Did you know there are nearly 19,000 retirement communities in the USA today? With so many options available, the type of service, care, and assistance a person can get varies immensely.
Some places give residents as much independence as possible. On the other side of the spectrum are places that offer assistance with almost any task you can think of. There are also many senior living options in between these two extremes.
Choosing the best option for your needs can help you enjoy your retirement to the fullest. Learn more about different senior living options in this quick guide.
Independent living options come in many different forms (retirement homes, retirement villages, senior apartments, etc.). The feature that all of these sub-types share is that they prioritize privacy, freedom, and autonomy for their residents. Why would you need such a community if you're already getting all that at home?
Firstly, independent living communities are built in a condo or village format designed to make socializing more accessible for the residents. These options can also include amenities like game areas, common rooms, cafeterias, and exercise centers.
Residents get full use of amenities and can participate in group activities hosted in these venues. These are especially useful for newer residents as they can help them adjust to the new location and community.
Secondly, the community's staff takes care of cleaning, maintenance, and even some cooking for the residents. This is ideal for people who grow tired of unending indoor and outdoor housework and maintenance. Residents get to sit back and relax for more hours a week rather than periodically cleaning gutters, taking out the trash, and scrubbing floors.
Most senior living communities charge a monthly rental (although some communities may allow you to purchase), and the lowest average cost can be as little as $1,650 per month. Low-income options are also available for folks who really cannot afford that much.
Assisted living communities help their residents with their day-to-day activities. Residents receive help with various tasks, including things as everyday as:
Many assisted living communities have staff who can accompany residents whenever needed. This constant assistance can even extend beyond the community's grounds. Staff could just as readily help residents with shopping or do it on their behalf.
As involved as this level of care is, it doesn't quite reach the level of care and monitoring you'd find with memory care or nursing homes. However, it far exceeds what you'd expect from independent living options.
Most assisted living communities also have communal areas for dining and recreation. Residents get to socialize among themselves and visit with family whenever they like.
Assisted living options work best for people who are mentally independent but need physical help. They cater to those who still want the freedom to dictate their terms but face physical challenges when interacting with the world. The level of care helps remove the physical barriers and allows them to chart their course.
Unfortunately, the monthly costs of assisted living are higher because of the near 24/7 care and extra services. The good news is that costs can be offset in various ways.
Firstly, there are always many living options that a person can choose from. If apartment or condo-style accommodations are too pricey, there are always suite options that are much more affordable.
Secondly, plenty of social assistance is available for people who need it. This includes senior discounts, medical care tax breaks, and certain grants for which the person may be eligible. It's essential to research all these options well to see if assisted living could be made more affordable.
Nursing homes or skilled nursing services offer housing and care for people with chronic conditions and extreme needs. The level of care is much higher than assisted living, as it often includes control of medication, long-term care for chronic patients, medical supervision, and advanced nursing services.
The costs involved tend to be higher than any other senior living arrangement. This is due to the high level of care at the hands of highly trained nurses and even doctors. People who need this level of care do get some social assistance if they can't afford to pay for themselves.
Nursing homes should not be confused with respite care. Respite care is a short-term service to help people recover from surgeries or injuries.
Memory care homes are the closest in operation to traditional nursing homes, practically speaking. The difference is that where nursing homes serve older adults with all kinds of advanced and chronic conditions, memory care homes are only geared toward memory-related conditions (e.g., Alzheimer's and dementia).
Dealing with the slow march of Alzheimer's or dementia becomes increasingly difficult for families. The erratic behavior these conditions cause can become overwhelming for family members. Sufferers of these conditions can become aggressive, despondent, or can wander into dangerous situations in addition to the common forgetfulness symptom.
Memory care communities are equipped to handle these conditions. They offer specialized 24-hour care designed to meet these challenges head-on.
They have heightened monitoring to make sure residents don't wander off. They also make sure the environment is safe for all the residents.
Memory care includes the distribution and control of medication. These communities also often have programs to help support their residents emotionally and engage their minds as much as possible to blunt the effects of memory-related diseases.
Senior citizens can have a wide range of needs during retirement, and there are specialized senior living options for each constellation of needs. Independent living is for people with relatively few personal needs who are just looking for somewhere to be more relaxed. Assisted living, skilled nursing, and memory care are for seniors who need increasingly specialized help and care.
Lakehouse Three Rivers offers some of the best assisted living and respite care in Michigan. If you or your family want the care and comfort you deserve, contact us today for a retirement environment that offers a sense of belonging.