Senior Living
There are several senior living opportunities, including senior apartments, assisted living, nursing homes, and retirement communities. Additionally, some senior citizens choose to remain at home. With so many options to choose from, it is worth taking the time to learn about each housing opportunity for seniors.Once you know your housing choices, you can choose between popular communities, such as Sunrise Senior Living and Five Star Senior Living. Many communities, such as Five Star, offer more than one type of senior housing. Therefore, it is essential to learn about the services for each kind of housing to make an informed decision.
The Most Common Types of Senior Living
There are several types of senior living options and communities, including:
- Staying at home independently.
- Independent senior living and senior apartments.
- Assisted living facilities.
- Retirement communities.
Senior Living and Staying at Home
Some seniors decide to stay at home and continue to live independently. While this may not be an option for everyone, staying at home does provide some benefits, including:
- Familiarity.
- Nearby friends and family.
- Lack of change.
The most crucial factor in choosing to remain at home is whether or not you are capable of doing so. Many seniors retain most, if not all of their independence. However, some seniors, particularly those with chronic health conditions, may need extra help.
While this type of senior living has its perks, it is not without its drawbacks. When deciding whether or not to stay at home, you should also ask yourself if you have a sense of community at home. Do you get lonely? One of the best benefits that other senior housing options have to offer is a greater sense of community and a wealth of social activities.
Independent Senior Living and Senior Apartments
Independent senior living, also known as senior apartments, are communities of senior citizens that live independently. These communities do not usually offer the types of services that you can find in assisted living facilities and nursing homes.
However, an independent senior living community may offer benefits such as:
- Meal services.
- Security.
- Transportation services.
- Community activities and social gatherings.
- Safety features in apartments to accommodate disability or problems with mobility.
This form of senior living may host other types of amenities that are found in typical apartments, such as pet-friendly units, furnished units, laundry on-site, and more.
Assisted Senior Living Facilities
Assisted living facilities are another excellent option for senior citizens. Assisted living facilities, such as Sunrise Senior Living, offer some medical services in apartment-style living. Most facilities allow seniors to live primarily independently with some assistance on as-needed basis. An assisted living facility may offer services such as:
- Meal services.
- Medication reminders.
- Transportation services.
- Housekeeping and laundry services.
- Community activities, including exercise, craft, and other social activities.
- Assistance with daily tasks, including dressing, eating, and bathing.
- 24/7 access to care.
Senior Living in Nursing Homes
If you are looking for senior living opportunities where a lot of medical care is provided, a nursing home may be the best option for you. Nursing homes are capable of providing more intensive, around-the-clock care compared to assisted living facilities.
Nursing homes employ licensed physicians and nurses to help provide care. This form of housing is generally ideal for senior citizens who have chronic, critical, or worsening conditions that may impair their ability to live independently.
Nursing homes also provide community activities for residents. Residents may have their own room, or they may have shared rooms, depending on the nursing home.
Senior Living and Retirement Communities
Finally, senior living in a retirement community commonly provides options for independent living, assisted living, and nursing homes. These communities are usually able to move residents to different types of facilities should they need a higher level of care. For example, a resident may choose to live in an assisted living facility while they can live more independently and then live in a nursing home once required.
While retirement communities can offer all of the benefits of other senior housing options, these communities are commonly the most expensive option. Seniors typically must pay for services upfront or at renewable contract periods.
