Different Options For Senior Independent Living
Living alone can increase a senior’s risk for isolation and health complications. Independent living communities are designed to connect seniors with others in their age group for social activities and community services.
Many independent living properties include utilities and access to amenities in their monthly price. They also typically offer transportation services and housekeeping and laundry services.
Independent Living
Independent living communities are made for senior citizens who desire the safety and sense of community that come with living in a senior community but don’t require ongoing access to healthcare or assistance with everyday tasks.
These communities typically offer amenities and services like meals, laundry, transportation, beauty/barber salons, housekeeping, and more.
Residents of independent living communities pay a monthly fee for rent and the cost of their chosen services and amenities. They may choose to cover this expense using income from a life insurance policy, the sale of their home, pension and Social Security benefits, or other personal funds.
In addition to the financial benefits of independent living, many seniors find it easier to connect with friends when they live in a senior community setting like The Villas, which offers regular socialization opportunities like group activities, resident-led clubs and excursions.
It helps to prevent loneliness and isolation later in life. Depending on the community, it might offer other conveniences and services like a restaurant, grocery store, theater tickets and travel plans.
Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs)
CCRCs, sometimes called “life plan communities,” are designed to give seniors the independence they desire while allowing them to know help is available on-site should their needs change.
Most CCRCs feature independent living, assisted living and skilled nursing facilities on the same campus, with each level of care offering distinct housing options, services and amenities.
Many CCRCs focus on helping residents stay as self-reliant as possible through providing on-site lifestyle services and activities like beauty salons, barbershops, banks, fitness centers and retail stores. It allows seniors to enjoy what they love to do without worrying about chores like shoveling snow or mowing the lawn.
Often, CCRCs offer a contract that combines independent living and future health care costs into one package with a lower initial fee. This type of agreement typically provides a refund percentage or other arrangement of payments if a resident needs higher levels of care.
Assisted Living
Independent living (also known as 55+, active adult or senior communities) allows older adults to trade the worries of homeownership for the convenience of a community lifestyle.
With housekeeping, meals, transportation and amenities included in the monthly rent, seniors can focus on the activities they love while enjoying the freedom of a carefree, comfortable retirement home.
Residents can participate in social gatherings, fitness classes and excursions. The full schedule often includes happy hours, holiday celebrations, continuing education classes and movie nights.
However, the biggest distinction between independent living and assisted living is that independent living communities typically don’t offer on-site medical staff or daily assistance with bathing and dressing.
Unlike other types of independent living, CCRCs and assisted living offer the option to transition between levels of care when a senior’s needs change, eliminating the stress of moving at an already challenging time.
In addition, on-site care includes geriatric primary care, post-acute and hospice support services, and palliative care.
Skilled Nursing
If your loved one has an acute health condition that requires around-the-clock monitoring by a registered nurse, they may need to check into a skilled nursing facility. This type of senior living also offers medication assistance and provides a place for family members to visit and stay involved.
Skilled nursing can help seniors recovering from surgery or injury that limits their mobility. They can learn to move again with physical therapy and strengthen through various exercise options. They can also improve their cognitive skills through memory training and coordination exercises.
Independent living communities typically do not provide medical or nursing care, but they can have contracted agencies on-site to provide scheduled home care services if necessary.
This service can help seniors living alone but requires more support with the tasks of daily life like bathing and eating. It can be paid for by long-term care insurance or private pay.
