A retirement home means something different to everyone. Senior living does not necessarily mean a place where people who have reached a particular age need to go because they can no longer live on their own. Although there are many assisted living facilities that do focus on helping seniors to find a higher quality of life, in spite of health issues, many are simply geared toward making life easier. A retirement home does, however, often raise the question of assisted living vs nursing home. Which is the appropriate choice for a person at a particular time of life, and, is it a necessary decision or a preferred choice?
Typically, a nursing home provides high levels of care for residents, often on a temporary level, while they are recovering or convalescing from some physical illness or injury. The idea is to help the person regain strength in order to be able to return to his or her own assisted living situation. Assisted living will offer 24-hour supervised care with three meals a day plus snacks in a shared dining area. Meals are planned by nutritionists and special attention is given to residents with particular dietary needs.
Assisted living apartments include a wide range of services to ensure that residents receive the type of support needed according to their own circumstances. There is assistance with managing medications, health care, personal care, and social services when needed. Transportation is arranged for outside trips, and there are housekeeping and maintenance services as well.
Choosing the right retirement home is often a decision left up to the children or grandchildren of seniors who are in need of a life change that will focus on their needs at a particular time of their life. Because quality of life is right at the top of the list of needs, great care is recommended in making this decision. The family member’s needs, medical and emotional, are usually the first consideration. Many assisted living facilities are geared toward a particular need that requires its own type of care.
For instance, a growing need these days is for perspective residents who are dealing with the need for help with alzheimers care. They will find that there are countless numbers of alzheimers care facilities that focus on different care options for types of dementia. Unfortunately, alzheimers has risen to become the sixth top cause of death in the U.S. This has necessitated ongoing research and the creation of new facilities where patients can receive the type of care they need. Statistics show that one of every three elderly individuals will succumb to some form of dementia, such as alzheimers.
When facing the need to find a retirement home that will provide for the needs and comfort of dementia patients, people will focus on memory care facilities that provide both medical care and activities for alzheimers residents. A residential care home will provide assistance with daily care, but may also employ staff members who are trained in the care of dementia patients. A nursing home will also have 24-hour on-premises nursing care.
Assisted living facilities are those retirement homes created for seniors who can still live on their own, but just require a little extra supervision. Many people enjoy their accommodations, and involve themselves in the diversified social activities that are made available to them. Strong friendships are known to have been cultivated between people living in a retirement home, and every effort is made by staff to ensure that resident’s quality of life is upheld.
There are different names used to describe retirement communities depending upon the care available to the residents. Also referred to as independent living, most offer particular packages that will include varied services. Other names that describe this type of living include retirement villages, congregate care, senior apartments, 55+ communities, and continuing care communities. All serve a similar purpose, but some include a particular focus. Assisted living allows seniors to live in their own apartments, but with the added benefits of housekeeping services and 24 hour staff available for additional safety.
As mentioned earlier, assisted living facilities provide a dining area where three meals are served each day to residents. Retirement communities are designed to cater to their residents on many different levels.
