Learn More About The Senior Housing Options For The Elderly

With age, the needs of seniors and older adults change. Some elders prefer to enjoy their aging years playing golf while experiencing almost few health problems. Whereas, some require an appropriate degree of assistance due to their critical health and safety concerns.

Unfortunately, there are a broad range of senior housing options that help with senior care or proper assistance, no matter what their requirements are. Getting aged in these places with caregivers will not only assist in living but also provide several options to remain as independent as possible while receiving care.

Some people prefer to take their seniors and older adults with them without any outside help, whereas, others prefer to connect a community of seniors in an assisted living environment. Seniors suffering from critical health concerns like Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, or others require 24/7 in-home caregiving services, memory care, and skilled nursing facilities.

There are several options, including in-home care, independent living communities, assisted living, continuing care retirement communities, nursing homes, and many more. By learning about these different types of retirement housing, you can make the right choices and enjoy a happy, healthy, and fulfilling home environment as you age.

Our following guide will help with doing this.

What is Housing Options for Seniors?

Senior housing is a living home that fulfills the needs of older adults, parents, and individuals who are suffering from various disabilities. These places have professional caregivers for taking care of and assisting the seniors with handling day-to-day activities, including bathing, grooming, meal preparation, medication management, and many others. Senior care housing ranges from independent living to Live-in or 24-Hour In-Home Care Services. Additionally, these places also provide full support for safety, accessibility, adaptability, and longevity than conventional housing options.

How Senior Housing Communities Make Life Easier for Elders?

Whether you are looking for a safe environment or require assistance with handling daily activities, senior housing communities are an excellent option to constantly get better services. Here are the following benefits of joining senior housing:

24/7 Professional & Compassionate Care

Seniors and older adults living in seniors often need assistance with activities regarding dressing, bathing, medication assistance, grooming, meal preparation, and more.

Justin Villa Care offers 24/7 care guarantees, which helps in fulfilling the needs of every senior. Every staff member of our team is well-trained and qualified that maintains privacy and promotes dignity. Plus, the care programs of such senior living housing are regularly reviewed for providing the appropriate level of care at each stage of aging.

Whether it is about following a complex medication schedule, grooming the seniors, or wanting to go for a walk, the assisted staff of senior housing will always be there for help.

Availability of Delicious Meals

With age, the diet of seniors and older adults changes. They require something tasty and nutritious that keeps them healthy. Cooking yourself for seniors can be quite challenging. This is where caregivers of senior housing assist them by preparing delicious foods and meals daily.

Safe Transportation

Mobility or transportation from one place to another for seniors is challenging and unsafe. However, senior housing services offer reliable transportation, which assists with shopping, dining, events, and attending doctor appointments. The trusted transportation services of senior housing take seniors and elders where they want to go.

Offer Personal Care

Aging is hard but handling daily tasks is even harder for an older adult. Activities of daily living (ADLs), housekeeping, transportation, dressing and grooming services, bathing assistance, feeding assistance and other tasks can be quite daunting and a burden for seniors and their families. However, handling their everyday responsibilities allows seniors to live happily.

Many senior housing communities have certified caregivers who provide 24/7 services to meet the needs regularly. These staff members are well-trained and assist the seniors with dressing, bathing, eating, and other activities.

Support Healthy Senior Living

From easy-to-go exercises to yoga, Zumba, and other strength training, caregivers of senior housing communities also take care of the well-being of seniors. Following such a daily schedule will not harness medical conditions but also improve their overall health. Seniors suffering from memory loss, heart disease, obesity, and high blood pressure can take the assistance of caregivers to join fitness programs and outdoor activities. However, before signing up for new programs, do not forget to take consultation from a doctor.

Different Senior Housing Options for the Elderly

Here, we discuss some senior housing options for you and your loved ones who require regular assistance. Let’s have a look.

In-Home Care Services

In-home care services are for seniors who would like to keep living in their current home rather than moving to a retirement facility. Some family members are not able to provide proper assistance due to daily fixed working hours or being busy with other daily activities. In such situations, relying on professional senior care services ensures to keep them safe and healthy while aging in a home. In-home care professionals provide full comfort and assist with ADLs, transportation services and companionship care services. It also does not include any medical care except basic first-aid.

What is Included in In-Home Care Services

In-home care services are equipped with the following services:

• Personal care services, such as assistance with ADLs, transportation, medication reminders assistance, and housekeeping. 
• Provide companion care services, including playing games, reading, accompanying on errands, and spending time to stave off loneliness.
• Provide lodging, and assistance with shopping and meal preparation.

The in-home care services can be customized according to the needs of an individual. The providers of these services will assist your seniors, from small to large daily living activities.

Independent Living

Independent living is an excellent option for seniors. It provides housing for seniors 55 and older and independent living costs from$12,000 to $42,000 per year who would like a maintenance-free lifestyle but who are still active and can live independently. But, they do not require any kind of daily assistance. People who choose independent living have a house that is more elderly-friendly, compact, easier to navigate, and provides maintenance-free living. Independent living communities do not offer personal care services or medical care.

