More than 800,000 seniors in the U.S. currently reside in assisted living,1 and its popularity as a retirement choice isn’t surprising. 

Offering tailored care for seniors facing an array of challenges, assisted living can open the door to an exceptionally fulfilling lifestyle. 

Free from usual everyday responsibilities, life in assisted living can be filled with fun, socialization, hobbies, and relaxation.

What Senior Living Options Are There to Choose From?

There are four key senior living options in the U.S. These are: 

• Independent living, in which seniors live in their own apartment within a community for retirees. They may enjoy benefits like activities, meals, and housekeeping, but no personal care is provided.² 
• Assisted living, which includes meals, snacks, home maintenance, and activities of daily living (ADL) support.²
• Skilled nursing, which gives residents around the clock access to a registered nurse.²
• Memory care, which offers tailored support for seniors with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.2 Like Saguaro Ranch, many assisted living communities also have a memory care program (more on this later!)

Why Choose Assisted Living?

Assisted living can offer the perfect balance of practical aid, fulfilling lifestyle choices, and easier, hassle-free living. By offering ADL support, assisted living provides a level of care suitable for a wide range of seniors with varying needs. 

While some residents will need little support, others need a lot of help with daily tasks. This flexible care means seniors can often remain in their assisted living community for many years. As their care needs change, their care plan is adapted.

5 Great Reasons to Move to Assisted Living

1. Get support with ADLs. 

Competent ADL support lays the foundations upon which a healthy and fulfilling retirement lifestyle can be built. In an assisted living community, residents can access 24/7 assistance with things like bathing, eating, getting dressed, brushing their teeth, moving around (ambulating), and getting in and out of bed. 

Assisted living caregivers are experts in providing the right level of support for each individual; one that keeps them safe, while also encouraging independence and autonomy whenever possible.

2. Enjoy a fulfilling and varied social life. 

Senior living communities typically host social events for residents and their families to enjoy. For example, residents at Saguaro Ranch enjoy on-site events like live music, as well as a range of social outings. Previous group outings enjoyed by our residents include trips to farms and zoos, museum visits, and trying out local Tucson restaurants and al fresco dining.

3. Meals tailored to the dietary needs of seniors. 

Shopping, meal preparation, cooking, and cleaning can all become difficult to manage in retirement. Many seniors struggle to stand for extended periods of time, and others don’t have transportation to get to the grocery store. In assisted living, residents are served three delicious meals a day – no shops or meal prep required! 

Within a communal dining space, residents can simply enjoy nutritious and freshly prepared meals while catching up with friends. Most senior living communities can accommodate a range of individual dietary requirements and preferences, too.

4. Easier living with fewer responsibilities. 

Assisted living communities usually have a range of convenient home maintenance services like housekeeping, gardening, and laundry. Depending on the community’s setup (e.g., whether residents have their own apartment or a room within a shared house), these might be included as standard or available for a small extra fee. Essentials like utilities, cable, and Wi-Fi are also typically included within or added to an overall payment plan for extra convenience.

5. Helps seniors discover new hobbies and passions. 

With easier living, ADL support, and fewer responsibilities, seniors in assisted living have more time to spend doing the things they truly love (and discovering new passions!) Most assisted living communities host a range of activities for residents to try out. For example, Saguaro Ranch’s residents regularly enjoy activities like Zumba, yoga, arts and crafts, gardening, pamper evenings, holiday-themed activities, and even pet visits.

Will Assisted Living Accept Dementia Patients?

Yes – many communities do. In fact, 42% of seniors in assisted living have Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia-causing condition (e.g., vascular or Lewy body dementia).1 Some senior living communities are better equipped to care for residents with dementia, though, so it’s worth doing your research. 

For example, Saguaro Ranch’s professional caregivers are highly trained to provide memory care support. This means they can provide the specific type of care and diligent supervision seniors with dementia need to stay safe, happy, and healthy. 

Additionally, a dedicated memory care program allows residents with dementia to stay settled in their assisted living community for longer as their disease progresses, without having to move to a higher level of care.

Tucson Assisted Living at Saguaro Ranch

Saguaro Ranch offers a truly one-of-a-kind assisted living experience for Tucson seniors. Offering a range of activities and outings, medication management, compassionate ADL support, and compassionate memory care, our caregivers are committed to giving seniors the retirement they always wished for.

Our ranch house sits at the foot of the Tortolita Mountains. Drenched in the sunlight and beauty of the surrounding Sonoran Desert, Saguaro Ranch must be seen in person to be fully appreciated.

To visit Saguaro Ranch and discover why our Tucson assisted living community has been dubbed ‘one of the greatest blessings’ with ‘wonderful care’ by families, give us a call today and schedule a tour.

References

1. American Health Care Association, National Center for Assisted Living. Facts and Figures. Accessed August 22, 2024. https://www.ahcancal.org/Assisted-Living/Facts-and-Figures/Pages/default.aspx#:~:text=RESIDENTS%20%E2%80%8B%E2%80%8B,24%2D7%20skilled%20nursing%20care.
2. Van Dis, K. Senior living communities: Options, pricing, and differences. National Council on Aging Adviser. Published August 31, 2023. Accessed August 22, 2024. https://www.ncoa.org/adviser/local-care/senior-communities.