As we age, our health needs may increase, but our desire to live as independently as possible never fades. So, what happens when seniors start to need additional support with daily activities but want to maintain a vibrant, carefree life in retirement? The answer: Personal Care.
The Pleasant View’s personal care team allows seniors to continue living a fulfilling life by taking on some of their day-to-day burdens. Things like medication management, laundry, meal preparation, cleaning, and more. Basic tasks that take up time and can become stressful.
For Many Seniors, Personal Care is the Key to Carefree Living in Retirement
Jamie Reynolds, the Personal Care Coordinator at Pleasant View Communities, is passionate about caring for seniors and helping them maintain their independence in retirement. And she’s seen first-hand the positive impact personal care services make on a resident’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
“Taking the burden of many daily tasks off their plate while welcoming them into a vibrant community like Pleasant View can give seniors some much-deserved relief so life becomes more enjoyable.”
Jamie and her team are also on a mission to break the stigma of what personal care can offer. The idea of moving out of your home can be intimidating. And despite personal care’s focus on independence, many adults worry that taking advantage of personal care services means giving up their freedom.
“That’s simply not the case,” Jamie said. “Residents in personal care may come and go as they please. Some residents still drive and enjoy a full life on and off-campus. Our goal isn’t to hinder independence; it’s to help older adults regain some of their independence by bringing them quality care right on campus.”
A Community Within a Community
Personal care services also give residents the chance to build new friendships with other seniors, reducing the isolation many experience as they age.
“When seniors age in place, they don’t always receive the social interaction they need – sometimes rarely leaving the house,” Jamie said. “When they come here, they’re a part of a community of peers who become friends and share common interests. The strong impact personal care services have on the health and well-being of seniors is unmistakable.”
Personal care residents enjoy a full calendar of events and activities. We offer bus trips to the grocery store, lunches, and other outings.
“Our residents have fun and connect with each other,” Jamie said. “I love watching them thrive off the human contact in the building and on day trips. I think a lot of people don’t realize the amount of socialization that can happen in personal care. Residents look out for one another. They become like family.”
The most common comment Jamie hears from residents is that they wish they’d made the move to personal care sooner.
“Talk with your family now about what you want your life to look like in your retirement years,” Jamie said. “It’s important to speak up and make your needs and wants known so you can continue living independently but also receive the care you need.”
What to Expect When You Move to Personal Care
When a new resident joins personal care, the first couple weeks are a learning period for the resident and the staff. The personal care team takes this time to get to know the person, understand their routine, and learn their preferences.
“We can get a little annoying,” Jamie jokingly admits. “But it’s a getting to know you period while we develop the individual’s support plan.”
Personal care is provided on a sliding scale and based on an individual’s preferences and needs. While most personal care services are offered right on Pleasant View’s campus, there are a limited number of medical services that fall outside of the purview of personal care.
“If a resident requires a medical service that we don’t provide here on campus, we still make sure they get the service they need if it is within our scope,” Jamie said. “Once we get a doctor’s order, we schedule everything. There’s nothing our personal care residents need to do or worry about.”
How to Become a Part of Our Personal Care Community
Personal care is just a small step above our independent living service in the continuum of care offered by Pleasant View Communities. To quality, seniors must be 65-years old or older and be able to walk or move independently.
To begin the process, seniors must fill out a financial application, complete a doctor’s physical, and attend an interview with Pleasant View’s personal care team to review their health and medical needs.
The cost of personal care varies depending on the level of service. Generally, personal care is funded privately, but Veterans Affairs and long-term care insurance are possible resources for seniors on a budget.
“I encourage anyone interested in personal care to come into the facility and see it for themselves, talk with residents, and ask questions,” Jamie said. “Take a tour and see first-hand how we can help you live comfortably in retirement.”
We invite you and your loved ones to visit Pleasant View Communities and discover the benefits our life plan community has to offer. We’ll take you on a tour to show you the beauty and joy of carefree living and how our personal care services will be there for you through every phase of senior life. Contact us to learn more and schedule a tour.
