Your Guide To The Various Senior Home Care Choices
September 8th, 2010

You are looking for a residential senior home facility and discover that there are many choices. How do you know which one is the right choice? Here is a summary of the choices and what they have to offer. The common choices are: adult day care, independent living, assisted living, nursing homes, continuing care retirement communities, Alzheimer’s care, and active adult communities also known as senior apartments.

Adult Day Care - This is a great option if available in your community. Sometimes a private individual running one from her home offers it, or you may find that a company operates the adult day care. A licensed nurse or therapist with the ability to care for seniors in their home is often how adult day cares are started. This option may be cost effective for you and offer the care needed and a safe environment on a daily basis. Usually activities are planned in the home as well as rehabilitation services and nutritious meals and snacks. You may find that transportation is available, especially in larger cities.

Independent Living Facilities - These are wonderful for individuals who need either personal or medical care and do not wish to live alone. These facilities are equipped with special features designed for the needs of seniors as well as for the recreational activities that interest seniors. There is usually a schedule of recreational activities such as sports, field trips, cultural events and shopping excursions. There are usually optional meal plans as well as apartments that contain kitchen units. Independent living is also known as senior apartments, retirement communities, and also congregate living arrangements.

Assisted Living - This type of home is for those who do not desire to live on their own but do not require 24-hour care. Assisted living is an environment that is very homelike but that features available trained professionals should they be needed. There is usually an activity coordinator that will help arrange on and off premise activities for those who live at the assisted living community. Assisted Living is also known as residential care, personal care and adult congregate care.

Nursing Homes are the more commonly known type of residential care home. They offer 24-hour nursing care for those who can no longer live independently due to medical, physical or mental issues. There is a medical staff that specializes in the care of elderly individuals. The staff is trained to care for the personal needs such as bathing, personal hygiene, bathroom, eating, dispersing of medications as well as a housekeeping staff and a variety of other medical services such as physical, occupational and speech therapy. There is usually a recreational director on staff responsible for designing a well-rounded schedule of activities that keep the residents healthy and active. There will be laundry services as well as other special needs such as those of a beauty salon to care for the hair and nails of the nursing home residents. Nursing homes are also known as nursing facilities.

Continuing care retirement communities, Alzheimer’s care, and active adult communities may vary as to availability in your area. They can best be located by using the local phone directory or by asking around at Senior Centers, physician offices and community centers. Continuing Care Retirement Communities offer residences that have options such as patio homes, apartments, studios, suites or even a nursing facility. Your community may have certain requirements for living in one such as having to already be a community member or there may be age, income, health status or financial status requirements. There may be a entrance fee or a "buy in". Usually there are monthly payments that are set up to cover your rent, meals, other services, amenities and your medical care. Alzheimer's Care Facilities are especially set up for those who suffer from the disease Alzheimer's or Dementia and are usually programs associated with a nursing home or other assisted living facility. Active Adult Communities are usually rental communities for those who are 55 years of age or older. These units are usually maintenance-free living arrangements that offer an independent lifestyle along with some organized social and recreational activities with the older adult in mind.

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