Housing Options For Today's Retirees and Seniors
Moving is never easy, and today's seniors thinking about downsizing into a senior living facility or retirement community face numerous choices that will have an impact on their
quality of life. Seniors want to maintain the privacy and independence of living at home, but often they need quality medical care, a little assistance with housekeeping or chores, or the benefits of a more robust social life.
Selecting a facility can be a daunting task, but it's important to evaluate what type of facility is
best-suited to an individual's lifestyle and needs. A senior's new home, along with the community's residents, and the amenities the facility offers will have a major impact on their health and happiness in the coming years.
Senior living options include:
Independent Living - for seniors who remain active and independent
Also known as retirement communities, independent living spaces provide seniors with homes or apartments that are designed for those aged 55 and up. These residences are built with the senior specifically in mind: they're smaller than a traditional home and are typically laid out on a single floor which allows seniors to navigate their rooms easily. Independent living allows residents to live a more maintenance-free and active lifestyle.
Assisted Living - for seniors who need a bit of help with chores, and want to have fun
Assisted living facilities are designed to allow seniors their sense of freedom and independence, and they focus on maintaining a senior's physical and mental health. Residents generally have various-sized apartments. Facilities offer dining, large communal and outdoor areas, abundant sports & activities, and plenty of opportunities to socialize with family and friends. Certain services and medical care are available to seniors, as well - depending on their specific needs.
Nursing Homes - for seniors requiring robust medical care
The traditional nursing home provides seniors with full-time medical care, meals and sometimes a limited number of activities. They are designed to cater to seniors requiring the highest levels of medical care. As such, nursing homes tend to be a bit more like hospitals than homes.
Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs)
CCRCs, though frequently more expensive, offer a wide range of living options under one roof, so to speak. On the premises, a CCRC will typically have seniors who enjoy independent living in homes or apartments, as well as those who live in assisted living apartments or the more medically-focused nursing facilities. CCRCs were designed to adapt to the changing needs of seniors as they age, with the goal of keeping them in a single community.
quality of life. Seniors want to maintain the privacy and independence of living at home, but often they need quality medical care, a little assistance with housekeeping or chores, or the benefits of a more robust social life.
Selecting a facility can be a daunting task, but it's important to evaluate what type of facility is
best-suited to an individual's lifestyle and needs. A senior's new home, along with the community's residents, and the amenities the facility offers will have a major impact on their health and happiness in the coming years.
Senior living options include:
Independent Living - for seniors who remain active and independent
Also known as retirement communities, independent living spaces provide seniors with homes or apartments that are designed for those aged 55 and up. These residences are built with the senior specifically in mind: they're smaller than a traditional home and are typically laid out on a single floor which allows seniors to navigate their rooms easily. Independent living allows residents to live a more maintenance-free and active lifestyle.
Assisted Living - for seniors who need a bit of help with chores, and want to have fun
Assisted living facilities are designed to allow seniors their sense of freedom and independence, and they focus on maintaining a senior's physical and mental health. Residents generally have various-sized apartments. Facilities offer dining, large communal and outdoor areas, abundant sports & activities, and plenty of opportunities to socialize with family and friends. Certain services and medical care are available to seniors, as well - depending on their specific needs.
Nursing Homes - for seniors requiring robust medical care
The traditional nursing home provides seniors with full-time medical care, meals and sometimes a limited number of activities. They are designed to cater to seniors requiring the highest levels of medical care. As such, nursing homes tend to be a bit more like hospitals than homes.
Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs)
CCRCs, though frequently more expensive, offer a wide range of living options under one roof, so to speak. On the premises, a CCRC will typically have seniors who enjoy independent living in homes or apartments, as well as those who live in assisted living apartments or the more medically-focused nursing facilities. CCRCs were designed to adapt to the changing needs of seniors as they age, with the goal of keeping them in a single community.
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