|
Searching for retirement housing for yourself or a loved
is often a personal lifestyle choice and many options exist
ranging from resort-style golf course retirement communities
with amenities like clubhouses and activity programs to specialized
care units for individuals with dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease.
Fortunately, there are many types of retirement housing to
suite every senior lifestyle need from active adult communities
to skilled nursing care and assisted living communities. As
seniors age, some elder care needs grow. Many retirement housing
offer options in the level of care an individual receives,
and create "individual personal care programs" to meet health
care and personal care needs. Many retirement communities,
such as Continuing Care Retirement Communities, offer a wide
range of resident choices to accommodate seniors in the same
retirement community as their needs change. This enables them
to maintain their social network and participate in preferred
activities as long as they are able.
Choosing the type of retirement housing most appropriate
for you or your loved one, and knowing what to look for in
those facilities can include researching a wide range of options
and asking the right questions. The following list of retirement
housing options is a good place to start your research.
Active Adult Community
An active adult community is for healthy seniors who would
like to move to some sort of retirement housing, but remain
active within an environment that encompasses a sense of community.
Often members will purchase their homes and pay a homeowners’
association fee to cover maintenance, and resort-like amenities
and conveniences such as a clubhouse, pool, and other amenities
that are included. When shopping for an active adult community
you should look for:
• Security A quality active adult community will have a
24/7 security crew that will patrol the entire community.
Look for a security guard positioned at an entrance gate or
other points of entrance into the community.
• Satisfaction of Residents Talking to the residents who
are already living at the active adult community will tell
you
everything you need to know about the quality of living, staff,
security, and will answer any other questions you may have.
Interacting with those who live at the community will also
tell you a lot about the type of people who live there already
and may offer you help in determining whether you will enjoy
living there.
• Health Services Many active adult communities offer health
services even though most of the residents are in good health.
This benefit provides for an easy transition from independent
living to assisted living.
Assisted Living Communities
Assisted living communities are designed for seniors who
would like to remain living independently, but need some assistance
with daily elder care. Services can be added on as they are
needed, and include personal care, medication management,
meal preparation, and social activities. When shopping for
assisted living communities you should look for:
• Services Available A quality assisted living community
will have a variety of staff who are qualified to take care
of personal needs, medication management, and other services
as they are needed.
• Social Activities Many assisted living communities encourage
social activities among the residents, and will hold various
events throughout each week.
• Licensing The assisted living community you are considering
should meet both local and state licensing requirements.
• Living Accommodations Make sure that all the accommodations,
including the staff, suit you or your loved ones needs. This
includes safety, cost, friendliness, and any other requirements
you may have.
Nursing Home
Nursing homes are for those that require skilled nursing
care. These facilities have qualified staff ready to assist
with medical or personal care needs. They are fully equipped
elder care facilities with specialized training in various
medical conditions and common senior healthcare needs for
seniors who require 24 hour nursing care. When shopping for
nursing homes you should look for:
• Licensing The nursing home you choose should be licensed
by the state to ensure compliance with state regulations.
Review rules and regulations with them when you tour the facility.
• Staff Talk to the staff and ask for the staff to patient
ratio to ensure your loved one will be receiving comprehensive
care.
• Cost Nursing homes costs can vary. Inquire about the
services that are covered by Medicaid, supplemental insurance
and the anticipated amount of private payment.
• Rehabilitation and other specialized services Nursing
homes typically offer rehabilitation care, including speech
therapy, occupational therapy and physical therapy. Inquire
about any other specialized services required.
For over 11 years Stephanie Rice has been a dynamic
social worker committed to elder care and advising seniors
on the conversion from independent living to retirement housing.
She is extremely active in the senior community and has played
a major role in a Website dedicated to elder care and retirement
housing called www.FloridaSenior360.com.
Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com
|
