Lakecia Harper, Healthcare Administrator at Blakeford at Green Hills, recently spoke with OurParents.com about how Assisted Living communities are able to meet the needs of the disabled.
In an Assisted Living environment, older adults get the support they need with the activities of daily living (ADLs). As a result, they can spend their days enjoying activities and interactions with others, rather than becoming frustrated by their physical limitations. For disabled individuals, the ways in which Assisted Living can improve an individual’s quality of life comes even more sharply into focus.
How Assisted Living Helps the Disabled
Daily life holds many challenges for individuals who become disabled in their later years, as they can no longer do many of the things they could previously do with ease, according to Lakecia Harper, CASP, NHA, and health services administrator for Blakeford at Green Hills.
Those living with a disability can find daily activities from walking to getting a drink of water all compromised by their condition. “These affect one’s dignity and quality of life,” Harper says. “An Assisted Living environment can address decline in mobility and hearing loss by the design of their available programs, which facilitate positive interactions to increase mental health, psychological and spiritual development, meaningful activities, rehabilitative services, and cognitive and memory stimulation.”
Harper points out that the staff at Blakeford is trained to meet the needs of disabled residents, adding that professional experience and compassionate care is woven into everything the staff does. “All nurses and CNAs are trained in transporting, ambulating, and providing activities of daily living,” Harper says.
“Competencies are monitored annually through an annual skills fair, performance evaluations, and through observation. There are required trainings that all staff must complete each year,” she continues. “We also provide hearing loop systems for people with hearing loss and adaptive equipment for residents who need it. Blakeford also must comply with all ADA regulations.”
Additionally, Blakeford provides its residents with spacious rooms and services like supportive travel, group activities, spiritual classes, life groups, and rehabilitation, if needed.
Supporting Your Parent
Adult children have an important role in helping their disabled parent find the Assisted Living community that is best for them. “I would recommend that adult children have conversations with their parents prior to the need for an Assisted Living community,” Harper suggests. “Talk about their likes and preferences, and possibly visit [Assisted Living communities] with the adult children.”
Once their parent has moved into an Assisted Living community, Harper recommends adult children visit often and at random. “Meet their new friends, and then give them some freedom to get used to their environment,” Harper advises.
Such support will help the disabled individual acclimate successfully into the Assisted Living community.
This article originally appeared on OurParents.com on October 28th, 2016.
To learn about our Assisted Living community, visit Burton Court at Blakeford.