When seniors and their families first begin to explore retirement living options, they often say the search feels a little overwhelming. They cite one challenge in particular: understanding the terminology. Like other complex industries, senior care is rife with clinical terms, acronyms and unfamiliar language. For those new to senior living, it can be tough to decode.
To help make your search a little easier, we’ve assembled this list of some of the general terms you may encounter when researching or visiting a senior living community. And we’ve provided explanations that we hope will make this process a little easier.
Understanding the Types of Senior Living Communities
When you first begin researching senior living communities, you may wonder what type of care you or your loved one requires. These are known as the levels of care. Here’s a quick overview of the most common types:
- Independent Living: Seniors who opt for one of these communities are typically interested in maintenance-free living with fewer responsibilities. This affords them the freedom to spend time with family (i.e., their grandchildren!), connect with volunteer projects or participate in activities and events held on campus. The focus tends to be more on socialization than personal care or medical needs.
- Assisted Living: Residents of an assisted living community often benefit from having their own private suite or apartment while also having the support of caregivers 24/7. Caregivers can lend a helping hand with daily activities such as showering and dressing. Team members can also assist with trips to the bathroom, housekeeping, laundry and more. Adults who reside in an assisted living community enjoy three nutritious meals each day and a wide range of activities and wellness programs, as well as informal opportunities to socialize.
- Skilled Nursing or Long-Term Care: Residents of a skilled nursing or long-term care community receive support of skilled nurses and CNAs (certified nursing assistants) 24/7. Those requiring higher and more frequent levels of assistance will benefit from care focused on their medical needs. Team members engage on a regimen of care prescribed by each resident’s primary doctor and any specialists involved to deliver specific plans of care.
- Memory Care: This can be a standalone community or a program within an assisted living community or skilled nursing center. Often referred to as a memory care community or specialized dementia care community, it is designed for older adults who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia. For people with memory loss, it can be an ideal environment for promoting quality of life, safety and peace of mind for them and their family members.
These levels of care are sometimes offered in standalone communities, can often be found in various combinations, or all can exist within one senior living community. Many people find it comforting to know they can remain in one community as their needs change. There may also be offerings such as rehabilitation services, therapies, and special programs available at certain senior living communities. Finding the right type of environment and combination of care levels is extremely important and deserves in-depth research.
Common Senior Living Terminology
Next, let’s work through some of the most common terminology you’ll likely encounter:
- Ambulatory or non-ambulatory: These terms are used to describe a person’s ability to walk with or without assistance. While it might seem intrusive, having a true picture of a potential resident’s abilities is important in determining the level of care they would need. That impacts both staffing requirements and the monthly resident fee.
- Activities of daily living (ADLs): This is another phrase you will encounter often in an assisted living or memory care community. There are six basic ADLs: bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, continence care, and walking/transferring. Before a potential resident moves in, community staff complete an assessment to determine how many ADLs they need help with each day.
- Medication management: Mistakes with medication are more common among older adults. Sometimes that can lead to disastrous results. One of the benefits of a move to an assisted living or memory care community is medication management. The specifics of these programs vary by community but typically include medication reminders and oversight for ordering and reordering prescriptions.
- Respite care: A short-term stay at a senior living community is known as respite care or respite services. It can be a good solution when family caregivers need a break. For families trying to determine if a community is a good long-term choice for a loved one, respite is also a way to try out the community. Depending on state laws where the community is located, a respite guest may be able to visit for one month or more. Before being admitted, the senior might be required to submit the results of a physical exam with their doctor.
- Veterans benefits: Veterans and their spouse/surviving spouse who are considering a move to a senior living community should research a benefit referred to as VA Aid and Attendance. If the veteran qualifies, one or both spouses might receive financial assistance of up to $2,727 per month. In addition to service requirements, there are financial and health conditions that must be met.
Helpful Decision-Making Toolkits
Because of the importance of this decision, we’ve created a series of decision-making toolkits. Each is designed to help you take a proactive approach in your search for a senior living community. You can download any of the ASC Decision-Making Toolkits at no cost.
We invite you to call or visit one of our communities to have a no-obligation conversation to answer your questions. Whatever decision you make, we want to provide useful information to help you and your family make the right choice.
