Advantages of Transportation Solutions in Assisted Senior Living
Leaving home for errands and adventures can do wonders for your mental well-being. It boosts your mood, staves off anxiety, and improves focus while providing you with new experiences.
Unfortunately, as people age, they tend to lose some sense of freedom for various reasons. Losing the ability to drive and becoming less mobile is one of the biggest barriers to going out as an older adult.
Luckily, a great assisted living community with transportation services can help your elderly loved ones maintain a great quality of life. Read on to learn the advantages of transportation solutions for seniors.
Greater Accessibility
Not every vehicle is wheelchair-accessible. Even buses and trains that are legally mandated to have wheelchair ramps and wide doorways are frequently not accessible to those with mobility issues. From limited seating to faraway bus stops to subway stairs, navigating public transportation poses many challenges for older adults.
Assisted living communities exclusively offer accessible vehicles for those with disabilities. They have special space for storing wheelchairs. Ample seating is available on board.
Plus, since they're made specifically for community residents, those driving the vehicles are well-versed in working with individuals who have mobility-related struggles. Seniors can expect compassionate care from the transportation experts who work with them.
Community transportation solutions also operate on a schedule. Residents can plan their weeks around scheduled outings on their community calendar. This makes transportation solutions easy for people with memory and cognitive disabilities and for people with physical mobility problems.
This makes transportation solutions easy for those with memory and cognitive disabilities as well as for those with physical mobility problems.
Less Stress for Residents and Families
When an aging loved one starts struggling to get into a family car, they may consider upgrading to a larger one. Some may consider getting vans with integrated wheelchair ramps.
Unfortunately, a new vehicle modified with adaptive equipment can cost $80,000, which is unrealistic for most families. Even those who theoretically can afford it will often struggle with finances.
Transportation solutions for seniors in assisted living communities prevent families from shouldering this burden. Families can rely on consistent and reliable transportation so their loved ones can retain a sense of freedom.
Multiple Transportation Options
Top senior communities in Edwardsville offer regular transit for their residents. If the bus to a local store conflicts with a community event your loved one wants to attend, there will be another bus soon.
However, chauffeured transportation is also available for individual outings. While resident parking is available for those who can drive, those who can't can expect complimentary rides to and from appointments or meetings with friends.
Freedom and Fun
Many older adults believe that moving into assisted living means losing their freedom, but this couldn't be further from the truth. While senior communities offer daily assistance to those who need regular help, they aim to promote freedom and independence as much as possible.
Transportation lets seniors get out and explore whenever possible. It nips cabin fever in the bud and improves health by getting residents outside.
Assisted living transportation means people can choose where to go and when, making life a lot more fun!
Residents will also be able to easily meet up with their families. Once you set a time to meet, they can book transportation to the venue where you're getting together, making socializing with loved ones simple for those whose families don't have accessible vehicles.
Social Opportunities
Transportation makes it easy for seniors to meet with their families and opens social opportunities within the community.
Maintaining friends as you age is a vital part of well-being. Friends provide support and companionship, and those who live in the same community can spend time together daily.
Additionally, friendship strengthens the immune system and keeps memory sharp. Seniors with strong friendships might, therefore, have a better memory than their peers and stronger cognitive skills!
Outings to shopping areas, fitness centers, pools, restaurants, and parks give seniors the chance to spend time together outside of their assisted living community. They get to bond over new experiences and inspire each other to get outside of their comfort zones.
They can also plan their own excursions with individual transit options, meaning that your loved one can experience strong friendships that lead to exciting adventures!
Prevents Isolation
It's easy for older adults to settle into comfortable apartments and stay there. They may figure that they don't need to leave since they have all they need in the community. Unfortunately, no matter how nice that home is, never leaving home can create feelings of monotony and isolation.
Easily-available transportation means that seniors retain some control over their own schedules. They can choose to leave when they get cabin fever or when they just want a change of scenery.
Easy Appointments
Seniors in respite care require near-constant access to appointments. After all, respite care is tailor-made for those who need short-term help while recovering from injuries or surgeries. There will be lots of check-ups with various doctors in a short timeframe.
Healthy people are recommended to visit the doctor annually for check-ups. Most seniors with mobility issues, aches, pains, or memory loss will need to go more frequently than that.
One of the biggest advantages of transportation solutions for seniors is the ease of going to these appointments. They don't need to worry about contacting family and scheduling their appointments around other people's calendars.
Plus, assisted living communities with transportation options promote senior safety. If an emergency arises, compassionate care experts will help them get to the nearest hospital for treatment, and can also take them to their regular medical appointments.
Beyond the Advantages of Transportation Solutions for Seniors
Now that you know some of the advantages of transportation solutions for seniors in assisted living communities, it's time to begin looking into senior care options for your aging loved one.
Addington Place of Edwardsville is committed to providing Illinois seniors with a sense of community and freedom each day. Contact our experts to learn more about our amenities and offerings today!