Understanding Senior Living Options
Posted by Donna Mae Scheib on October 24, 2016
Understanding Senior Living Options
How to make the best senior living choices for your aging loved ones.
There is a broad range of senior living options available today. It can be confusing to navigate all of the options and differentiate between the terminologies used if you’re unfamiliar with senior care. The primary differences between these facilities lie in the level of care provided, both medically and in daily living activities.
When researching senior housing options for your loved one, it’s important to understand exactly which services and amenities each type of facility offers. Below are some key senior living options to choose from.
Independent Living
Independent living facilities are housing arrangements designed exclusively for seniors. Also referred to as retirement communities or senior apartments, independent living facilities can be comprised of apartment complexes, condominiums, or single-family homes. Independent living facilities are senior-friendly because they are compact and easy to navigate. Independent living facilities may offer the following services and amenities:
- Meals
- Housekeeping
- Maintenance
- Laundry facilities
- Swimming pool
- Exercise facility
- Reading room
- Lounge
- Computer lab
Independent living facilities are perfectly suited to seniors who are still active and don’t need a lot of assistance with daily living activities. They typically offer plenty of activity options on-site and require minimal maintenance and up-keep.
Independent living is a good choice for seniors who want to be surrounded by others their age in a setting that supports independence. Although health care is not generally provided at independent living facilities, there might be a home health aide or nurse available to assist with administering medication or some other personal care tasks.
Assisted Living
Assisted living communities to provide a higher level of support than in-home care or independent living facilities. Seniors receive help with activities of daily living, such as medications, dressing, and bathing. These communities typically consist of apartment-style living quarters with a dining room, common area, and small kitchen. There is staff available 24/7. Assisted living is suited to seniors who need healthcare support but not the level of around-the-clock care and supervision provided at a nursing home.
Memory Care
Memory care facilities can be part of an assisted living facility or be a standalone community. Memory care facilities are tailored specifically to those with dementia. They provide long-term, specialized care for seniors with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.
The environment at memory care facilities is designed to reduce the risk of wandering and other behaviors commonly associated with dementia. Hallways and other building features are often color-coded to make the facilities easier to navigate and to reduce anxiety.
Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation
Skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers, also known as long-term care facilities or nursing homes, offer the highest level of medical care of all senior living options. Long-term care facilities often have doctors, nurses, social workers, and rehabilitation professionals on staff to provide medical care around the clock. Some long-term care facilities also have units designed specifically for seniors with particular conditions, such as Alzheimer’s.
Skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers are appropriate for seniors whose health and personal care needs have become too demanding to manage at an assisted living or independent living community. Nursing homes are also a good choice for those who need rehabilitative care on a short-term basis after hospitalization. For example, after being hospitalized for a medical procedure, an aging parent can stay at a skilled nursing facility to receive physical therapy and other services to support his rehabilitation and recovery.
Continuing Care
Continuing care facilities offer a full range of senior residential services and healthcare options in a single location, including independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing care. This enables seniors to stay in one place as their needs change over time. It also allows married couples to stay in the same location, even if one requires a higher level of care than the other.
Find a Senior Living Community Near You
For more information about different senior care options in your local area, check out Senior Living Link’s senior living directory! Senior Living Link is available to you at no cost and lists facilities nationwide, in locations like Washington, California, Florida, New York, Texas, Virginia, and more.
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