What Is Assisted Living Really Like? Daily Life and Pleasant Surprises 

What Is Assisted Living Really Like? Daily Life and Pleasant Surprises 

It may be time to consider assisted living but you’re feeling unsure of what life will look like if you move. You love having your freedom, surrounded by the comforts of your home, but your day-to-day activities have become challenging. You may not be enjoying life as much because of the difficulty you have managing tasks independently.

What is life like in assisted living — lonely, boring, exciting, helpful? 

Many seniors have concerns and questions like these. In our guide, we outline:

• A look at the daily life in an assisted living community, detailing morning, afternoon, and evening routines, including available activities and support.
• The core values and benefits of assisted living, including its focus on maximizing the resident’s quality of life and providing peace of mind for their family, as well as how it differs from a nursing home.
• Surprising upsides that residents often experience after moving in, such as becoming more active, enjoying greater convenience, finding new friendships, and building bonds with staff who feel like extended family.

We understand that it can be difficult to choose this next step in your life — we’re here to show you the many benefits you can gain from transitioning to assisted living.

What Does a Typical Day in Assisted Living Look Like? 

A typical day at an assisted living home can vary depending on a person’s specific needs. If you require a higher level of care, medical and support staff will be more involved in your day-to-day activities whereas someone who needs less care can handle more on their own.

Morning Routine

A day in the life at your assisted living facility begins when you decide to wake up for the day. In the mornings, caregivers are available to aid you in your morning routine — getting dressed, bathing, medications, etc. Once you’re ready for the day, it’s time to head down to a freshly served breakfast where you’ll find residents to chat with while you eat.

Now that you’re nourished and have energy for activities, you may check to see what’s on the schedule for the day. You and a few friends may decide to take a walk outside and enjoy the beautiful weather before your 11:00 a.m. yoga class or card game. When your activity finishes, you may head to your room or apartment to relax before lunch.

Afternoon Routine

It’s time to look through the menu and choose what you’d like for lunch. While you eat, you may catch up with your friends and make plans for the rest of the day. After the busy morning, you can choose to rest and watch your favorite show before a scheduled appointment or activity.

Evening Routine

Once dinner is finished, you may decide to join in on some evening fun. A game night sounds like an exciting way to end the day. Laughing and socializing may be just what you need before you wind down and get ready for bed. After caregivers help you with your nightly routine and medications, you may choose to read or watch a movie until you settle into bed for the night.

If you or your loved one is ready to transition into an assisted living community you may begin your search with a senior living community finder. Explore the available options Senior Services of America offers to see which community feels right for you.

What To Expect From Assisted Living vs. a Nursing Home

A nursing home is more of a medical facility than a home. Older adults who require care from a nursing home, typically have medical conditions that require more intensive care.  Assisted living is designed for older adults who need assistance but not 24/7 care. It’s more of a residential community rather than a live-in medical facility. The level of care you are given is dependent on your needs and capabilities.

2 Core Values of Assisted Living 

The importance of residents’ well-being is shown through two core values of assisted living. The staff provides a safe and happy environment for residents through ongoing health and emotional support, social community, activities, secure grounds, and safety precautions and protocols. A 2024 Senior Living Satisfaction Study shows that satisfaction has significantly increased compared to prior years.

#1: Quality of Life for the Resident 

Creating a space where the residents’ quality of life is maximized through support and experiences is incredibly beneficial. Assisted living strives to provide seniors with a sense of community and purpose so they stay engaged and fulfilled.

Assisted living can contribute to a higher quality of life through:

• Nutritious meals
• Personalized support in daily tasks
• Social opportunities
• Physical fitness
• On-site wellness programs
• Housekeeping and maintenance services

#2: Peace of Mind for the Family

The team at an assisted living community places great importance on providing the residents’ families with the confidence and comfort in knowing their loved one is being well taken care of. Safety precautions are put into place for residents of all care levels.

A few safety benefits assisted living provides are:

• Trained onsite staff 24/7
• Emergency call systems
• Secure entrances and exits
• Medication management

7 Things That May Surprise You Once You’ve Made the Move to Assisted Living

#1: You Wish You’d Done It Sooner

After settling into assisted living and becoming adjusted to their new way of living, many people say they wish they’d made the transition sooner. The fear of change and the unknown may delay a person from moving into assisted living but, once you’re there, you may be surprised that it is exactly what you’ve been needing.

