Senior Living Options

With so many senior living options nowadays, it’s difficult to decide which is the best route to take.

The following list breaks down the common senior living options:

• Independent Living Communities
• Assisted Living Communities
• Nursing Homes (SNF, Rehab temporary)
• Memory Care/Support
• Residential Care Homes (Board & Care)
• Home Care Companies
• Hospice Care

Independent Living Communities

These are senior retirement communities generally older adults often 55+ who are capable of being independent, but want to be part of a community that primarily focuses on serving the social needs of residents as many are able to live without much support.

Retirement communities may be costly.  However and could be located in a less than an optimal location, smaller living area, lack of diversity, cliques, and restrictive or excessive rules.

They can range from condo/apartment style facilities to gated communities with individual houses.

They can offer fitness and exercise classes and expand your mind with lifelong learning.

Some residents can also enjoy delicious and nutritious dining with neighbors and benefit socially from warm companionship and emotional support.

• Freedom From Daily Chores And Home Maintenance. One of the most sought-after perks of independent living is freedom from the responsibilities associated with homeownership.
• All-Inclusive Rent
• Delicious And Nutritious Food
• Privacy And Community
• Social Engagement And New Friendship

Assisted Living Facilities

These facilities support those who need assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs), while allowing residents to live as independently as possible.

Some drawbacks of assisted living is its cost as it is not covered by Medicare.

Assisted living facilities often include only a small number of activities in their base monthly price.

In addition to monthly costs, personal care services such as laundry or medication reminders are charged additionally.

These communities provide a more social lifestyle for seniors.

In addition to the monthly cost for housing, which can range from a private or shared bedroom to a full apartment, these facilities usually provide the following services: bathing, dressing, grooming, ambulating, transferring assistance; meals and snacks; housekeeping and laundry.

Some assisting living facilities also have memory care services in-house.

Nursing Homes

Nursing homes provide long-term medical care for adults with serious health issues. They usually cost more than assisted living due to the higher level of care.

Sometimes referred to as Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs),services typically include nursing, 24-hour supervision, three meals a day, and assistance with everyday activities.

Rehabilitation services such as physical, occupational, and speech therapy are also available.

Some people stay at a nursing home temporarily upon discharge from hospital.

Basically, in a nursing home, the residents are there as patients in need of medical care.

A nursing home is a kind of housing health care provider where young or elderly people are taken care of for certain period of time or even lifetime depending on needs.

Memory Care

This care option is a type of long-term care geared toward those living with Alzheimer’s or another form of progressive-degenerative dementia.

Memory care is a form of residential long-term care that provides intensive, specialized care for people with memory issues.

Many assisted living facilities, continuing care retirement communities, and nursing homes have special memory care departments for dementia patients.

Memory care generally offers superior results to individuals who need support with everyday life but are capable of handling many everyday tasks and functions unassisted.

Dementia care is more suitable for elders with advanced neurodegeneration who experience substantial difficulty performing everyday tasks.

Residential Care Homes

In California, board and care homes are senior living facility businesses licensed to care for 6 to 20 residents who need some assistance.

Residents typically do not require ongoing skilled nursing care.

A Board and Care is often a home that is occupied by a nice family or caregivers who live in the home.

In addition to providing room and board, these homes also provide assistance for elderly who are losing their independence and require care.

Board and care homes, also called residential care facilities or group homes or adult foster communities, are small private facilities where rooms may be private or shared.

Residents receive personal care and meals and have staff available around the clock.

Residential care homes provide room, board and 24-hour staffing assistance and care for the seniors with needs like dressing, bathing and medication management.

Cost-wise, the board and care option generally tends to be inexpensive compared to other other 24-hour senior care options.

Hospice Care

Hospice care is provided when there are no active or curative treatments being given for the serious illness.

Treatment during hospice care involves managing symptoms and side effects.

Palliative care can be provided while the patient is receiving active treatment.

Routine home care, general inpatient care, continuous home care, and respite care is often included in hospice care.

Patients can receive care for six months or longer, depending on the course of their particular illness.

Hospice care does not include curative treatment.

The goal of hospice care is to provide comfort and support rather than to cure the disease.

Hospice may not include medication administration such as chemotherapy or other medical supplements.

Hospice is a philosophy of care. It treats the person rather than the disease and focuses on quality of life.

Home Care

This option allows a person with special needs to stay in their own home and receive in-home care.

It might be for people who are getting older (aging in place).

It could also be for people who are chronically ill, recovering from surgery upon hospital discharge, or have a disability.

Home care includes any professional support that allows a person to live safely in their home.

In-home care services can help someone who is aging and needs assistance to live independently; is managing chronic health issues; is recovering from a medical setback; or has special needs or a disability.

The great advantage of home care is that the services can be utilized in ALL the senior living options mentioned above.

Caregivers from our agency can go to independent living communities, assisting living facilities, nursing homes, board and cares, and even assist with hospice care.

Our caregivers can assist you to maximize the freedom and comfort in your own home while you receive care.

Call us today to arrange care – let us help you.