Choosing a senior living facility can be a daunting task, especially for a novice, which everyone is initially. To make an educated decision you first need to understand the different types of senior living facilities available. Unlike your parents or grandparents that likely only had two choices, a nursing home, or being cared for by family members, there are many types of senior care and housing to consider.
Senior Apartments
- Apartments for people 55+, these communities offer amenities such a fitness center, wellness center, theater, and dog park. Offer transportation to community sponsored events and outings.
- Residents pay all utilities much like when owning a home.
- Apartment doors open towards the interior of the community and the main door into the community locks at a certain hour in the late evening.
- Do not expect many residents that are 55 however, typically residents’ range in age from late 60’s all the way to their 90’s.
- Geared to older adults who no longer want the upkeep of a house but also do not want a traditional apartment with all age residents.
- Some of these communities will offer a catered lunch for an additional fee.
Independent Living
- There are two models in independent living. The first and most popular today is the “all-inclusive,” model.
- These communities offer three meals per day, housekeeping, transportation, and include electricity, water, sewer, and often cable, and a list of activities and outings every week.
- They are perfect for an older adult that are not eating properly for one of many reasons, no longer are or should be driving, need someone to see them on a regular basis.
- The second independent living model is “al la cart.” The apartments all have a full kitchen but also offer meals, and housekeeping for an additional fee. Residents also enjoy a full activity calendar. Some include utilities and some do not.
Assisted Living
- Older adults that require assistance with one or more activities of daily living such as, medication reminders, bathing assistance, transferring assistance (getting in and out bed, in and out of chair or wheelchair, assistance using the restroom,) assistance dressing, and queuing.
- Older assisted living communities may only offer studio apartments (one large room, kitchenette, and large bathroom,) while newer communities offer studio, one and two bedroom apartments.
- A new resident can be wheelchair bound in most cases IF they are able to bear weight, stand and pivot at move in.
- These communities offer a one-person, or two-person transfer, and a handful can utilize a Hoyer lift for residents that become unable to bear weight. It is important to know what transferring assistance is offered prior to moving especially for those with compromised mobility.
Residential Care Home
- This is an actual house in a neighborhood that can care for up to eight residents depending on the city’s ordinance and actual size of the home and rooms. RCH’s typically care for older adults but often are willing to care for younger adults with a physical disability or have suffered a significant health event.
- Residential care homes will accept wheelchair bound and bedridden residents upon move in.
- These homes are often owned by registered nurses, and have the lowest caregiver to resident ratio, averaging four to one.
- RCH’s are great choices for Dementia patients as the small environment is often easier for them to settle in, in addition to those that are fall risks.
Memory Care Community
- These communities are specifically designed to care for residents with all types of “Dementia,” traumatic brain injuries, or cognitive impairment related to strokes and related diseases.
Skilled Nursing Facilities
- This is a fancy name for a nursing home. “Skilled,” simply refers to the nursing homes ability to offer rehabilitation such as physical, occupational, speech or respiratory therapy to patients discharging from the hospital but too weak to return home.
- “SNF’s,” also offer long term care, either private pay, or Medicaid, however not every nursing home has licensed Medicaid beds.
- These facilities have the highest staff to patient/resident ratio at 15 to one.
As with most goods or services, there is often overlap, thus more than one type of senior living could be appropriate for any given individual. Knowing your loved one, their personality today, and what they are capable of will help to make a more informed decision.
