Referral Program
Know someone? Tell them about Chelsea!
Three Things You Should Know About Senior Living
07/12/2024
TLDR:
If you’re considering senior living options, you need to know these three things:
- When to consider senior living options
- Types of senior living communities
- How to maintain your independence in senior communities
Life deserves to be easy and enjoyable as we age and enter our golden years. If you find this not to be the case, then it’s time for a change.
The change in question might be moving into a senior living community.
Senior communities go by many names, and figuring out which senior housing accommodation and environment is best for you and your unique situation can be overwhelming.
You may have seen or heard of assisted living communities, independent living communities, memory care communities, continuing care retirement communities, active adult communities, nursing homes, skilled nursing communities, etc.
We’ll break down the differences between each type, but first, it’s important to recognize the signs of when to consider senior living options.
Are you tired of the headaches that come with home ownership and maintenance? Do you need assistance with daily living ADLs or activities of daily living? Is it difficult to prepare meals or look out for your safety and hygiene? These are questions you should ask yourself, as each senior community offers something slightly different to accommodate people’s needs.
Types of Senior Living Communities
In this blog, we’ll focus on three distinct types of senior communities: independent living, assisted living, and memory care. Other terms you may have come across are often used interchangeably with these.
Nursing homes and skilled nursing communities provide more intensive medical care and are not necessarily specific to seniors. Nursing homes provide extensive, 24/7 long-term medical care for people who cannot live on their own, while skilled nursing communities are temporary residences patients stay in as they recover from an illness, injury, or surgery.
Independent living, assisted living, and memory care communities all offer older adults and seniors services and amenities that allow them to lead active, social, and fulfilling lifestyles. However, the level of care provided in each community will vary.
Independent living communities typically do not include personal care, but residents may sometimes be able to arrange these services depending on what the location offers.
Assisted living communities offer personalized care services with staff at the ready to assist with bathing, dressing, and more. Residents can request the level of care and support as needed.
Memory care communities are for residents with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Memory care specialists are trained to assist anyone prone to wandering or sundowning and can help residents maintain a comfortable routine.
How to Maintain Your Independence in Senior Communities
There’s so much to explore and do in senior communities. Most offer a variety of amenities and plan a yearly calendar filled with events and activities. Residents are free to participate and make use of as many or as few services as they’d like.
Some senior communities provide classes and continued learning opportunities for seniors, teaching them how to use the latest technology and other valuable skills, such as cooking or speaking a different language.
Residents also gain access to numerous communal spaces, including:
- Fitness centers
- Restaurant-style dining rooms
- Fully stocked libraries
- Indoor and outdoor pools
- Game rooms
- And more!
When seniors move into a senior community, they do not lose their independence or freedom—quite the opposite. Senior communities, in many ways, help enhance and retain their residents’ independence and freedom by enabling them to spend more time and energy choosing the things they want to do with the people they love.
Consider Chelsea Senior Living
Our residents at Chelsea Senior Living are living their best lives as they cherish their golden years.
Our independent living communities share a campus with our assisted living communities and memory care communities. The energy and support felt everywhere are unmatched when we’re together and having fun every day.
We can’t wait to welcome you and give you a tour of our beautiful campus.