Many people associate Assisted Living Facilities, or ALFs, with those challenged with dementia or other debilitating conditions. Not so! While those who have dementia indeed can enjoy life in an ALF or its corresponding Memory Care Unit that specializes in their unique needs and activities, ALFs have become a popular choice for others living life to the fullest without all the responsibilities. As the name implies, Assisted Living offers apartment living with assistance where needed and is a viable option for anyone. If you find that maintaining a private residence is becoming too much of a challenge or too tiring, if you have a spouse needing more care than you can manage at home, if you have an illness or disability requiring extra TLC with physical or medical needs, think ALF. Or maybe you want to enjoy life without the headaches, leaving the cooking, cleaning, and other daily tasks to someone else while you enjoy your Senior years, comforted in the knowledge that help is there if needed. If any of these rings a bell, then maybe it’s time to ask about an Assisted Living Facility, either for yourself or for you and your spouse.
There is a smorgasbord of ALFs to choose from these days, each with their own buffet of services, accommodation options, meals, and activities from which to choose. Many may also offer Independent Living options, with an adjoining ALF just a few steps away, should the need for a change arise. One thing is for certain, you can be as active or serene as you wish. The best part about both is that someone else takes care of organizing the activities offered, and planning events. Moving forward in years doesn’t have to mean moving backward in fun. Activities are an essential part of life in the ALF for many reasons, including:
Healthy Activity. Getting up and moving is good for your health. Period. Whether it’s a walk in the park, taking an exercise class, a dip in the pool, or a shopping trip, you’re moving.
Isolation & Depression. Being social keeps your brain active, your heart pumping, and your smile muscles working. The bonus is, you’ll end up with a slew of new friends who share the same lifestyle and interests. Get high on those natural endorphins your body produces with exercise and watch your moods improve!
Grey Cells. It is well known that being socially engaged, as well as physically moving, keeps the brain active and the neurons firing.
So, what’s on the menu at an Assisted Living Facility? While each ALF will have its own roster of activities, these are just a taste of what may be available:
Entertainment. Movie nights, group TV, dog shows and canine visits, musicians, concerts, plays, shall I go on?
Dances. If you feel like getting ‘jiggy with it’, there’s bound to organized dances or classes offered from Line, Swing, Ballroom, Square to belly dancing. Some ALFs even host ‘Senior’ Proms!
Fitness. Apart from dance, there might be yoga or chair yoga classes, Tai Chi or chair aerobics, Zumba, swimming, aquacise, tennis, shuffleboard, bocce, walking trails, or even a nearby fishing hole. And if you’re digitally inclined, Wii sports are great fun from bowling to tennis to yes, even fishing.
Games. Cards, board games, chess, checkers, trivia nights, and more. Nothing beats a spirited Bingo game, too!
Music. If you dare, grab the mike on karaoke night or be entertained by visiting musicians, choirs, soloists, chamber ensembles, Sinatra or Elvis impersonator, or maybe even a talented resident or two.
Arts & Crafts. Both classes and studio time let you express yourself with painting, sketching, clay, flower pressing or arranging, woodworking, holiday crafts, and other creative outlets to learn new skills or enjoy practiced ones.
Events. The holidays always illicit parties and activities until you drop. There might even be a themed night like Hawaiian luaus or Tex-Mex with entertainers and menus to match. Enjoy Happy Hours with friends. And let’s not forget celebrating the most important day of the year, your birthday. There’s always a party in that!
Field Trips. Concerts, shopping trips, park visits and nature trails, museums, dining, sports events, movie theaters, Farmers Markets and supermarkets, play golf, the list goes on and on. Some ALFs even plan road trips and international excursions!
Clubs and Classes. Residents often form interest groups themselves, such as book clubs, birdwatchers, or even Bible studies. Classes might include learning a new language or computers, photography, or art.
As the saying goes, these are just the tip of the iceberg. There is something for everyone, and if you don’t see your favorite, ask. If it conforms to safety and cost standards, and enough interest is shown, it will be considered. The important thing is, when choosing an ALF, accommodations and services are undoubtedly necessary to investigate thoroughly. However, be sure also to get the rundown on all the activities offered. Then choose your new home and get this next phase of your life started – actively!
