Some Independent Living Communities offer an additional service of supportive care for residents who may require temporary assistance. Seniors who are recuperating after an accident or injury, have had surgery or treatments such as chemotherapy, or are recovering from an illness may find the extra care helpful while getting back on their feet.
Supportive care can embrace four areas: companionship, personal care needs (meals), mobility (transportation) and medication reminders.
Following a health setback, residents of Independent Living Communities often recover more quickly and completely than seniors living alone due to the knowledge and encouragement offered by both staff and fellow residents. Knowing this care is available can also give seniors the added confidence to undergo elective procedures such as cosmetic or corrective surgery.
Both residents and their families generally agree that the availability of support care gives them peace of mind that should an emergency arise there will be help available during recovery.
For example, after a fall causing a fracture, staff will check on resident’s progress daily, urging an increase in activity when appropriate. Neighbors will also check by frequently with friendly news and will be eager to get back to doing activities together.
Supportive living is exactly what it sounds like: lending support when needed with the knowledge to know how much.