Survey Shows Seniors Feel Safe And Satisfied With Assisted Living

By Tim Watt/Sun Rise Senior Living

The decision to move into an assisted living facility is often difficult for older adults. Some may see it as a loss of independence, while others might worry that they will be less safe without their family caregivers by their side. Seniors who have made the transition into assisted living, however, seem to find that these concerns are unfounded. A new survey from the Assisted Living Federation of America shows that the overwhelming majority of seniors in assisted living are happy and secure in their community.

Safe, satisfied seniors

ALFA surveyed 500 seniors in assisted living across the nation to determine the results of the study, asking them about their overall quality of life and satisfaction with the senior living option. The results of the poll should be encouraging for older adults who are considering making a switch to this lifestyle.

"Every morning, close to a million American seniors wake up in their assisted living community, have an active and engaging day in a safe, independent and social environment, and go to sleep that night eager to greet a new day," said ALFA president Rick Grimes. "That fact may not make a sensational headline, but it's the reality of assisted living."

When it comes to quality of life in assisted living, 94 percent of those surveyed said they were satisfied. Around 93 percent of older adults surveyed said they were also satisfied with the level of personal independence they feel and the attention they receive from their community's staff. Quality of care received a 93 percent satisfaction rate, while 87 percent of older adults said they felt the workers at their facility were qualified and well-trained.

Choosing assisted living
Assisted living refers to a lifestyle that allows older adults to remain independent while still having access to medical professionals around the clock to help them with any daily needs they may have, such as bathing, cooking or managing medications. These communities also offer social activities like exercise classes, book clubs and cooking courses to help seniors stay engaged and active.

Every assisted living community is a little different, which is why older adults should visit different programs in their region to meet with staff and residents. This will help them make an informed decision and feel confident about this exciting new chapter in life.