February 26, 2024
As the global population ages, it will bring both opportunities and challenges for senior living. The projected number of Americans aged 65 and older is expected to double from 46 million to over 98 million by 2060. It will be the first time in history the number of older adults outnumbers children under age five. In addition, older adults will live longer than ever before. One out of every four 65-year-olds today will live past age 90. These remarkable gains are due to improved public health, better nutrition, and better healthcare.
With many people now expected to live into their nineties or beyond, there will be many new challenges and questions to answer. Even though people are living longer, they are not necessarily living healthier.
The nature of the assisted living prospect has changed dramatically over the past 15 years, with even greater changes to come. The senior living industry, including The Wildwood Senior Living, will need to consider ways to adapt to residents with more complex and extended chronic care needs.
Some ways to adapt to residents with more complex needs include additional staff training. Not only will staff need the skills to care for residents progressing in their disease processes, but they will also need to understand how to quickly identify changes in their condition. Being proactive in this effort will allow teams to provide the care the residents need precisely when they need it.
Third-party vendors will be crucial to helping our assisted living staff be proactive.
The following will be crucial for caring for a resident population:
These vendors provide resident-specific care needed to help older adults continue to thrive in the assisted living environment.
Adopting various strategies is essential to effectively address the challenges posed by an aging population with increasingly complex chronic care needs. Flexibility emerges as a key approach. As caretakers, it’s crucial to remain adaptable to the evolving needs of residents as they age. This adaptability extends to accommodating the potentially heightened levels of care required, adjusting our methods to meet shifting demands.
Equipping our staff with the necessary skills and knowledge is paramount in preparing them for the care of individuals with more significant needs. Education serves as the cornerstone of this preparation, empowering caregivers to provide optimal support. When residents requiring a higher level of care join our community, I prioritize collaboration with their families and our staff. This collaborative effort ensures comprehensive care delivery tailored to individual needs. Additionally, I actively participate in daily caregiving tasks to uphold safety standards for both residents and employees alike.
It is more important than ever to take a proactive approach when a change in condition occurs with a resident. To ensure our teams recognize even small changes within residents, I am heavily involved in the day-to-day care. I talk with my team and have group huddles weekly. I’m involved, part of the team, and visible.
Once a change is identified, the next step is to discuss it with the team and family. Open communication is the best policy!
Caring for a sicker population in an assisted living setting is a challenging issue that requires a multifaceted approach. Aging in place is an important goal for an older adult and should also be a priority of the senior living industry. To meet this goal, we must ensure we can fulfill the needs of our aging residents.
The Wildwood Senior Living in Joplin, MO offers independent senior apartments, assisted living, and memory care with a variety of services and a range of floor plan options. Amenities include restaurant dining, 24-hour bistro, concierge service, housekeeping, events and entertainment, personal care, transportation services, and more. Centrally located near Freeman Health System and Mercy Hospital with convenient access to major shopping centers and attractions, including Twin Hills Country Club, Northpark Mall, Grand Falls, Wildcat Glades Conservation and Audubon Center – National Audubon Society, Spiva Center for the Arts, and George Washington Carver National Monument.
