ADLs are a routine part of life, but your ability to manage them may change with age. Modern living means you can trade in clinical living for concierge support. With personalized care in a comfortable, elegant community, you get the help you need without sacrificing a rich, active life.
Table of Contents
- Understanding the Six Basic Activities of Daily Living
- Assistance with ADLs in a Luxury Senior Living Environment
- Personalized Care Plans and the Vivante Approach to Wellness
- Amenities That Support a High Quality of Life
- Peace of Mind for Families Through Transparent Communication
Understanding the Six Basic Activities of Daily Living
Activities of daily living (ADLs) are the basic self-care tasks you do each day to stay alive and healthy. These tasks include things like bathing or using the toilet, and are essential for taking care of your body.
Healthcare professionals can assess your ability to perform ADLs to determine how much help you need. ADLs fall into two main categories: basic ADLs and instrumental activities (IADLs).
Instrumental ADLs
Instrumental activities of daily living are the more complex tasks that require planning, organization, and thinking in complex ways. These are skills that involve several steps or multiple items and navigating shops or other spaces.
IADLs are not always essential for basic physical needs, but they can enhance overall well-being. For instance, IADLs involve noticing errands that need to be done and carrying them out, such as managing medications, preparing food, managing finances, and shopping. As you age, you tend to need help with IADLs before basic activities.
Basic ADLs
ADLs, on the other hand, are the personal care tasks of your day. Some people find that these get harder with age or as their health changes. ADLs include six basic skills:
- Walking or moving: Moving from one spot to another, also known as functional mobility
- Dressing: Choosing clothes and putting them on
- Feeding: Using utensils and bringing food to your mouth, or chewing and swallowing
- Personal hygiene: Bathing, brushing your teeth, and maintaining your hair and nails
- Toileting: Getting to and using the toilet and cleaning yourself after
- Continence: Controlling your bladder and bowel functions or managing a catheter or colostomy
A person’s ability to carry out basic ADLs helps identify the level of support needed to be comfortable and live independently.
Assistance with ADLs in a Luxury Senior Living Environment
Needing help with ADLs is sometimes a part of aging, but it’s not always easy or practical to ask loved ones to become caregivers. A luxury assisted living community, such as Vivante, personalizes support, creating an ultra-comfortable experience.
Here, support comes as concierge services, much like you’d enjoy at a premium resort. Care and help are customized to your needs and lifestyle choices. ADL assistance is one of Vivante’s many additional service offerings, including daily check-ins, visiting your private suite to help with mobility, housekeeping, laundry, meal preparation, medication management, and other tasks as needed.
Amenities are also available for you to engage with friends and enjoy activities. On-site restaurants offer chef-prepared meals with fresh, inspired dishes, premium ingredients, and five-star service. You can have a fabulous evening out with your friends and family, all within the community.
Staff is available to help you throughout the day as you need it, but that assistance is discreet. Independence, dignity, and choice are our focus, which means we weave support into your routine without interfering with your preferences or your friends and social calendar.
Personalized Care Plans and the Vivante Approach to Wellness
The key to discreet care and elevated support is a personalized approach. You may not have the same needs or preferences as your neighbor or friend, and vice versa. That’s why assessments and discussions are so vital.
Vivante uses a customized approach, offering support tiers based on your needs. You’ll meet with licensed nursing staff before you move in to discuss where and how you need help, whether physically or cognitively, and we’ll create a care plan that meets your unique requirements. We also reassess regularly in case needs change.
For instance, you may start with help for the tasks that you simply no longer want to do, such as medication management. Over time, you may move from independent living to more ADL support as needed.
The care plans are designed to evolve as your needs change, and we regularly reassess your needs and use proactive health monitoring. We’ve partnered with Hoag Health System for our Newport Mesa and Newport Center communities, which gives you access to a broad range of medical care and wellness services on the Vivante campus. You can visit a provider onsite for at-home treatment and physical or occupational therapy while avoiding the stress of appointments and long wait times, commutes, and other transportation headaches.
