Author
Dorothy Walsh
Researching retirement communities and care options for your aging relative or loved one may feel overwhelming as there are a lot of choices available. However, understanding the different types of retirement communities can help you choose a home that helps your loved one live life to the fullest. Here’s a short summary of the most common types of retirement communities:
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Active adult communities are neighborhoods, houses, or townhouses that are made specifically for older adults. In most of these communities, adults must be at least 55-years-old to live there. Residents in an active adult community are fully independent. They have no issues living on their own and they manage their homes and take care of themselves.
This type of retirement living community allows able and active older adults to live on their own but near each other. Many of these communities offer a wide variety of educational, recreational, and social activities.
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Assisted Living offers a special combination of personalized supportive services and care and residential housing. Assisted living communities are suitable for seniors who cannot function in an independent environment but don’t require the level of care and supervision offered in a skilled nursing community.
Most residents need some assistance with everyday living tasks, e.g. housekeeping, grooming, dressing, bathing, and medication monitoring. The staff oversees these things in addition to offering outings and social activities for shopping or doctor appointments. Residents are free to come and go as they please and have access to various amenities, e.g. whirlpool tubs, salons, etc.
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Many seniors in their old age realize that they have more square footage than they actually need. So, they decide to downsize to a small home. This has many benefits, e.g. savings on monthly payments, repair costs, and utilities. It can also free up funds to pay for at home nursing home or assisted living costs. Once an elderly decides to downsize, they may look at the different options available for retirement housing.
Senior apartments are the most popular option for such individuals. They generally offer services and activities that seniors would enjoy. Apartments also take away the stress and cost of caring for a home, e.g. exterior maintenance, groundskeeping, and interior care like appliances.
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Home Care, as the names suggests, includes a number of services that are delivered at home to disabled, recovering, or terminally ill individuals in need of social, nursing, medical, or therapeutic treatment. Some senior living communities have the option for the elderly to receive services while staying at their homes. This allows them to remain in an environment that they feel safe and comfortable in.
In home care, the staff assists the elderly in everyday activities like meals, dressing, bathing, etc. They also take them for their appointments and be there for them for emotional support. Depending on a senior’s needs, home care arrangements can be made for either short-term or long-term stays.
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Independent Living Communities are suitable for seniors who are still able to live independently but enjoy having access to assistance when required. Most common independent living services include medical care, dining, and entertainment. Hospitality services, e.g. laundry, meals, and housekeeping may or may not be included in the monthly rental but they are usually available.
Independent living communities remove the burden of owning your own home so that a senior can focus on their interests and health, both physically and emotionally. Independent living also offers lots of opportunities to make new friends.
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While some assisted living communities have memory care wings within their campus or building, memory care is a distinct care option for a loved one or patient with Alzheimer’s or some other kind of dementia. Memory care communities have specially trained staff to meet the certain needs of residents with memory loss. The staff can manage the unique conditions related to it. The overall goal of memory care communities is to allow residents, family, and staff to thrive in an environment that is secure, calm, and supportive.
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Skilled nursing communities are commonly known as nursing homes or rest homes. They offer 24/7 nursing care and rehabilitative assistance and services to their residents. Nursing homes are suitable for seniors who cannot safely reside at home. Nursing homes offer medically supervised care to residents that are either elderly, chronically ill, or disabled.
There are times when nursing homes are only used on short-term basis or temporarily to assist a senior be rehabilitated from a crisis, e.g. a stroke or a fall, until they can return to their previous living situation. Other times, seniors choose nursing homes for long-term medical care because of the level of support they provide.
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Palliative care is specialist care of the elderly with severe long-term illnesses, terminal or untreatable conditions. It offers help with pain management as well as various problems that affect people with the most serious conditions. By offering their unique services, palliative care facilities improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Palliative care is a form of care that focuses on relieving patients of their suffering and pain, unlike medical care, that has the objective of treating or curing the underlying conditions.
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Respite care is a solution that offers short-term relief for caregivers. This specialized service offers caregivers peace of mind knowing that their elderly relative or loved one is in safe hands while they get the time to recharge so that they can continue offering the best care for them. These arrangements vary from a few hours to many days or even weeks. Respite care environments vary from one elderly living community to another, but for the most part, they can be offered at home, at an adult day center, or on a senior living community campus.
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Most assisted living communities and old age homes offer short-term care as an option for your aging loved one. A short-term stay at a retirement home is sometimes required if your relative needs a place to recover from illness, injury, or surgery. Short-term care is also a viable option if you cannot stay in your home for any other reason, e.g. if it is being remodeled. Trained professionals take care of the elderly and assist them with 24-hour care, including helping with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and medication management.
There are several different types of retirement communities and each one is designed to accommodate different circumstances. However, all of these communities have one primary goal i.e. improving the life of the elderly. If you are not sure what type of community or care is suitable for your loved one, then it is recommended that you consult their physician so that you can better identify their medical condition and care needs and then make an informed decision.
