According to a study by the Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, one in four adults ages 50-80 (26%) reported visiting the emergency room in the past two years. Those ages 65-80 (32%), and 23% of those ages 50-64 have had an ER visit. Assisted living communities such as The Cedars can help prevent repeated trips to the emergency room.
As people age, they can develop chronic health conditions that need monitoring, could be more prone to fall and may develop cognitive decline or dementia. These issues factor into the reasons that thousands of older people go to the emergency room each year.
Assisted living communities can help manage chronic health conditions including diabetes, heart disease, COPD, and arthritis. Assisted living staff monitor the health conditions of each resident. In addition, daily or regular treatments are provided on-site, ensuring that the resident receives the regular care they need. Medication management is also an important part of assisted living. Many assisted living residents need help with the everyday management of their medications because they either forget to take medication or take incorrect dosages. In assisted living, medications for residents are tracked and provided at the prescribed times of the day, helping the resident to stay on top of their condition. Seniors who may have had to go to the emergency room because of a lack of care for their chronic condition benefit from assisted living communities.
Falls are reduced in the assisted living setting. Falls are the leading cause of death and nonfatal injuries for senior citizens and the most frequent cause of emergency room visits. The assisted living setting at The Cedars is designed with seniors in mind. Bathrooms provide handrails, grab bars, and low entry showers and shower seating to prevent falls. In addition, proper management of chronic illnesses and medications can help prevent issues with dizziness, or confusion that also cause falls and lead to the emergency room.
Older adults who live alone often lack nutrition. It can be difficult to prepare meals that require chopping, or prolonged standing. Many people also find it difficult to prepare nutritiously balanced meals for just one person. Those who are experiencing cognitive decline or other memory issues may not feel comfortable using a stove. In the assisted living setting, meals are provided and can be taken in the dining room with other residents in a social setting. Nutritious meals can also help with chronic health conditions. This ensures residents aren’t dizzy from low blood sugar or lack of food, which can lead to falls and ER visits.
Assisted living is the solution many older people and their families need to remain safe and healthy as they get older. The Cedars Assisted Living facilities are designed with safety and community in mind. We provide a safe environment in which emergency room visits are greatly reduced if not eliminated. Our assisted living community also provides opportunities for socialization and limits social isolation which is detrimental to people as they age. Schedule a tour for yourself or your loved one today! Call us at 620-241-0919 for more information or to schedule your tour.
