VIDEO: National Assisted Living Week

COLUMBUS, Miss.(WCBI)- Americans are living longer. The elderly population often needs a little extra help with day to day activities.

“This was a great change, I mean it was a big change to me, but it was one of the greatest. The people here met me with open arms” said  Assisted Living Resident Rachel Bell.

Before Bell moved to the Arrington at Plantation Pointe, she spent her time assisting others.

“It was something I loved to do. I would carry people to the store to the doctor, it was just everything. Go help them carry food, did a lot of baking for them. It was a big thing for me there which made it a little bit harder, I thought it would be harder, to move to a place like this,”said Bell.

Administrative Assistant Summer Owens says it’s true, people often have a misconception of assisted living facilities and what life is like behind the walls.

“Assisted living is actually kind of very nice for someone that’s lost a loved one or just by themselves or anything like that. They can actually come into our facility and live in their own private room and private restroom,”said Owens.

Owens say the most important part is keeping all the residents active and involved.

“We actually have a lady, by the name of Marie Hamilton. A lot of the activities that Marie does keeps their minds really sharp like puzzles, she does puzzle table, they do the bingo, so it involves numbers, it keeps them pretty sharp,”said Owens.

Bell says she was nervous about the move, but the staff at Plantation Pointe made her transition a breeze.

“It’s easy to adjust. The people here will meet you over half way to make you feel welcome, make you feel at home everything. The activities coordinator Marie, Jan, the whole staff, the kitchen and everything. They try and make it so great for us to be here,” said Bell.

Bell says she plans to continue to lend a helping hand to others who need it.

” I do know, I’ve tried to help people who’ve been less fortunate about that and tried to make them feel welcomed, try to help them, try to show them around, you know, could feel a little bit more at ease,”said Bell.

Plantation Point Arrington will be apart of the WCBI healthy living for seniors expo Wednesday the 27th at Leigh Mall.