Freedom Pointe is not Your Mom’s Nursing Home – Here’s How We’re Different
If you think back over your life, you quickly realize how time changes things for the better. For example, take the telephone. You may remember rotary phones were followed by push button phones. Then came cordless phones and answering machines. Next were cell phones where you could call someone from practically anywhere. Now, today’s smart phones let you do so much more than just call someone. But if your only experience was with rotary phones and then someone shows you a smart phone and asks you to make a call, you may not know what to do.
The same is true with nursing homes. If you’re only experience with senior living was decades ago for your parents or grandparents, you might be surprised to see how different it is today compared to what you remember.
How Has Senior Living Changed Over Time?
In the early days, nursing homes often resembled basic, rudimentary medical facilities that provided minimalistic care, focusing only on essential needs with limited resources and a lack of personalization. In the 1970s, nursing homes received the unfortunate label of “park and die facilities,” and former Arkansas Democratic Congressman Senator David Pryor was quoted calling them “halfway houses between society and the cemetery.”
It was during this time the government attempted to control and improve the quality of nursing homes with requirements for better staff training, more comprehensive care plans and improved living conditions. But some residents and families were unsatisfied with what they were paying for, so the assisted living industry was created for older adults who needed some level of support without the medicalization of a nursing home.
Modernization of Senior Living
Today, the focus has shifted from merely prolonging life to enhancing the quality of life. The medical support aspect of yesterday’s nursing homes can be seen in today’s skilled nursing facilities, which offer short-term stays after a hospitalization or long-term stays for those with more advanced medical needs. But for most seniors who may just need a little bit of extra support with activities of daily living, assisted living communities offer a well-rounded, individualized approach that emphasizes comfort, community and quality of life. Many communities have a more homelike atmosphere with private or semi-private rooms, larger communal areas for social interaction and spaces for outdoor activities.
Plus, reflecting a deeper understanding of the importance of maintaining overall health and well-being, assisted living communities also offer programs that promote socialization, mental stimulation and physical activity. Advancements in technology have also played a role in this evolution toward better care with innovations like telemedicine, electronic health records and advanced mobility aids enhancing the ability of assisted living communities to provide high-quality, responsive care.
Assisted Living at Freedom Pointe at the Villages
At Freedom Pointe at the Village, we collaborate with you and your family to design a plan for your specific needs – including bathing, dressing, grooming, medication management and other activities of daily living. As a a Life Plan Community, our community also gives you the advantage of being able to transition seamlessly to other levels of care – like memory care or skilled nursing – if ever needed. Our assisted living services and amenities include the following benefits:
- Beautifully appointed, maintenance-free residence
- Innovative and flexible dining program
- Customized care assessment – initial and ongoing
- Fitness center and other community amenities
- Scheduled transportation
- Concierge services
- Weekly housekeeping and flat linen service
- Life Safety pendant alert system
- 24-hour security and in-home emergency response
- Expanded basic cable
- Utilities (except phone and internet)
- Wi-Fi access
See the Freedom Pointe Difference for Yourself
If you’re ready to start researching your assisted living options, here’s a good place to start. Or, if you’re ready to check out Freedom Pointe, contact us today to schedule your visit. You’ll learn about our personalized assisted living care program offering spacious one-bedroom apartments with kitchenettes and walk in-closets that are perfectly designed to suit your needs.