What is Included in Independent Living Services

Here are the following services included in independent living. These services are for seniors who can still handle their daily activities and are still active. It includes:

• Housekeeping and Laundry services.
• Interior maintenance of all common areas.
• Exterior maintenance.
• Transportation Services for Seniors.
• Various facilities like fitness classes, art classes, or events.

However, personal care services and activities of daily living (ADLs) are not available in independent living. Some independent living communities have an on-site dining room while some have a cafe or coffee shop, allowing seniors to purchase items. It is one of the ideal options for seniors living alone.

Assisted Living

Assisted living facilities are another housing option for seniors who need help with instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), like cooking and bathing except for medical assistance. In this, the caregivers also offer personal care services to early- to middle-stage dementia. Even the caregivers will stay around the clock and provide full assistance with daily tasks. Assisted living provides care as per the seniors’ needs, enabling them to retain their independence as much as possible.

What is Included in Assisted Living Services

The services included in assisted living are related to daily living activities. Here are the following services included in assisted living.

• Handle daily tasks like bathing, dressing, eating, grooming, and transferring (walking).
• Provide personal care services, including housekeeping and linen services, laundry, and transportation.
• Offer amenities, such as a fitness center, arts and crafts room, formal dining room for dinner parties, outdoor common areas, a library or computer room, and more.

Assisted living is a good option for older adults who have more difficulties living independently. It also helps seniors who are struggling with mobility or fine motor skills, suffering from an injury or health condition, or are on the stage of memory impairment.

Nursing Homes

Nursing homes are senior living premises that provide high-quality medical care. It includes getting up and getting out of bed and assistance with feeding, bathing, and dressing. Nursing homes have professionals holding higher nursing credentials and have more medical training. A licensed physician determines the care of each patient. And a nurse or other healthcare professional helps with performing day-to-day tasks. This type of care is short-term, depending on the injury or illness.

What is Included in Nursing Homes Services?

• A trained nurse or nurse’s assistant provides more skilled care than personal care aides.
• Offer post-surgery care, physical and occupational therapy, medication administration (including injections), and more skilled nursing services.
• It is one-to-one care, featuring an appropriate care plan, which is tailored specifically according to the individual’s needs.

In addition to assisting with living facilities, nursing homes help with basic activities. They provide medication management and 24-hour supervision, leading to a more clinical environment.

Alzheimer’s/Memory Care

Memory care is also known as Alzheimer’s care, which is specifically for seniors suffering from advanced memory impairment. Often, older adults with Alzheimer’s and dementia require regular assistance both physically and emotionally. Some dedicated memory care communities help seniors and offer services tailored to meet their needs. These communities have well-trained staff or caregivers that assist seniors with such cognitive conditions.

What is Included in Memory Care Services?

Memory caregiving service providers are available 24-hours a day to assist seniors or older adults with all their personal care needs. Here are the following services that are included in memory care:

• Assist with ADLs, housekeeping, and laundry, and transportation services.
• Offer specialized programs, including music therapy, gardening groups, puzzle clubs, and more.
• Work on enhancing safety and security measures, and monitor entry and exit points.
• Make use of community-wide use of personal medical alert systems.

Memory care communities are not featured with many lifestyle amenities like independent and assisted living communities. While memory care communities may have fewer lifestyle amenities than independent and assisted living communities. However, make sure the staff is well-trained and capable of providing enough care to your seniors.

Memory care communities do not offer regular medical care beyond basic first-aid and medication management services. In this, skilled nursing facilities can assist and provide regular skilled care and 24/7 access to a doctor.

Respite Care

Respite care helps primary caregivers to take a short-term and temporary break from day-to-day activities. During this short period, family caregivers can travel, complete their outside work, visit friends, or simply take rest or relaxation from caregiving responsibilities. These flexible caregiving services can take place in-home care services or in an adult day care center.

What is Included in Respite Care Services?

The services related to respite care depend upon the seniors’ needs. The following services are included in the respite care:

• Basic supervision and companionship.
• Assistance with ADLs, transportation services, or even skilled nursing care.
• A respite care provider also assists with medical services.

Respite care is a convenient alternative for those healing from surgery or a serious illness. It’s also excellent for caregivers to get a much-needed break from the responsibilities of caring for seniors.

Also read – What is Respite Care? When Do You Need It?

Hospice is another type of care provided to seniors with a terminal illness. These services are usually provided at a senior’s home or a nursing home. Generally, hospice concentrates on providing services like pain management to make seniors feel comfortable as soon as possible.

What is Included in Hospice Care Services?

Here are the following services attached to hospice care services

• Nursing visits to address physical symptoms.
• Visits from the hospice aide to provide personal care including bathing and grooming.
• Volunteers to provide additional companionship.
• Bereavement support for the family after their loved one has passed away.
• Provide palliative care to relieve symptoms and give social, emotional, and spiritual support.
• Medical equipment (such as hospital beds, wheelchairs, or walkers)
• Medical supplies (such as bandages and catheters)
• Drugs to control pain and other symptoms.
• Home health aide and homemaker services.
• Physical and occupational therapy.

