There are many senior living options available, so we help make things simple.
When choosing senior care options, there are a few things to keep in mind: You get what you pay for in most cases, insurance benefits vary drastically, and always read reviews on the services or facilities.
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Senior Living Types
Aging in place
This just refers to the option for seniors to continue living in their own home. There are many services that can help with in-home care if needed. This option is best for seniors that can still walk around well and are relatively healthy.
Some benefits of aging in place are:
- People can keep their independent lifestyle
- It’s usually less costly to live in your own home
- Help can come to you when needed
Senior communities
Similar to living in your own home, these are communities comprised of certain age brackets. These are usually 50 and older.
Benefits can include:
- Simple lifestyle like in your own home
- Have neighbors all of similar age ranges
- No maintenance on the lawn
- Most communities have activity areas for seniors
Assisted Living
Assisted living facilities are places that have built in help such as cooking, bathing, medical assistance and so on. Options often include private room and activity areas for group gathering. Of course, costs can vary depending on the location and services requires by the individuals.
Benefits can include:
- All household work and chores are taken care of by facility
- Laundry is done for you
- Food is prepared for you (no dishes!)
- Doctors can visit you in the facility
- Help is there when needed
Nursing homes
Similar to assisted living, but has more medical focus for individuals that require a closer watch. These nursing homes have all the bells and whistles such as laundry, food, actives, medical help and more. These of course would typically cost more that other options because of the higher level of medical care required and 24 hour supervision.
Benefits can include:
- All household work and chores are taken care of by facility
- Laundry is done for you
- Food is prepared for you (no dishes!)
- 24 hour care and monitoring
Other types of living options more focused on type of care:
Respite Care
Memory Care
Hospice Care
In-Home care
There are also some options for seniors to be helped in their homes as mentioned in the aging in pace section. To explain more, there are services that send registered nurses, nursing assistants or just an assistant to your home. Depending on the levels of care needed, individuals that require more medical help and attention could benefit by hiring these in-home care services to send an RN or NA to your home. Costs are typically paid out of pocket, but some long-term care insurance can also cover the care. It’s important to read reviews of each company because some are very large, and some are very small. Either one isn’t good or bad, but it’s all dependent on their staff.
Steps for deciding on a senior living option
As you or your loved one ages, you’ll have to think about housing options. There’s a lot to consider, so make sure everyone involved has thought about their choices and priorities. Make sure to do these five things while considering the senior living options.
Do your research. Just by reading this article, you’ve already started this process. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the stress of a change. Knowing your choices can help make the process easier.
Talk about expectations for daily life. Someone who wants to be surrounded by a community of people their own age should make a different choice than someone who wants to be active in a broader community.
Talk to a doctor. Before making a home purchase, modifying an existing home or investing in a retirement community, see if the doctor has any concerns about the resident’s mobility or health.
Sit down with a financial advisor. Healthcare can be very expensive. Before making a final decision, talk to a financial advisor who has experience dealing with Medicare or Medicaid, pensions or retirement accounts.
Visit potential communities. If you/your loved one is considering moving into a nursing home, age-restricted retirement community or any other senior living option, visit several. During your visit, talk to residents, have a meal and check out the activities schedule.
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Sources: dailycaring.com, aplaceformom.com, seniorhousing.net, consumeraffairs.com