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As seniors face the physical challenges of growing older, many of them enjoy a better quality of life when they have control of their freedom, feel safe and secure, and are recognized as individuals within a caring community. Due to the advancements in modern healthcare, today’s active seniors are living longer than ever before which, in turn, means the senior living industry is having to continuously shift and evolve as we strive to provide safe, innovative options to the growing number of seniors.
With all of the multiple senior care options available, it can be hard to know what services you or your loved one may require. At Caring Advisor, we know that finding the right senior living community is an important decision, and we don’t want you to navigate this journey alone. As a trusted leader in the industry, our caring team of dedicated professionals are here to answer any questions you may have as you search for a new home. Contact us now to get started.
Senior living is an umbrella term to describe a wide range of living options available to people usually over the age of 55 who have certain needs present themselves as they grow older. The different types of residential communities under the umbrella have varying levels of care that the senior can move between in addition to many services and amenities that meet their evolving care needs.
Depending on the type of senior living you choose, your facility may offer some or all of these care services below to some degree:
…Plus so much more! Senior living is just that — LIVING! It focuses on care tailored to meet the unique physical, spiritual, and emotional needs of the thriving older adult so that they can live each day to the fullest.
Senior Apartments
A senior apartment is one of the most hands-off senior living options available and is most often associated with a “retirement community.” Communities are age-restricted to people typically aged 55 or older, thereby allowing residents to be surrounded by like-minded individuals in a similar stage of life. Apartments usually come in one- and two-bedroom floor plans on campuses that offer senior-friendly conveniences and amenities.
A senior apartment community is ideal for individuals that:
Independent Living
Independent living is for older adults who are self-sufficient and seek a vibrant social community, but also may want access to amenities and assistance when necessary. Because residents live in a private studio or a one- or two-bedroom apartment home within a community of seniors, they can avoid the hassle of chores and home upkeep.
An independent living community is ideal for individuals that:
Assisted Living
Assisted living is for seniors who cherish their independence, but also need assistance with activities of daily living that they cannot accomplish on their own. In taking care of a resident’s housekeeping, laundry services, meal preparation, medication management, and other activities, the senior can make the most out of their retirement while also maintaining their autonomy. In recent years, assisted living facilities have emerged as the preferred housing “in-between” for seniors that cannot live on their own (like in independent living) but do not require skilled nursing (like in a nursing home).
An assisted living community is ideal for individuals that:
Nursing Homes
A nursing home is for seniors that need 24-hour supervised care and skilled nursing services. This type of senior living offers access to licensed physicians, registered nurses, and physical, speech, and occupational therapists. The licensed physicians oversee all staff members in order for each resident to get the level of attention and quality of care needed to guarantee their ongoing health as they age.
A nursing home is ideal for individuals that:
Memory Care
Memory care is for seniors that have been diagnosed with dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, or other forms of memory impairment. These types of communities provide a safe and structured environment with increased security measures to protect residents, especially if they exhibit wandering tendencies. Plus, caregivers are specially trained to handle seniors with dementia. Memory care aims to keep dementia patients engaged in daily life and mentally-stimulated through a program of wellness activities, such as cognitive therapies, music or art therapies, sensory stimulation, and more.
A memory care facility is ideal for individuals that:
Senior living costs depend on a number of factors, including the type of senior housing chosen, size of the living quarters, how many services are needed, location of the community, and more. Sometimes, it can be shocking for seniors or their loved ones to see the bottom line number; however, when you combine the total cost of living at home (mortgage, food, utilities, home maintenance, property taxes, insurance, etc.) with the high cost of at-home care (modifications to make the home more accessible, etc.), you may find senior living to actually be less expensive! Plus, there are a variety of options available to help offset the cost, such as:
No matter what your financial situation is, you need to start planning for you or your loved one’s future now before a medical emergency leaves you no choice but to make quick decisions. Eligibility for certain financial assistance or government programs depend on different factors, such as the state where you live, whether or not you are low-income, and more. Contact these programs directly to see if you qualify.
Knowing the right time to move into a senior living community is challenging because it varies from person to person and from service to service. An excellent way to approach this question is to envision you or your loved one’s life in five to 10 years. While assistance may not be needed at this point now, you need to keep in mind that senior care is about anticipating potential future healthcare priorities.
The beauty of having so many senior living options is that once you make the move into one level of care, it becomes easier to transition into any other level on the continuum of care when needs change and more assistance is required.