Senior living is a community for seniors to reside after retirement to benefit from assisted services. There are several options for senior living available that are dependent on their health care requirements and lifestyle.
Here are the main types, and what you can expect for each one, including the advantages and who it is ideal for.
Independent Living
Senior housing, senior apartments, and retirement communities or homes come under the category of independent living. This option is one for seniors who cannot handle chores themselves but like to have their space, enjoy a social life, and a sense of community.
The advantages of independent living include:
- You have your home space still and are in an active community
- You need not worry about doing regular chores like cooking, house cleaning, and maintenance
- Socialize with other seniors
- Compact residence for easier navigation
- Staff take care of outdoor maintenance
Aging in Place
Seniors will continue living in the present home and, hence, aging in place. The address can be modified for any kind of mobility problems.
These seniors can obtain health care help at home whenever required. This is like a type of independent living but with a caregiver in their current home.
This option suits elders who can still manage a lot of home tasks themselves. A caregiver can assist with their health care and regular health needs.
The advantages of aging in place are:
- Seniors continue to have their independence
- Cheaper than assisted living
- Services and different suitable programs help seniors stay in their current home for as long as they wish
- Meal delivery, cleaning, home care, etc. are available as part of ADL, which stands for activities of daily living
- Home can be set up with grab bars in the washroom, wheelchair ramp, and health emergency alert system
Assisted Living
Assisted living communities help with IADL (instrumental daily living activities). These tasks include bathing, cooking, laundry, housekeeping, transport to doctor’s place, and cleaning.
Depending on the specific facility, it may also include medication reminders. However, the family may still need to provide extra health care help.
The senior typically has a semi-private bath and bedrooms, while all other areas are shared with other residents. There are some on-site entertainment and beauty venues.
This choice is right for many seniors who require assistance with necessary daily activities. Among the benefits of assisted living are:
- Professional help every day with bathing, meal prep, etc.
- Be part of a great residential community like Belmont Village Senior Living
- Local and state-regulated
- Recreational and group activities for social interaction
Nursing Homes
Nursing homes provide a lot of medical care. This type of senior living is almost like assisted living and includes 24 hours of supervision, medical care, and medicine management.
Seniors who require medical care around the clock, have complex medical issues, and suffer from other mental illnesses might consider this living option.
The nursing home advantages include:
- Receive medical care for complex issues
- Licensed facilities with regulations by local and state agencies to ensure proper care
- Occupational and physical therapists are available
Other Senior Living Options
Among the other types of senior housing available are:
- Residential-care homes
- CCRC-continuing-care retirement communities
- Age-restricted communities
- Respite care
- Memory care facilities
- Hospice
Last Words
With so many senior living options, the choices can be overwhelming. By seeing the types in list form, as shown above, you can start to decide which one is ideal for you or a loved one. Getting proper care helps to make this later stage in life a more enjoyable one.