Additionally, Vivante offers a Vitality Program where you engage in a variety of lifestyle tools to keep you mentally sharp and active. The program runs in eight-week cohorts and starts with some baseline tests. It offers a full calendar of activities, ranging from yoga and dance to brain games, book clubs, and meditation.
Personalized nutrition and exercise plans, as well as mental health support, such as grief counseling or emotional support, help improve your physical and mental well-being. These activities are integrated into your daily life, helping you stay active and engaged and potentially delaying the need for higher ADL support needs.
Amenities That Support a High Quality of Life
At its core, supportive care and assisted living are about improving your quality of life and creating comfort and safety. Luxury assisted living takes it another step, adding conveniences that complement your preferences and needs and enhance your overall well-being.
That starts with the basics, like nutrition. Good nutrition makes a difference in your health, but it’s also a cultural experience for many. Eating is a time to enjoy good food and conversation with family and friends, and Vivante believes in good food.
Vivante’s fine dining experience is far from basic, with fresh ingredients, nutrient-dense foods, and creative menus. The culinary team handles grocery shopping, food preparation, and cooking, while you enjoy chef-prepared meals in elegant restaurant-style dining.
That attention to detail also applies to your living space. If you’re going to move, you’d most likely prefer to move into a beautiful place that is appropriate for your evolving abilities. At Vivante, each apartment is designed with plenty of space to welcome friends and family while focusing on safety and luxury.
Suites feature natural light, high-end finishes, and large walk-in showers with safety bars. Each floor plan is designed with mobility and functional independence in mind, so you can age in place while simply enjoying the space or having the room for extra support should the need arise.
Finally, easy access to social events and activities helps you stay engaged and fulfilled. Vivante grounds feature entertainment for everyone, including movie theaters, indoor pools, outdoor walking paths, and courtyards. ADL support from staff can make it easier for you to stay connected to the vibrant daily life within the community and enjoy your days to the fullest.
Peace of Mind for Families Through Transparent Communication
Senior communities offer many benefits. As you notice you need or want some help with IADLs or ADLs, the help and comfort of a community like Vivante can bring you a sense of freedom and relief. It may also offer peace of mind for your family.
Part of that peace of mind comes through continual and open communication with family, care, and support teams. Vivante staff are committed to residents, families, and each other and are available to provide immediate help whenever needed.
Additionally, our communities have nursing staff on-site 24/7, with high caregiver-to-resident ratios to ensure optimal health and safety. Regular health monitoring and assessments help us find areas for extra support early on, to enhance comfort and boost overall health.
Sometimes the transition to an assisted living facility may be challenging for families and residents. However, we offer monthly workshops and support groups to help navigate the practical and emotional parts of the changes.
Finding Support in a Luxury Community
Things may change as you age, including your ability or desire to manage activities of daily living or personal care tasks. However, personalized care paired with luxury services and support can elevate your retirement experience. Get in touch to learn more about Vivante’s customized support.
FAQs
What are the six activities of daily living?
ADLs are personal care tasks essential to day-to-day functioning. The six basic ADLs are walking, dressing, feeding, personal hygiene and bathing, toileting, and maintaining continence.
How does Vivante determine the level of assistance with ADLs a resident needs?
Understanding ADL support starts before move-in. Our licensed nurses complete a physical and cognitive assessment and create a personalized care plan to address any specific needs. We assess ADLs each year, and the plan evolves as needs change.
Is help with dressing and bathing included in luxury assisted living?
Yes. Vivante offers multiple levels of assistance with ADLs, from dressing and bathing to medication management. Licensed nursing staff tailor personal assistance to your needs and prioritize comfort and dignity. Please note: All ADLs are an additional cost.
Can residents transition from independent living to assisted living at Vivante?
Yes. Vivante allows older adults to age in place and receive the level of support needed as it changes. That way, residents can comfortably stay in a community they call home without disruption.
