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Guide to Senior Housing

Senior Living Communities Explained

Being properly prepared for the future is a concern many seniors face as they enter their retirement years. And, with so many living options available in today’s senior living communities, it’s easy to become overwhelmed when starting the research process. Whether the decision to move is prompted by the desire for an easier, worry-free lifestyle or a need for some assistance with daily living tasks, it’s important for seniors to be as educated as possible about the different types of housing and levels of care offered. After all, planning for future needs helps ensure seniors choose a comfortable environment where they can continue to thrive.

Senior Housing Guide: Making the Right Choice for the Future

The first step to choosing the right senior living community is to assess any current needs, taking factors like physical capabilities, health or home safety concerns, and finances into consideration. Senior housing options are categorized based on the level of care available to members of the community. Some senior living communities also offer a continuum of care, where members are able to start in an independent living apartment or home, and then transition to a higher level of care as their needs increase.

The different types of senior housing options include:

Independent Living Communities

Moving to an independent living community is the perfect choice for seniors who are seeking to downsize their current homes and enjoy a vibrant, fulfilling lifestyle with their peers. Independent living for seniors can include options like single-dwelling or cluster homes, townhouses or condominiums, apartments, and even manufactured homes. In this living option, seniors do not need daily assistance with health care needs, but have peace of mind knowing that if they do, care is available right on campus. Plus, these communities provide a variety of services and amenities like exterior home maintenance or weekly housekeeping, daily meals in restaurant-style dining rooms, scheduled transportation to community events, wellness programs, and a variety of social activities. Independent living communities may also be known as retirement communities, 55+ communities, retirement homes, or continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs).

Assisted Living Communities

When seniors face an increase in their health care needs but do not yet require the high level of care provided in a nursing home, assisted living communities offer around-the-clock care from a professional medical staff. In this type of community, seniors are still encouraged to live as independently as possible, often in private or semi-private apartments that can be personalized to ensure a home-like setting. Daily services include assistance with activities of daily living like bathing, dressing or eating, medication management, and 24-hour supervision. Plus, members enjoy the same amenities as those offered in an independent living community, like social activities, weekly housekeeping and personal laundry services, exercise programs and more.

Skilled Nursing Facilities

When seniors require short-term or long-term care due to an illness, injury or following a surgery, skilled nursing facilities provide 24-hour nursing care from a highly-trained medical team. Skilled nursing facilities, also known as nursing homes, provide rehabilitative services like physical, occupational and speech/language therapy with the goal of restoring the highest level of independence possible. Engaging social activities, fitness classes, and well-balanced meals are also provided.

Memory Care Communities

These specialized neighborhoods for the memory-impaired are often located within the campus of senior living communities or assisted living communities. In a memory care community, individualized care and programming is offered from a staff that is specially-trained to care for those suffering from dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. Structured daily activities and 24-hour support are provided to ensure the highest quality of life for these special members of the community.

In-Home Health Care

For seniors who wish to age in place in their homes or return home following a stay in a hospital or skilled nursing facility, in-home health care can be provided to ensure these seniors can remain as independent as possible. Highly trained professionals administer post-op care and training, wound care, medication management, disease management, physical therapy, and assistance with personal care and activities of daily living.

Vibrant Senior Living Options and Senior Health Care at Advent Christian Village

Find all of these senior housing options and senior health care services at Advent Christian Village. We invite you to contact us to schedule a personal, guided tour so you can see all that ACV has to offer.