Define Your Senior Housing Needs
Homes : Your Senior Housing Needs
Senior housing options can be confusing to someone who has never approached the subject before.
Often the definition of a particular senior housing term is dependent upon the person writing about the subject. The reason for the confusion is that most retirement care and senior housing arrangements provide overlapping services among the various categories.
A commonly accepted term for retirement living from one source might be used for somewhat different services from another.
We have put together a primer outlining each type of care on RetirementHomes.com to assist you in defining your particular senior housing needs.
Choose one of the senior/retirement living options below:
Active Lifestyle
What is it?
Active Adult Retirement Communities, also referred to as Resort Communities, attract both retired persons and those nearing retirement age who wish to get a start on owning a place where they will eventually retire.
Whom is it for?
Active Communities are focused primarily on providing activities for, and services to, community members.
There are two types of Active Communities:
- Age-Inclusive (few age-restrictions for community members)
- Age-Exclusive (restricted to seniors: 50+, 55+, 62+, 65+)
What does it offer?
They may offer facilities and amenities such as golf, tennis, ocean views, a marina, country and mountain views, a country club, walking and biking trails, swimming pool, exercise rooms and a variety of clubs and interest groups. Many are gated communities that offer a high level of security and some have health care acilities on site.
In addition, they may offer a variety of other activities such as art classes, dancing, woodworking, ceramics, chorus, etc. They usually have a clubhouse or country club with dining facilities, and depending on location, a marina and beach. Residents may live in individual single-family homes, condominiums, town houses or suites in high rise towers.
Independent Living
What is it?
Independent living communities generally consist of homes, condominiums, apartments, and/or mobile and motor homes where residents maintain an independent lifestyle. Some independent living communities also include subsidized housing that offers rental assistance from the federal government.
Whom is it for?
Seniors who are able to continue living at home but need some help.
What does it cost?
Some services are free; a home healthcare visit can be $80.00
What does it offer?
Independence at home, but can be costly depending on level of care needed.
Assisted Living
What is it?
Senior assisted housing combines lodging and various personal support services, such as meals, housekeeping, laundry, and shopping. Assisted living benefits seniors who need regular help with daily activities but do not need nursing home care. Other names for assisted living facilities include "board and care homes", "personal care homes" and "supervised care facilities".
Whom is it for?
Seniors who may need help with bathing, dressing, medication, etc
What does it cost?
Averages $2,000 a month, but can be far more for high needs.
What does it offer?
A greater level of care while maintaining some independence.
Congregate Care
What is it?
A congregate care facility combines private living quarters with centralized dining services, shared living spaces, and access to social and ecreational activities . Many congregate care facilities offer transportation services, personal care services, rehabilitative services, spiritual programs, and other support services.
Whom is it for?
Seniors in good health who want both independence and companionship.
What does it cost?
Often $1,200 to $2,000 a month, yet can cost much more.
What does it offer?
The advantages of home, plus services like 24-hr.security and laundry.
Continuing Care
What is it?
Continuing care communities, also referred to as "life care communities", provide services specified by contract, usually for the remainder of the resident's life. The types of services provided range from housekeeping services to skilled nursing care.
Whom is it for?
Seniors who want to provide for health needs as they age without having to relocate.
What does it cost?
$1,500 to $5,000 a month. Most require an entry fee.
What does it offer?
Guaranteed care as a resident ages-at a relatively high price.
Alzheimer's Care
The decision to move a family member with dementia to a nursing home or other residence can be a difficult decision. There comes a time when the risk staying at home may be too dangerous for his/her physical or mental well being. Caregivers may no longer be able to care for a loved one, because of their own health issues. When considering a new home for a loved relative, families should consider what setting would best suit their needs, yet maintain the right level of independence for their changing abilities.
What is an Alzheimer's Unit?
An Alzheimer's Unit is secured unit for individuals with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia. Our goal is to maintain quality of life for esidents as their needs change, through the course of their disease. We recognize the individuality of each of our residents and strive to understand their special needs.
What is Alzheimer's
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive, degenerative disease of the brain and the most common form of dementia. It is a degenerative disease that attacks the brain and results in impaired memory, thinking and behavior. Eventually persons with Alzheimer's disease become totally unable to care for themselves.
Is Alzheimer's the only form of dementia that makes a person eligible for a Unit?
No. There many forms of neurological or degenerative conditions which effect cognition and function. Parkinson's, complications of vascular disease, stroke and traumatic brain injury is examples of processes that may affect a person's judgment, behaviors and memory. There are many forms of dementia, which may require 24-hour monitoring in a secured environment.
What types of facilities are available for individuals with Alzheimer's disease?
Both Skilled Nursing Facilities and Residential Care Facilities offer care for individuals with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia.
What is the difference between a Residential Care Facility and a Skilled Nursing Facility licensure?
Both types of facilities are able to accept residents with dementia.
Skilled Nursing Facilities are a medical model and are required to have Certified Nurses Aides and a licensed nurse on site 24-hours per day. Skilled Nursing Facilities have a social worker and activity director assigned to the unit. They are able to accept individuals in need of specialized diets and complex medical care.
Residential Care Facilities are built on a social model and have caregivers on staff 24 hours per day. A licensed nurse is on-site 40 hours per week and on call 24 hours per day for emergencies.
Nursing Care
What is it?
Residential medical care for the aged who need continual attention.
Whom is it for?
Seniors with deteriorating mental or physical abilities or great difficulty with daily activities.
What does it cost?
Average close to $50,000 a year.
What does it offer?
About the only option for those who need constant care.
Rehabilitation Care
What is it?
Rehabilitation centers offer many different services, including physical, speech and occupational therapy. Many who attend a rehab program have disabilities or ongoing medical problems, while others are recovering from an accident or a medical incident such as a stroke. Rehabilitation centers are often affiliated with another health care organization, such as a hospital or nursing home, although they can be separate, free-standing facilities.
A physician, nurse or care manager specifies rehabilitation as part of a patient's care plan and works together with physical therapists, occupational therapists, recreational therapists, speech therapists, audiologists, social workers, and psychiatric nurses as required to see that the patient's needs are met.
Whom is it for?
Rehabilitation centers provide specialized therapies to individuals of all ages, either on an in-patient or an out-patient basis. The goal of a rehabilitation center is to help individuals reach their highest level of functioning in daily life.
What does it cost?
Rehabilitation services can be paid for by an individual's health insurance, or through Medicare, if the person is eligible.
What does it offer?
Outpatient rehabilitation centers often consist of a group of therapists offering a range of services. This structure enables therapists to more easily coordinate treatment plans with one another and with other medical providers.
Rehabilitation is generally a slow and difficult process, but patients in rehab together are likely to build friendships and encourage one another. Choose a rehabilitation facility that provides the treatments you need in an environment that makes you feel comfortable. And be sure to check their accreditation.
