Senior Living Communities: Different Types You Should Know
The term “senior living community” refers to a specific type of community or housing plan customized to seniors’ specific requirements and gives them a high level of long-term security, health, and convenience. There may come a time when you or a loved one decides that relocating to a senior living facility is the best solution to age efficiently and ensure accessibility to high-quality treatment. Continue reading to learn what communities are offered and which might be best for you or a loved one.
Different Types of Senior Living Communities
Keep in mind not all retirement communities are the same. As you assess your or a loved one’s requirements, you must consider how the numerous types of communities vary.
1. Independent Living
Seniors in good health who do not need support with regular activities can benefit from staying in an independent community. Seniors can benefit from pre-arranged community activities, field trips, shopping outings, and on-site projects in the majority of independent living communities. There are no licenses or regulations for these apartments.
2. Assisted Living
People who prefer to maintain independence but need assistance with showering, dressing, cooking, medication management, or housekeeping commonly choose assisted living communities. These communities offer a less intensive form of care and assistance than a retirement community, but they can still serve each person’s needs.
3. Enriched Housing
In order to meet the long-term residential care requirements of five or more adults, mostly those aged 65 and up, enriched housing programs are created and operated in community-integrated settings that mimic independent housing units. The program covers everything from housing to food to personal treatment and supervision. Only government or nonprofit organizations can legally run enriched housing programs, and their financing systems differ.
4. Skilled Nursing Care
In contrast to basic care, which can be provided by anyone, “skilled care” requires the expertise of professionals with special training, such as registered nurses and physical, speech, and physical therapists. Skilled nursing care encompasses a wide range of activities, from checking vital signs and medical devices to administering injections and caring for wounds.
Healthcare specialists work together with these communities to provide services, such as monitoring patients’ responses to recommended treatments and promoting open communication regarding any health-related concerns residents might have.
5. Memory Care
Communities specializing in memory care are designed to assist seniors that are experiencing loss of memory or other cognitive difficulties. To ensure that their residents’ health and social requirements are met daily, these communities offer services similar to those found in a retirement home.
Memory care communities may be beneficial for individuals with different types of dementia because they provide specialized, continuous assistance and dementia elderly care to assisting residents in managing memory issues, confusion, and communication difficulties.
6. Continuing Care Retirement Communities
All levels of care, from assisted living to nursing homes, can be discovered on the same campus in a continuing care community. The residents are assured of “aging in place” or the capability to continue living in the same area even as their care requirements change.
Being able to stay in their familiar environments makes relocating to a nursing home less complicated for residents. They might demand an initial buy-in or an annuity purchase in advance, followed by monthly fees for services, luxuries, and required healthcare.
