Independent Living in Portland, Oregon

Making the decision to move into a senior care community is never an easy decision, whether it be for yourself or an aging loved one. However, don’t make the mistake of thinking only nursing homes are available for senior citizens, because that simply isn’t true. There are plenty of senior living arrangements available that fit the wants and needs of seniors of all walks of life.

What are Independent Living Communities?

Forget thinking of senior living facilities as just nursing homes. Independent living communities vastly differ from other types of senior living arrangements, such as memory care and assisted living facilities. These differences all boil down to one simple fact: residents of independent living facilities require little to no help with activities of daily living (ADLs).

Oftentimes, the only assistance residents receive is help with appliance maintenance, laundry, or lawn care. This is in contrast to memory care and assisted living facilities that offer more extensive services, such as Alzheimer’s care, to address the level of care their residents need.

Why Choose Independent Living?

If your loved one is considering moving into specialized senior housing, ask yourself:

• Are they independent?
• Can they complete ADLs with ease?
• Do they want to live in a community with other active residents?
• Do they want to live life to the fullest?

If you answered yes! to these questions, an independent living community could be the perfect place for your loved one.

Independent senior living locations, commonly known as retirement living communities or senior apartments, may offer amenities not seen in other senior health care facilities. These amenities can include:

• Swimming pools
• Fitness centers and wellness programs
• Wi-Fi access
• Being within walking distance of local outings
• Offering pet-friendly floor plans
• A restaurant-style dining room that makes socializing easy

Such amenities are great for inviting children and grandchildren out for intergenerational activities on a gorgeous sunny day. All in all, for the older social butterfly, an independent living arrangement could be even better than living alone!

Factors to Consider

Don’t forget the following when selecting the perfect senior living location for you or your loved one.

Pricing

There is perhaps no greater consideration than the cost of healthcare when choosing a senior living community. Fortunately, there may be financial assistance programs available that can help ease the financial burden associated with eldercare services.

Medicare

Medicare is government-sponsored health insurance for older adults. Unfortunately, it typically does not cover long-term stays in residential care facilities; the program will not offer assistance for stays exceeding 100 days. Furthermore, Medicare will not cover room and board costs associated with independent living. In most cases, Medicare will not cover assisted living costs either, unless the state you or your loved one lives in offers waivers.

Oregon Medicaid and Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)

Medicaid is a healthcare option for low-income, disabled Americans. Depending on the needs of the insured and the state they live in, Medicaid can cover a significant portion of the costs associated with skilled nursing care services.

Oregon participates in the Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), which is a Medicare program/Medicaid service. It helps seniors access services they may need in most locations, including within their own homes.

Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs)

A continuing care retirement community may be the right choice for you or your loved one. Also known as CCRCs or life plan communities, these communities allow older adults to stay in a single location for presumably the rest of their lives. Specifically, it is a singular community (which may consist of multiple facilities) that offers a variety of senior living options, from skilled nursing services to independent living programs. The purpose of CCRCs is to adjust the levels of care residents need as they age without requiring them to move to a new community.

Floor Plans

Would a one-bedroom apartment fit your loved one‘s needs best? Or do two-bedroom apartments sound more appealing? Figuring out what sort of floor layout your loved one wants can make the hunt for their new home that much easier.

If your loved one plans to live alone and has minimal amounts of furniture, a smaller studio or one-bedroom apartment would be a great fit. However, if your loved one is a social butterfly and expects lots of guests (or they simply have lots of treasured keepsakes), a two-bedroom arrangement would probably be a better fit.

Independent Living Communities in and around Portland, Oregon

Moving at any point in time is stressful; moving in your golden years can be extra stressful. That’s why your loved one deserves a facility that does more than simply offer services and amenities. They deserve a location that cultivates a community.

There are plenty of independent living locations in and around the City of Portland. That means there are plenty of locations that can accommodate a wide range of senior citizens. Find independent living communities in and around the Portland area today!