Senior Housing Options Defined & Explained
What is Senior Housing?
Senior housing is housing that is suitable for the needs of an aging population. It ranges from independent living to 24-hour care. In senior housing there is an emphasis on safety, accessibility, adaptability and longevity that many conventional housing options may lack.
When to Think about Senior Housing
If your elderly loved ones are experiencing increasing medical or mental health challenges and are no longer safe in their home, it’s time to consider senior housing options.
Think about what type of help they are starting to need and what funds are available for this help.
Choose one of the following options to meet their care needs and budget.
Who Can Help?
Remember, Craft LifeStyle Management is always available to talk with you about each of these options and to assist in any way possible in creating a smooth transition for you and your loved ones. Contact us today.
Housing Options to Consider
Aging in Place
Many older adults wish to remain in their homes forever. For some this wish can come true, especially if the home has a bedroom and bathroom on the main floor and the hallways and doorways do not create problems for those with limited mobility.
Depending on the level of care needed, homes can often be modified, allowing seniors to age in place. Modifications are made to prevent falls, eliminate barriers, increase accessibility, and accommodate wheelchair use.
Sometimes these modifications include adding wheelchair ramps, eliminating entry steps, installing grab bars, lowering counter tops and improving lighting.
Craft LifeStyle Management works with families to make in-home modifications, allowing seniors and those with special needs to remain in their home if this is the best care solution for the aging or disabled loved ones.
Community services like cleaning, meal delivery and even most medical services can be provided to seniors wishing to age in place in their own home.
Family, neighbors and friends must check-in with older adults aging in place regularly to ensure their well-being and to verify that living in their own home is still in the best interest of their aging loved one.
Independent Living
Independent Living is defined as a senior living community where residents require minimal or no assistance with daily activities.
This housing choice is ideal for seniors who wish to remain active and social with others in their age group, generally 55+, without the burden of home and yard maintenance.
These communities can be separate stand-alone properties or part of a continuing care retirement community.
The services and amenities offered within independent living communities vary greatly by property.
Assisted Living Community
Assisted living is a lifestyle that offers a combination of housing, personalized support services and health care designed to meet the unique needs of seniors.
Assisted living communities offer individual apartments in one setting. Here, seniors live somewhat independently while having services available for Activities of Daily living (ADLs) when needed. These services may vary by community but usually include: 24-hour on-site staff availability for bathing, grooming, eating, toileting and dressing.
Housekeeping assistance, along with medication management and transportation are generally offered.
Meals are provided and available usually in a community dining room to encourage interaction.
Activity programming for social and recreational needs is also offered for this same purpose.
Continuing Care Retirement Community
These properties provide multiple levels of care all on one campus. They often include independent living, assisted living and a skilled nursing facility.
This housing concept is relatively popular today, especially for seniors who want to live in one location for the remainder of their years. As their care requirements change, residents can easily move from one housing type to another.
It’s also ideal for couples who may have two different levels of care requirements upon admission to the community. Each can have their needs met while both reside in the same community
Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF)
Nursing homes are licensed facilities for those needing 24-hour supervised nursing care. They are one step below an acute care hospitalization.
Those with chronic or long-term care mental and physical illnesses, who can no longer care for themselves, are offered care by doctors and nurses in these homes.
Residents here are provided meals, activities, and health management, including rehabilitation services like physical, occupation, and speech therapies right on site.
Some nursing homes even have dedicated sections for Alzheimer’s or memory care.
What Next?
⦁ Speak to your aging loved ones. Listen. Be patient yet realistic and practical. Decide if aging in place is an option. If so, contact us to tour your home and discuss any modifications that may be necessary.
⦁ Join your loved one on an upcoming medical appointment. What does the doctor think is the best housing option for your loved one based on current medical and mental health conditions?
⦁ Contact us to discuss transitional needs. We will listen to your concerns and suggest the next best transition for your loved one. We will even join you on property tours and help you find the best place for both the care needs and budget.
© July 2020. Craft LifeStyle Management. All Rights Reserved.
Denise Craft founded Craft Lifestyle Management in 1988 to ease the burden for families of aging, veterans, special needs adults and those in rehab during times of transition. She understands what’s involved in transitioning any individual from their personal home to their next home and to end of life. Her seasoned knowledge of available placement services, housing options, eligible benefits and payor sources, and community resources is endless.
Please contact Craft LifeStyle Management for all of your transitional needs.