Making the decision to put a loved one in a senior living facility can be difficult. You may be wondering if it’s the right thing to do, or if there are other options available.
In this post, we’ll explore some of the reasons why you might want to consider a senior living facility for your loved one. Keep in mind that this is not an exhaustive list, and every situation is different. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us!
What Are Senior Living Facilities?
Before we get into the reasons why you might want to consider them, let’s take a moment to describe what senior living facilities are.
Also referred to as retirement communities, senior housing facilities offer a variety of living arrangements for people over the age of 55.
This can include independent living, assisted living, and even nursing homes. It’s important to note that there is a difference between “senior” housing and “retirement” communities.
Retirement communities typically focus on providing an active lifestyle for older adults who want to stay involved in hobbies or social activities.
In contrast, senior housing facilities tend to be focused on caregiving services such as meals and medications for seniors who may require additional assistance with daily tasks.
What are the Benefits of Senior Living Facilities?
Once you have a better understanding of what senior living facilities are, let’s take a look at some of the benefits. This list is not exhaustive, but here are some common reasons why people choose to put their loved ones in senior housing facilities:
Personal Care
People who have difficulty taking care of personal hygiene may require assistance managing tasks like bathing and dressing. Personal care services provided by senior housing can help improve your loved one’s quality of life.
Staying Safe
Some seniors find themselves more vulnerable to illness or trauma as they age. Having around-the-clock monitoring can keep your loved one safe when you’re not there to watch over them yourself.
Socialization
Loneliness is a common problem for older adults. Socialization opportunities offered by senior housing facilities help promote a sense of community and belonging amongst the residents.
Mental Care
Many seniors benefit greatly from cognitive therapy or memory care designed to improve their ability to think, act, and reason effectively.
There are some similarities between this form of treatment and how children learn, so if your loved one is suffering from dementia or another mental impairment it can be very beneficial.
Dietary Needs
Some seniors have difficulty maintaining their nutritional needs independently after they’ve become older adults. Getting meals delivered on a daily basis helps ensure that your loved one gets the necessary nutrients to maintain good health.
Medical Assistance
Seniors living in living facilities typically receive on-site medical care. This can include physical therapy, social work, or assistance with medication management.
What to Look for in Senior Living Facilities
Now that you have a better understanding of what senior living facilities are, let’s take a look at some of the things that you should consider when looking into them for your loved one.
While there is no “perfect” senior living facility that has it all, they do offer many benefits and advantages over other types of housing arrangements.
Here are some common questions you might want to ask yourself before selecting one:
How Much Does It Cost?
One of the most important things to consider when choosing a senior housing facility is cost . Senior living facilities charge monthly rates which can vary widely depending on how much independent living is included in your loved one’s living arrangements.
What Services are Offered?
It’s important to know what services are offered by senior living facilities before you bring your loved one in to live with you there.
For example, is medical care provided for residents? What about transportation? Meal service? Housekeeping services?
What Types of Residents Live There?
Some senior housing facilities are designed specifically for people who have certain needs or issues that require special attention. It’s important that you find a facility that caters to the specific form of care that would be most beneficial for your loved ones.
How Long Have They Been Around?
When something new comes on the market it tends to make headlines, but when something venerable like a senior living facility has been in business for years it means they’ve built up a good reputation over time. Make sure you go with the best, not necessarily the new kid on the block.
What are Independent Living Senior Apartment Communities? And Why Are They Better Than Traditional Assisted Living Facilities?
Independent living communities are usually made up of small buildings or “villages” that have 4-20 apartments spread throughout them.
The idea behind these types of facilities is to help seniors maintain their sense of independence while still giving them access to some types of medical care and assistance if they need it.
Residents at independent living communities generally have their own apartment which includes basic amenities like appliances, furniture, etc.
They also have access to security services, housekeeping, and other types of assistance that they may need throughout the year.
One thing to note is that many independent living communities do not accept Medicaid or Medicare for payment, so you’ll have to come up with the money on your own.
However, while independent living facilities are great for seniors who want to maintain their independence while still getting some level of assistance, they don’t provide the same level of care as an assisted living facility can offer.
Seniors who live at independent senior apartments usually need only minimal assistance every day, so if someone in your family requires heavy-duty medical care like physical therapy or help with personal hygiene then an assisted living facility would be a better choice (if it can be afforded).
Conclusion paragraph
If you’re thinking about options for your loved one, it’s worth considering the benefits of senior living facilities. We can help answer any questions or concerns that you might have about this process – feel free to reach out!