What do You need To Know About Senior Living Options?

hands-981400_640What assisted living means for senior citizens that need assistance with doing some or all of their daily lives is dignity and freedom. To give you an idea of what type of facility an assisted living is, it is somewhere in the middle between independent living and nursing homes. Independent living communities are for seniors that want to live on you their own, but who do not want to do the tasks of maintaining their home. And seniors get to be around other seniors that are of the same age and who share some of the same interests. These independent living retirement communities have several different social activities, community service and trips for their senior residents. Some independent living facilities will also provide meal preparation for an additional fee and other services and amenities.

What is the difference between independent living and assisted living?

The key difference to the residents that live in independent living and others that stay in an assisted living, are the ones in assisted living are not able to live alone safely, but at the same time they are somewhat independent, and they do not need the specialized care that will come with residing in a nursing home.

What’s the difference between assisted living and nursing homes?

The main difference is that nursing homes are set up to care for seniors that are too weak for independent living and who also need skilled nursing supervision. Seniors that are self-sufficient or who only need to be assisted with some of their daily living activities are a better fit for an assisted living.

Assisted living residences encourage their residents to be an independent as possible. There are some facilities that are referred to as continuing care communities, which is a combination of assisted living, independent living, and nursing homes. These communities offer seniors easier transition from one community to the next, if and when their health improves over time.

What’s The Difference Between Assisted Living & Independent Living?

If you are the caregiver for an aging parent, then there will come a time when you will start to realize that it is time that you consider moving them into some type of senior living communities.  This will be by no means an easy decision for anyone, but in the long run it will be the best decision for your loved one as well as yourself.  Now with all of the many different senior housing options available for seniors, how does one go about deciding on which option is right for an elderly relative?

Well, that answer will depend on a few factors, for example, if your loved one is not in need of round the clock care and they are still independent for the most part, then there will be 2 different options that you will want to take a look at which are independent living and assisted living.

Let’s start with assisted living, these facilities are designed for seniors that cannot live alone and who have some type of special needs, but at the same time they do not require the services of a nursing home that offers extensive care.  Unlike nursing homes that have staff available 24 hours per day, assisted living facilities only have trained staff on at specific times per day, but there is always someone there to offer assistance and to provide meal preparation and housekeeping.

Independent living communities on the other hand, are great for seniors that are independent and who do not have any special needs, but need to move out of their family’s home.  Or they may have their own home, but are starting to realize that it may be too big and they want to downsize and they want to reside with other like-minded active seniors.  Independent living is a great option for seniors as it gives seniors a homelike atmosphere that is comfortable and that is developed to keep the elderly active, safe, interactive and healthy.

You can find senior communities that offer both independent living and assisted living, that way if your loved one ever needs more care, they won’t have to move very far and they will be in somewhat of a familiar environment.

Assisted living facilities offer supportive services and housing for seniors that need assistance with completing their daily activities such as medication administration, dressing, bathing and more.

Independent living are developed for seniors that want to go after their dreams of retirement while residing in a socially engaged community with other seniors that live with purpose and that have a passion for life.