In 2022, over 1,000,000 residents lived in residential care communities with numbers expected to rise over the years. Assisted living is becoming more popular as seniors come to find the change to be a positive next step in their lives. 

#2: You’re More Active

Activities are resident-led, which means the fun you have is completely up to you and your neighbors. The staff is there to support and put together the events, recreational activities, and experiences that the residents want. 

In the past, you may not have had the means to pursue hobbies that interest you, whether it be because of transportation or knowing you’d need assistance in the process. Assisted living provides the help, opportunity, and encouragement to pursue your interests.

Having a schedule of programs to choose from is an easy way for residents to be more active and social in their community. Meeting other like-minded residents can make your hobbies even more exciting.

#3: Everything Is So Convenient

Assisted living is a community designed to meet your daily needs with convenience. Whether it be through caregiving support, transportation, social connection, personal hobbies, or having self-care professionals like hair stylists, manicurists, or spa-style services on-site.

The convenience of assisted living may come as a surprise that you didn’t know you needed. No longer are the days of waiting on friends and family to drive you to and from appointments or feeling like you’re asking too much of your loved ones. The onsite support and accessible amenities are what make assisted living a great choice for seniors who still like to have their independence.

#4: The Food Is Amazing

Some people are worried about eating not-so-amazing meals in assisted living conditions. It may please you to know that the meals are not only nutritious but delicious. Menus are created to cater to the residents’ requests. If there is a meal that everyone loves or hates, the staff will take the opinions of the residents and adjust the menu as needed.

#5: Your Schedule Is Flexible

Routines are great for stability and productivity but in assisted living, your schedule can be flexible. There will be specific times for meals, activities, and medication administration, but how you spend your day is up to you. You have the opportunity to choose what your day looks like, whether it be taking advantage of what your community has to offer or simply taking the day to rest.

Flexibility depends on the level of care that is needed. A resident who requires low-level care will have more flexibility as they can move about and do more on their own. Someone who requires a higher level of care will have less flexibility due to their need for assistance with more daily tasks.

#6: The Staff Become Like Extended Family

The staff are not only there to take care of your medical and daily needs, they are there to care for you like family. The compassionate care given by all levels of staff can make residents feel at ease and at home in their community. 

Through continuous daily interactions, residents can begin to build a genuine bond with their caregivers and the community’s staff members. You have the chance to get to know them as people rather than just employees and they will become more familiar with you and your personality, opening the path for you to become more like family — not just a resident.

#7: Making New Friends Is Easier Than You Think

Imagine moving into a community where you have many friends throughout your neighborhood – maybe even as close as right next door. Assisted living provides an environment that encourages friendships and the creation of a close-knit community.

Daily life is made up of opportunities and events where socializing is made easy. Whether it be through shared meals, clubs, classes, resident-led activities, or events scheduled outside of the community, residents with similar interests have many moments to connect and form new friendships.

How Can I Tell What a Specific Assisted Living Community Is Like? 

If you have found an assisted living community that fits your criteria, it’s best to take another step in discovering if it’s the right fit for you. 

Ways to explore the ins and outs of a specific assisted living community are:

• Social Media – Facebook and other platforms are a great way to see updated information and events that are happening at a specific community. When their social media is updated regularly, you as a resident or a family member can view for yourself how active and lively a community is and learn more about the details through actual experiences.
• Tours – It’s recommended to tour the community so you can view the quality of the facility and care and see and hear firsthand how the residents feel about living there.
• Respite Care – An opportunity for the primary caregiver to receive some relief from the duties required to care for their loved one. This is a perfect chance for the senior to try out the community before making the commitment to move in.

Senior Services of America: Encouraging, Supportive Assisted Living Communities for Senior Adults

Assisted living provides a way for seniors to feel a sense of independence and belonging. Senior Services of America operates several communities throughout the pacific Northwest that treat both residents and team members with the dignity and respect they deserve.

Are you in search of a community where you or your loved one will feel at home? Our communities provide a range of living options and care levels to accommodate each person. Find your new community today.

Disclaimer: The content in this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.