In this day and age, senior citizens are quite fortunate to have a plethora of senior living options available to them. Thanks to Senior Guidance, all senior living options can now be accessed in one place. Let’s look at what options U.S. aging adults have and how they can access them:
Senior Apartments
Senior citizen apartments are apartment units created specifically for seniors or adults who at least 55 years old. Instead of living in an apartment that has no age restriction and no special amenities, seniors often choose to rent or buy apartments that are specifically tailored for senior citizens. These apartment complexes often have resort-like amenities that include a pool, a fitness center, a clubhouse and more. One of the biggest benefits of living in an apartment for 55 and older is the low maintenance lifestyle. Every part of maintenance is handled by the apartment complex management. Another benefit of living in senior living apartments is the fact that you will be in a community of adults who are of similar age, and thus you will have plenty of socialization opportunities. There are apartment complexes for completely independent seniors, as well as for those who require some assistance, with assistance service packages provided by the community you choose to live in.
Assisted Living Facilities
Perhaps one of the most popular senior living options for older adults, assisted living facilities and communities are for those adults who are not able to live a fully independent life. They may be mostly independent but require help with at least several daily living activities such as bathing, dressing, eating or moving in and out of bed. In such case, assisted living facilities provide caregivers who are specifically trained to assist with the activities that seniors need daily help with. Moreover, assisted living communities will generally have a nurse on staff, as well as 24/7 monitoring systems in place. For those adults with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, there are special memory care communities or separate wings inside assisted living facilities that are created specifically for memory care patients. There are additional safety measures in place there to prevent wandering off the premises, as well as additional opportunities for socialization and mental stimulation.
Retirement Communities
Retirement communities, often know as 55+ communities or sometimes 62+ communities, are those communities that are built with retirees in mind. They are often situated on large plots of land and contain up to 1000 or more houses or apartment units. Those who choose to reside in 55+ communities can choose to lease or buy their units. Some important features for houses built inside retirement communities are: single floor designs to prevent the inconvenience of climbing stairs, gated / restricted access for additional security, central location, as well as low maintenance lifestyle. It should be noted that in any community there will be rules that retirees need to follow. These may include certain visiting hours, as well as other restrictions that not every older adult will be happy with. But the benefits greatly outweigh the drawbacks in 55 and older communities, so they can be an excellent choice for aging adults.
Nursing Homes
One of the most well-known senior living options, nursing homes are for older adults who must have 24/7 supervised skilled nursing care and can neither live on their own or in assisted living communities. Nursing homes can provide both short-term care for adults who’ve recently suffered a stroke or who are recovering after surgery, as well as long-term care for seniors who are not in their best health and must have a nurse looking after them at all times. Nursing homes also generally have a doctor on staff who can attend to patients during any emergencies. Many nursing homes today also have dialysis units on the premises. Services in skilled nursing facilities can generally be paid for via Medicare and Medicaid, in addition to private insurance.