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As seniors age, there are many things to consider, such as finances, healthcare, and where they will spend their retirement years in peace and comfort. If you’re looking for a solution that takes all three of these things into account, consider assisted living for yourself or a loved one.
With many different senior living communities to choose from, Select Senior Communities wants to help make the choice easy for you by delving into all of the amenities and features that assisted living has to offer. In this article, find out what the facilities look like, who they’re right for, and what people of various ages and needs should expect when they make the choice to switch to an assisted living community. Find a community near you now!
Assisted living is a type of residential care option that is meant for older adults who cannot live on their own because they require assistance with certain activities throughout their day, but that does not mean that they want to sacrifice their independence as they age. Therefore, assisted living is a great option to balance a senior’s need for independence and autonomy with the security of having skilled nursing available only if the need arises.
An assisted living community is most often a large building or a complex of buildings with apartments designed with the seniors’ comfort and safety in mind. These facilities do offer a range of skilled nursing options, but that is not their sole intent; rather, the purpose of assisted living is to improve the senior’s quality of life through rich social activities with other residents in a similar stage in life. It caters to the well-being of seniors both physically and mentally!
Assisted living communities are not considered nursing homes; the main difference between them being that nursing homes offer skilled nursing care on a daily basis from on-site RNs, therapists, and other medical caregivers. On the other hand, individuals that choose assisted living facilities do not require 24/7 skilled nursing, but still have easy access to it should the time come. Nursing home care communities, also known as skilled nursing facilities, are considered to have a higher level of care compared to assisted senior living.
If you or your loved one don’t require personalized care services but still want to live in a community of like-minded, active older adults, independent living may be the answer you’re looking for. Click the button below for more information.
Retirement homes are considered a bridge between assisted living and independent living communities. For instance, most residents are able to live independently on their own but still want all of the benefits that a senior community has to offer, such as personal connections and maintenance-free living at locations near senior-friendly amenities.
Individuals with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia have different care needs and therefore do best in a memory care unit that has been specifically designed to meet these needs. This is why some senior care facilities—such as continuing care retirement communities (CCRC)—offer both memory care and assisted living, allowing the seniors to age in place so that they do not need to move facilities when their needs change.
Individuals that choose an assisted living community usually have a strong sense of independence, but may require assistance from staff members with activities of daily living (ADLs). Some of these activities include showering, dressing, toileting, eating, and moving around the house. Assisted living may also be able to help with more difficult activities, called the instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), including medication management, shopping, cooking, and more.
Assisted senior living is typically restricted to people starting at age 55, and it may not be right for everyone depending on the level of care that is required. Find a location and ask questions to see if the community is right for you!
[If you or your loved one don’t require individualized care services but still want to live in a community of active older adults, independent living may be what you are looking for. Learn more about why seniors across the United States choose independent living here!]
Most assisted living communities may have different amenities from location to location, but they typically offer many of the same basic services, including:
Other care facilities might offer some of the following:
Pricing and costs of assisted senior living can vary depending on a number of factors, including the location, which floor plan you choose, and which healthcare services you may require. Some assisted living communities require an entrance fee on top of a monthly fee, while others operate solely on a month-to-month basis.
There are a variety of options available to help offset the cost of assisted living, such as Medicare, Medicaid, long-term care insurance, drawing from a life insurance policy, and more. Whether you need short-term and long-term care, let us help you decide! If you or a family member are looking into living options for the future, search for the perfect senior living community on Select Senior Communities now!