Senior Housing Options Accommodate Various Needs, Lifestyles
Spending time with grandkids. Lunch with friends. Traveling to interesting places. Experiencing new things.
While aging comes with certain challenges, it is also one of the most rewarding times of life. And that quality of life can be achieved while enjoying any number of senior housing options.
Some of those options might mean downsizing to a smaller home, moving in with a loved one, or relocating to a condo or apartment where maintenance and yard work is taken care of.
If you or an older loved one is considering a change, there are many options. Senior living communities come in all shapes and sizes with various amenities, advantages, and accommodations.
Here’s a brief look at some of the most common options seniors should consider when circumstances dictate a possible change.
AGING IN PLACE
Description: When an older adult lives in their current residence.
Who should consider? Those who are still mostly independent and can handle daily tasks without assistance. They may still need help from family or friends with grocery shopping or other errands, but they do not need supervision at home, and it’s safe for them to be alone.
Environment: Some seniors who live at home still need a little assistance with cleaning, cooking, and other tasks, but it’s important to them to be in their own surroundings instead of a senior living community. They often hire help to manage those things while staying as independent as possible and remaining in their home. Simple home repairs or modifications may make homes safer, such as installing a wheelchair ramp, bathroom grab bars, or a medical alert system.
INDEPENDENT LIVING
Description: This is housing designed specifically for seniors and usually includes retirement communities, retirement condos, senior housing, and senior apartments.
Who should consider? This type of senior living is similar to aging in place and is ideal for older adults who want to live in an active community. While seniors in independent living continue to manage daily chores like cooking and housekeeping, they are free from burdens of home ownership, such as large home repairs. It allows them to experience community living instead of being isolated at home. In addition, independent communities are typically age-restricted, which is important for those seeking quiet and safe community living.
Environment: These communities look and function similarly to mini-college campuses, where residents of similar ages live together in a community that provides opportunities for socialization and shared spaces. The housing is centrally located, easy to access, and typically includes additional options such as dining, activities, and shopping trips.
ASSISTED LIVING COMMUNITY
Description: An assisted living community commonly consists of small apartments or suites in a congregate setting. A variety of services are available in assisted living, which are customized to your needs.
Who should consider? Seniors who can live somewhat independently but require some assistance with activities of daily living. Families and caregivers may explore assisted living for added peace of mind if there are health and safety concerns for loved ones who live independently or for those who have become isolated at home.
Environment: Typical services in assisted living communities include 24/7 staff availability, meals, medication management, bathing, dressing, and housekeeping. Most assisted living facilities have a dining room and shared social and recreational activities areas, which support the cognitive and social needs of seniors.
NURSING HOME/SKILLED NURSING COMMUNITY
Description: This option is for seniors who require around-the-clock supervised care with meals, activities, and health management.
Who should consider? Older adults in need of full support and assistance would be candidates for skilled nursing. Skilled nursing communities can be used for long-term care but are commonly used for short-term care, like after surgery or recovering from a fall.
Environment: Working with the physician of each resident, a medical director leads the care provided by nurses and other medical professionals on staff. In many communities, physical and occupational therapists are on staff, and other specialized services, such as ventilator care or dialysis, may be provided.
CONTINUING CARE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY (CCRC)
Description: Continuing care retirement communities are a combination of independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing care, designed to help seniors age in place.
Who should consider? Older adults who are planning for the future or in need of care now should consider a CCRC. They’re also convenient for spouses who want to stay together even if one requires a higher level of care, but the other doesn’t.
Environment: These senior living communities provide a wide range of care in one community. Residents can start in independent living and move to different parts of the same community as their need for more specialized care arises.
