Like many senior adults, figuring where you will live as you age may be a central question at the forefront of your mind. While you may love your big house with several rooms and a large yard, it may not fit your needs anymore. Taking care of a home may become too much work, or may be physically draining. Other options could better fit your daily lifestyle.
This is the time to investigate and research your care options. There are several options that can give you or a loved one a better quality of life while offering the freedom and independence you are accustomed to.
Senior Assisted Living
According to the National Institute on Aging, senior assisted living is ideal for people who need help with daily care, but not as much help as a nursing home provides. Most assisted living facilities offer different levels of care, with residents paying more for added assistance.
With this type of housing, residents often have their own room, but share common areas with other residents such as dining halls and recreation rooms. They are aided with laundry, three meals daily, their medications, housekeeping, and social and recreational activities. This option may be ideal for someone who still wants to keep their independence while knowing that assistance is just outside their door.
Active Adult-Only Communities
Active adult-only communities are real estate developments that offer independent and relatively maintenance-free living for residents over the age of 55. Often, the residents of these communities still work, but want to enjoy time with others their age that might have many of the same interests and hobbies.
Active adult-only communities do not assist in residents’ day-to-day living activities. Instead, they offer a community that can come together to enjoy activities such as golf, swimming, walking, arts and crafts, dancing, and exercise. They promote relaxation as well as socializing with family and neighbors.
Retirement Communities
Independent living communities offer communal living locations for active seniors. This might be an excellent fit for seniors who no longer wish to maintain their homes and enjoy living next to peers. According to Investopedia, rent at retirement communities can range from $1,500 to $3,500 a month. These facilities often include utilities, meals, housekeeping, basic maintenance, and transportation to and from appointments.
Long-Term Care Facilities
According to the American Council on Aging, long-term care facilities are made for seniors who are unable to complete the daily tasks required to take care of themselves. They might need assistance with activities such as dressing, eating, grooming, using the restroom, and bathing. Long-term care centers take care of those who are going through the natural process of aging, Parkinson’s disease, the progression of Alzheimer’s, or any other kind of dementia.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 70% of adults over the age of 65 will require some type of long-term care during their lifetime. Finding the right facility and doing thorough research is crucial to a good quality of life for any senior.
