Currently, over 800,000 Americans reside in assisted living communities. However, this term is broad in meaning. Finding the right options for senior care living can be overwhelming.
It’s crucial to review all of the different types of senior living options and understand their individual benefits before making a final decision. The goal is to find the right place that will help you live your best life while getting the additional support you need.
Let’s explore four options for senior care living and the benefits of each one.
Independent Living
You may have come to a time in your life when maintaining your home is no longer the enjoyable and satisfying task it once was. Cooking, cleaning, and mowing lawns are part and parcel of running most homes. However, as we age, they can become increasingly challenging.
If you are still in good health, moving to an independent living community could be a great choice. You will still be living in your own home, but you won’t have to worry about maintaining it. Additionally, how amazing would it be to have someone come in and take care of the cleaning so your home is always spick-and-span?
Independent living communities usually provide a host of other amenities, including:
- Social activities in an on-site clubhouse/entertainment center
- Fitness facilities
- Swimming pool
- On-site restaurant
While staff will be on call, you will not receive personalized medical attention or monitoring in independent living. However, you will be able to call a doctor if you need medical support.
Benefits of Independent Living
Reports indicate that 57% of seniors feel lonely, especially those who live on their own. Independent senior living allows you to retain your own home and independence while having a community to associate with right on-site. You can say goodbye to chores and hello to time spent pursuing your interests.
You can also benefit from amenities that help you get off-site. If you need to visit friends, worship, or go shopping, many communities offer complementary transportation services.
Assisted Living Communities
Assisted living communities are for older adults who need help with some of their daily living activities. Although they do not need 24/7 medical care, they may need support with tasks such as:
- Walking
- Going to the bathroom
- Moving from their bed to the chair
- Dressing
- Eating
Assisted living communities provide support for all these tasks. Staff can also take care of medication management, supporting people in taking control of conditions such as diabetes and hypertension. These residential care options generally provide a range of amenities, including housekeeping, laundry, and meals.
Benefits of Assisted Living Communities
Assisted living provides many of the benefits of independent living communities but with extra support. You can maintain your independence and enjoy life to the full in a safe, secure, and supportive environment. Every effort is made to help you remain as active and engaged with the community as possible.
Nursing Home Care
A nursing care home provides assistance to seniors who have more complex medical needs. To stay safe and as healthy as possible, they need ongoing care from skilled nurses and certified nursing assistants. It is time to consider nursing home care when it is no longer possible to provide the medical assistance you need at home or in an assisted living community.
Doctors may regularly visit residents in nursing home care to monitor their conditions. This allows them to update medication and put further support in place as required.
Benefits of Nursing Home Care
The major benefit of nursing home care is that you will receive the personalized care that you need. Every senior in these homes has a personal care plan created with their doctors. The nurses on hand will look after medication management, wound care, health monitoring, and diagnostic testing when needed.
A nursing care home can provide a sense of safety and security that you may not be able to achieve in your own home. Knowing that qualified medical staff are on hand 24/7 is reassuring for you, your family, and your friends.
Memory Care
In Texas, about 400,000 aged 65 and over have Alzheimer’s disease. This, along with other memory issues, may, at some point, require specialist medical care from qualified nursing staff. Memory care communities fill this vital need.
Memory care homes also take practical steps to keep people safe. This may include secure entrances and exits to protect those who may wander and get into difficulties. They also provide the structure and routine that is so important to people with memory difficulties.
Memory care communities also include a range of activities. These are intended to help improve cognitive function but also simply to engage residents and make life as active and enjoyable as possible. Friends and family can stop by and visit their loved ones in beautiful surroundings.
Benefits of Memory Care
The main benefit of living in a specialist memory care community is the well-trained staff. These dedicated professionals truly understand the progression of the diseases the residents have and know how to provide the care they need. This can give both residents, family, and friends enormous peace of mind.
In memory care, residents are not expected to manage their own schedules. Staff members provide regular but kindly reminders about eating, exercising, and taking medication. This helps seniors to stay as fit and healthy as possible.
Additionally, residents can receive regular attention from doctors who are familiar with dementia and other conditions. This means that their medication is constantly reviewed. Further support can be put in place as the disease develops.
Choosing the Right Options for Senior Care Living
Retirement can be a time of new growth and enjoyment with friends and family. Understanding the options for senior care living mentioned above can help you choose a home in which you can thrive.
At Conservatory at Champion Forest by Discovery Senior Living, we have created a senior independent living community that provides safety, convenience, and fun. Enjoy our resort-style amenities with the reassurance of additional support on hand 24/7.
Learn more about our senior living options and schedule a tour today!
