Senior living. Assisted care. Nursing home. We’ve all heard the names over the years, but when it comes time to actually consider what they mean, many of us find we haven’t thought of any of them being our own reality. What’s more—the different names aren’t synonymous at all. So, what does it all mean, and which one might be right for you or your loved one? Here’s a quick overview of various senior living options.
55+ community
These communities are exactly what they say: communities for residents who are at least 55 years of age. However, beyond the age requirement, they vary greatly. There are neighborhoods where residents buy a single-family home, adjoined homes, or condos, while others are rental communities. Most will offer a variety of activities and amenities, such as social gatherings, tennis courts, or pools. However, the quantity and types will vary. Most will have some sort of homeowners’ association and will coordinate services such as landscaping, snow removal, and lawn care to minimize the physical activities often connected to home ownership.
Assisted living
This type of community can cater to a variety of needs, which range greatly by resident. They offer more independence than a specialized nursing community, but less than independent living. Residents will generally benefit from mostly—if not fully—independent living scenarios, but with the benefit of on-site support with daily activities such as bathing, taking medication, housekeeping, and meal prep. As the resident’s needs change, the level of care can scale to incorporate additional assistance.
Independent living
These communities are for older residents who don’t require assistance for day-to-day living, but who may need to downsize and would like the social benefits of living near similarly aged residents. Many independent living communities have social calendars as well as organized transportation and regular outings for residents. In many cases, there are also different levels of care, enabling residents to smoothly transition to living arrangements with easier access to care as they age.
Memory care
Memory care communities may sit independently, or within other communities offering this type of specialized care. These cater to adults with declining cognitive health, such as dementia, Alzheimer’s, or other specialized conditions. They provide 24/7 care, and in addition to certified healthcare professionals, feature a variety of safety protocols and features to ensure the safety and health of their residents.
Skilled nursing care
This specialized level of care offers aging residents graduated levels of support to accommodate assistance with medication and mobility, without the need to be in a hospital. Most will have dining rooms where residents are able to socialize, as well as potentially other activities, but skilled nursing communities tend to focus less on social and physical activities and more on accommodating healthcare needs to provide a level of comfortable living a resident would not be able to maintain independently.
There are a variety of community types within the continuum of senior living, and many will offer transition paths to seamlessly connect one level of care with the next as the need presents itself.
