Maintaining independence is something that is important to almost all of us, especially as we age. Many of us would also prefer to live out our later days within our own homes. However, there are no guarantees that this will be possible and it is often hard to know when you need extra support. One of the benefits of moving into a senior living community is the ability to live independently for as long as possible while having access to assisted living and other health services.
What Is Assisted Living?
Assisted living offers residents professional help with activities of daily living (ADLs). This includes tasks such as housework, dressing, grooming and medication management. At Friendship Village of Bloomington, a senior living community near Minneapolis in Bloomington, Minnesota, our assisted living residents receive individualized care that maximizes their independence.
“Sometimes I like to describe assisted living as simplified living, where our team eases the burden of certain independent activities of daily living, such as grocery shopping, medication management and cleaning,” says Michael Shaefer, admissions director at Friendship Village of Bloomington. “As this will allow the resident to enjoy the things that might be challenging to do if they did not have assistance ” think of attending activities and enjoying leisurely pursuits.”
Assisted living creates a sense of structure and routine that a person can no longer get from an independent living setting. It provides an extra layer of support with 24-hour staffing by a medical professional who can offer immediate intervention versus relying on emergency responders.
Signs You Might Need More Support
If you find yourself struggling to complete activities of daily living (ADLs) or other executive functioning tasks “such as financial management ” that may be a sign you could benefit from the individualized care that assisted living provides. Sometimes a visiting friend or family member may pick up on these signs before you do. Signs you might need more support include:
- Spending large amounts of time getting ready, to the point where you miss the appointment or social gathering that you are getting ready for
- Inability to maintain the cleanliness of your home or apartment
- Difficulty preparing meals, especially if nutritional needs are not met
- Trouble keeping up with medications and other essential tasks
Even if you know the signs, it can still be difficult to determine exactly when you or someone you care about should make the switch to assisted living. At Friendship Village of Bloomington, we have a registered nurse evaluate residents to determine the correct level of support needed.
Benefits of a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC)
A Continuing Care Retirement Community, also known as a Life Care community, is designed to meet a person’s changing needs as they age. CCRCs offer a variety of living arrangements and health services, such as independent living, assisted living and memory care. They also may have on-site skilled nursing and rehabilitation services to help you maintain independence.
The benefits of a CCRC are numerous, but perhaps the most important consideration is that CCRCs give you the freedom to age in place with access to higher levels of care, when you need them. Many of our residents start out in independent living and take comfort that assisted living is available to them if they end up needing assistance with activities of daily living.
CCRCs also provide access to a number of accommodating services and amenities.
Services & Amenities at Friendship Village of Bloomington
The team at Friendship Village of Bloomington proudly offers a level of service that sets the standard for senior living communities in the area, and this extends to assisted living.
Some of our most popular services for our assisted living residents include:
- Chef-prepared meals in the main dining room or cafe
- Access to our fitness center with its pool and workout areas
- Social, cultural and recreational activities that enrich the mind
- Help with activities of daily living, including personal care, dressing and mobility
- Scheduled transportation so you can enjoy off-site events and activities
Friendship Village of Bloomington also aims to keep its guests as comfortable as possible with a variety of on-site amenities. Some of our most helpful assisted living amenities include:
- Utilities, including electricity, water, heating, cooling and local telephone
- Cable and internet options
- Individual thermostats
- Weekly housekeeping and flat linen service
- 24-hour-attended call cords in bath and bedroom
These services and amenities allow you to focus on doing the things you enjoy.
Assisted Living Floor Plans
In February 2021, Friendship Village at Bloomington completed the first phase of our multimillion-dollar Health Center expansion. This included the addition of 16 assisted living apartment homes and five memory care suites. Community-wide, Friendship Village of Bloomington now offers 42 assisted living apartments and 32 memory care suites. We offer four different floor plans within our assisted living residences.
If you are considering assisted living for yourself or a loved one, or just want to learn more about Friendship Village of Bloomington, let’s talk. Fill out the form below or give us a call at 952-831-7500 to get in touch. You can also a href=”https://www.friendshipvillagemn.com/supported-living/one-on-one-virtual-health-center-tour/”>sign up for a virtual tour of our health center.