Someone suffering from a life-limiting illness can benefit from hospice care. Hospice is a suitable option for seniors who prefer to switch to care that alleviates their symptoms alternatively combating their disease.

Continuing Care Retirement Communities

Continuing-care retirement communities (CCRCs) are equipped with various types of housing options for seniors or older adults. These facilities include senior apartments, assisted living facilities, plus nursing homes in the same property. Hence, the senior will get several benefits, from personal care to medical care in a single place. Caregivers will move the seniors from one place to another according to their requirements.

What is Included in Continuing Care Retirement Communities Services?

These are the following services that can take place in CCRC: 

• Various flexible housing options, services, and amenities.
• Round-the-clock care to address the health and wellness needs of residents.
• Provide residential living, assisted living, skilled nursing, and memory support. 

CCRC is an excellent option for seniors who no longer want to live with friends or relatives. It provides a transition for seniors from one type of care to another, according to their health concerns. Additionally, it is a good option for anyone who’s still independent and ready to move into a senior community and requires assistance in the future.

How to Start Your Search For Senior Housing?

Choosing the appropriate senior housing for your older adults might feel overwhelming. Therefore, while looking for a senior housing option, it is necessary to consider your senior’s needs, including physical and medical needs, location, accessibility, and many others.

Let’s discuss this in detail.

Consider Physical and Medical Needs

With age, the physical needs of seniors or older adults start changing, including activities of daily living (ADLs). This ranges from shopping, housekeeping, cooking, and looking after pets to getting intensive assistance with bathing, walking around, and eating. Additionally, your loved ones might also require help with medical assistance. This could involve sudden injury to critical health conditions or illnesses, such as Alzheimer’s disease or Parkinson’s Mobility Care For Seniors

Take Into Account Location & Accessibility

For seniors, it becomes quite difficult to access shopping, medical facilities, and other services. It means you must think about the accessibility of your current location while looking for senior housing options. Is there availability of transportation access? Does it have a lot of steps or a steep hill to navigate? With age, it is quite challenging for seniors to stay independent.

Visit Potential Communities

If you or your loved one is considering moving into a nursing home, age-restricted retirement community, or requires in-home caregiving services, do not forget to visit their specific communities. During your visit, communicate with their living residents, check out the activities schedule, and others. If you are thinking about hiring in-home care services, take recommendations from others who are already attached to their services.

Estimate Budget

Searching for a long-term care community can be quite daunting and expensive. In such circumstances, you need to balance the care while evaluating the budget. Additionally, you can also compare the costs of different communities and determine the required needs for having senior housing at an appropriate budget. After all, preparing a budget with expected expenses can benefit you by weighing the pros and cons of your situation. Even some centers provide affordable housing for seniors, where they can spend their rest of life happily.

Fulfill Social and Emotional Needs

As you age, a huge difference takes place in your social network. Your friends, family, or neighbors may not be as close by. You might not be able to continue driving or cannot access public transportation. This could lessen the chances of regularly meeting up with family and friends. Senior housing options provide that opportunity where you can create social networks and communicate with them as long as you want. 

How To Help Seniors With a Loss of Independence?

What could be more painful than seeing your loved one struggling with different household things? Maybe they are experiencing frequent falls or memory lapses. Or, maybe they are unable to handle laundry and other housekeeping things. 

You may stay busy with your busy work schedule or other important things. Therefore, instead of letting them handle things all alone, it is recommended to take assistance from a professional care manager or caregivers. Because sometimes, a senior will listen to a doctor, caregivers, or other impartial parties rather than family or friends.

Get Prolong Independence With Assisted Living

Taking assistance from a professional health care center will help your loved one remain in their home for longer. And if your seniors would like to choose an assisted living facility, it will also lessen the requirements of a nursing home later on.

Cope With Loss of Independence With Dar Care Facility

Caregivers always stay with seniors or older adults and keep them active. They also help in building strong relationships with friends and family.

Adopt Home Care Services

Home care services for your loved ones provide a greater sense of control over the different situations. It also offers various benefits of getting full-time assistance from well-trained and qualified assistance to change their living situation.

Hire Caregiver Providers

It is quite overwhelming for family members to take care of their seniors along with other daily tasks. They may not be able to maintain an equal balance between health, family, work, and finances. However, caregiving services can do it for you. Additionally, they will also provide proper care to your loved ones regarding their health and safety.

Hence, educate yourself about different resources that can help both seniors and family members.

Get Help From Justin Villa Care!

Well, the above-mentioned living facilities are excellent options for seniors living alone. For finding the best place for you or your loved ones, we suggest that you consider all your options and requirements. It might be hard to let your seniors move to a nursing home, day care facility, or other senior living options. 

Let’s help you explore further to get to know the process of hiring a caregiver for in-home help.

That’s why, we, at Justin Villa Care, bring a reliable solution, where our caregivers provide proper care and assistance in different activities while remaining in your home. Our caregivers are well-trained and certified to take care of every need of your loved ones.

Have any questions? Feel free to contact us today!