Retirement Communities
A Deciding Factor...
When considering the many wonderful options available in an Active Adult Community, it is important to understand that these communities do not include healthcare services. If the security of on-site nursing care is an important consideration for you, perhaps you might consider Retirement Living Providers.
Communities operated by Retirement Living Providers can generally be characterized by the level of care available to the residents. The continuum of care progresses through assisted living and skilled nursing care, and increasingly includes memory care. All care services are provided directly to the resident within the community.
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Assisted Living
Assisted Living refers to adult residential communities whose residents require assistance with managing the 'activities of daily living'. With the goal of living with the greatest degree of independence possible, each resident receives the assistance needed to accomplish activities such as toileting, bathing, grooming and dressing. Persons with medical conditions may be accepted as residents, if their medical needs do not require continuous skilled nursing.
Assisted Living Facilities (ALFs) of today provide warm and enriching environments for their residents, often offering more than the typical comforts of “home.” Services and amenities offered vary by community, which can range from basic, essential care communities to high-end resort-style communities. In addition to providing daily meals and housekeeping, most Assisted Living communities also provide their residents with scheduled transportation, nutrition and fitness programs, as well as organized health and social events. On-campus features such as swimming pools, fitness centers, beauty salons, libraries and more can be found in many communities.
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Memory Care
Many Assisted Living communities offer what’s known as Memory Care, which entail services and care designed for residents with Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia. In those Assisted Living communities where this type of care is offered, the Memory Care residence is typically located in a private wing or in a separate building on the campus.
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Continuing Care Retirement Community
A relatively new option which is growing in popularity is the Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC). This model offers residents the ability to live independently within the community for as long as they desire or are so able, in other words, to age in place. The CCRC is the only option which provides the Senior this continuum of care through the advancing stages of age. Before entering, the Senior makes financial arrangements through a contractual agreement with the CCRC to provide assisted living or advanced care in the future.
Residents are afforded many lifestyle benefits such as transportation to appointments and shopping. Many programs are incorporated into the monthly calendar offerings such as social activities, educational opportunities and trips to local cultural events. Services within the community include meals, housekeeping, health services and emergency assistance.
As the resident begins to lose independence, he or she won’t need to leave the community, as assisted living is already available on the campus, often within the same building. By staying within the same community, the resident is able to maintain friendships and activities as they age, staying in familiar surroundings with the same quality of life. The CCRC offers three types of living environments:
- Independent Senior Living
- Assisted Living
- Skilled Nursing
As the resident's needs change, they are able to move within the community to receive the level of assistance they require. By staying within the same community, the resident is able to maintain friendships and activities as they age, staying in familiar surroundings with the same quality of life.
While the CCRC model may be considered by many to be ideal, they are the most expensive retirement option. There are many financial and legal considerations to make before taking the step to Continuous Care Retirement Living.
Visit Communities in Your Area
Access Perfect Homes Senior Real Estate Specialists themselves are terrific resources to help you discover the Senior living options in your local community. They are very familiar with the local Assisted Living Communities and will help you understand the differences between them. They will assist you with visiting the communities that appear to fit your needs. Your Access Perfect Homes SRES will help you prepare a list of recommended questions for the staff and visiting family members. This is a great way to get a firsthand look at what amenities are available and consider how they may impact the overall quality of life of the resident.
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