If you are looking for living options for yourself or a family member, it is important to understand the options available and what they include. In this article as look at a wide variety of housing options that are available to today’s seniors:
Senior Apartments
Senior apartments are ideal for seniors looking for low-maintenance apartments that offer amenities like housekeeping, dining and activities with people who are the same age. Senior apartments are an excellent choice for older adults looking for ways to enjoy the company of their friends in a setting that supports independence and where they can “age in place.”
Continuing Care Retirement Communities
Continuing Care Retirement Communities, which are also known as CCRCs, are retirement communities that accommodate assisted living, independent living, and nursing care all in one location. A CCRC is particularly appealing because they offer a full range of housing and residential services, and health care options that can change as your healthcare needs change over time.
The cost of staying in a CCRC is typically higher than other types of senior living, however, it provides residents with increased assistance and health care services. Having staff on site allows seniors to stay in the same location as their housing needs change over time.
It also allows spouses to stay very close to one another even if one requires a higher level of care than the other. CCRCs offer a wide range of amenities and services to residents. Some CCRCs are rentals, while others require both an entrance fee and a monthly fee.
Independent Living
These are retirement communities that often provide meals, housekeeping, laundry facilities, maintenance, local transportation, as well as planned programs and events. Some communities may even offer amenities like swimming pool, hot tubs, spas, exercise facilities, lounges, television and reading rooms and computer labs. Health care is generally not provided, although many communities allow a home health aid or nurses to come to an individual’s apartment to assist with medication and personal care.
Assisted Living
Assisted living communities offers seniors apartment-style living with a higher level of support than in-home care, independent living or day programs. Assisted living is usually a private pay, rental model that provides help with daily living, including housekeeping, exercise and educational activities, prepared meals, and minor medical assistance and administering medications. In some cases, financial assistance is available,such as VA Aid and Attendance benefit for war veterans .
Most assisted living facilities have common areas for social and recreational activities as well as a dining room for meals. Costs tend to vary according to the location and the level of care required. Nursing staff are typically available 24-hours per day.
Memory Care
Memory care facilities offer a special kind of care for those suffering from varying degrees of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease and are either stand-alone or part of an assisted living community. They are equipped to handle memory care and behavioural issues and offer things like enhanced lighting, visual cues, color coding, memory boxes, easy-to-navigate walking paths as well as secure indoor and outdoor spaces. A daily calendar provides opportunities for engagement in programs that offer exercise, socialization and entertainment. What’s more, care staff is available 24-7 to meet the health care needs of the residents.
Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
Long-term care, which is commonly referred to as a nursing home, is the senior housing option that offers the highest level of medical care. Long-term care centers have medical directors, social workers, rehabilitation professionals and nurses on staff that provide skilled medical care around-the-clock. Some long-term care facilities have units designed for seniors with illnesses like Alzheimer’s disease and forms of dementia.
A nursing home provides the highest level of medical care for seniors outside of a hospital. While they do also provide assistance in daily living, they differ from other senior housing in that they are focused primarily on caring for the health of residents. Skilled medical professionals including physical and occupational therapists and nursing staff are also available for rehabilitation as needed.
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