When seniors today are ready to make a change in their lifestyle, it can become an overwhelming decision due to all the senior living options available today. Knowing what type of senior housing is right for you or your loved just takes a little research, as well as knowing what your needs are and what each option provides to help you make the right choice.
The Different Types of Senior Housing
Senior living options vary and are certainly not “one size fits all.” The needs of each senior are different, and each senior housing option offers different levels of care, amenities and services.
The main types of senior housing today include:
Independent Living
Also often called retirement communities, independent living communities offer seniors who have very few medical problems the ability to live in a community with their peers, helping to avoid the social isolation they may be feeling in their current home. Residents are able to come and go as they please and usually live in private apartments or homes, like American Senior Communities’ Garden Homes. Seniors will enjoy maintenance-free living and planned social activities, and the communities also usually include other amenities like meal service and fitness centers.
Assisted Living
When a senior’s health starts to decline and they need more assistance with daily living activities like eating, dressing and grooming, assisted living facilities are a senior housing option that provide a higher level of care, with medical staff being available around the clock. Like independent living communities, assisted living facilities also offer scheduled social activities as well as services like housekeeping, meals, and transportation. Residents live in private or semi-private rooms, usually with a scaled-down kitchen and many shared common areas. American Senior Communities assisted living apartments come in a variety of floor plans and our wonderful staff helps keep residents active, healthy and engaged in life.
Memory Care
Memory care, or Alzheimer’s care is a senior living option for those who need 24-hour support and structured activities to provide the best quality of life for those suffering from memory issues. The staff at memory care facilities is specially-trained in treating those with dementia, and these communities will often have secured areas to help prevent wandering. American Senior Communities offers memory care through our Auguste’s Cottage program, where care is provided through the person-centered approach, making residents feel comfortable in a home-like setting.
Skilled Nursing Care
A skilled nursing care facility, also called a nursing home, provides the highest level of care for seniors outside of a hospital setting. Twenty-four hour medical services from licensed nurses are available around the clock for seniors who have chronic conditions that require constant monitoring.
Skilled nursing facilities often also provide short-term and long-term rehabilitation for those recovering from an illness or injury, and offer physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapies to help seniors get back to their normal routines. American Senior Communities Skilled Nursing Care Centers have geriatric nursing specialists on staff to provide the right level of care for the short or long-term.
For more information about American Senior Communities, please visit www.asccare.com.
